(Notes follow the video for the hearing impaired. We apologize for the “fuzzy focus” located near the end of the message.)

The first message in the Everyday Gifts series dealt with God’s gift to us of being able to enjoy the fruits of our labors.  In that message we touched on the concept of being contented with our lives and how understanding the spiritual principle of sowing and reaping adds to our ability to be contented.  Allow me to delve a little further into the concept of contentment today by looking at three quick passages of scripture that teach us about contentment.  If we can discover how be contented with our lives, we will have discovered another great gift from God.

#1–1 Timothy 6:6-8 NLT. [6] Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth. [7] After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it. [8] So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content.

            There are actually very few things we need in order to survive in this world.  Having enough food to give nutrition to our physical bodies is vital to our survival.  Having clothing and other types of shelter from the elements, such as temperature extremes, rain, winds, etc., is also important. 

            Beyond those two basic things, our society puts some demands that we feel are important, too.  We have become a very mobile culture, so ability to have some form of transportation so we can go to work away from our homes, go buy food, or take care of other responsibilities is important.  We also have a need for companionship; therefore, some means of communication or connection to other people is helpful. 

            I need to throw in a word of caution here.  Beyond keeping ourselves alive with food and shelter, we can convince ourselves we need many, many things to live and rationalize almost anything as a need.  Before we call something a true need to strive to satisfy, perhaps we should ask ourselves if we can survive if that item is removed from existence, not just from our life, but from everyone’s life.  We should ask ourselves, “Can I exist without ___________?”  If we can just admit we can live without it and still be satisfied with life, we are learning to be contented.

#2–Philippians 4:11-13 NLT. [11] Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. [12] I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. [13] For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.

            This passage presents the interesting concept that we can be contented whether we have plenty of food or not, that we can learn contentment while living with everything we need or almost nothing that we think we need.  The concept presented is that the amount of what we have is not as important as realizing we can survive on very little, if that is the situation in which we find ourselves.

            Please pay attention to what Paul says about being able to live with almost nothing to his name.  He says he can be contented with very little because Jesus gives him the strength to be contented with very little.  That is the “everything” Jesus gives him the strength to accomplish.

            Another word of caution—be careful to not use Verse 13 as an excuse to try to do something you want to do.  We all have probably done that because we have heard others do that.  I fear too many people take this verse out of the context for which it is intended.  Perhaps we should be careful about quoting this verse whenever we are working on a favorite project that is difficult to complete.  Remember that Christ strengthens us to be contented in any situation dealing with our needs for living. 

#3–Proverbs 30:7-9 NLT. [7] …give me neither poverty nor riches! Give me just enough to satisfy my needs. [9] For if I grow rich, I may deny you and say, “Who is the LORD?” And if I am too poor, I may steal and thus insult God’s holy name.

            The writer of Proverbs is asking God to help him have just enough to satisfy his basic needs.  He doesn’t want to be poor, because he might steal from someone and bring insult to God.  And he doesn’t want to be rich, because he might become arrogant and deny God’s influence and provision in his life.

            The desire to have more and more has been the downfall of too many people.  Too many problems have developed because people try to avoid what they call lack of what they think they need by amassing a fuller pantry, a bigger house, a larger boat, the latest tech gadget, a fancier wardrobe, a bigger bank account…need I go on?

            A final word of caution—If you think you need to buy something, write down what it is and stick that paper in a drawer somewhere and leave it there for a month.  Take the note out after the month is over, and ask yourself if you think you can live without it.  After all, you just did for a month.  Being contented with what you have after that month is a gift from God.

            I encourage you to talk to God about your own state of contentment.  Ask Him to strengthen you to be contented in whatever situation you find yourself. 

            You are invited to leave prayer requests, questions or comments in the space provided.  Your contact info will not be shared.  God bless.