A Moe-Ment about Contentment

Contentment is a state of being happy and satisfied. Being pleased, fulfilled, and gratified. Not an excited kind of happy but more like a peaceful ease of mind.

This is our first episode of our new series called “A Moe-Ment” and the first topic is a moment about contentment. It is nice that it is falling on Thanksgiving week because having a grateful attitude is a part of contentment.

What are some of the characteristics of content people?

·       They are flexible, optimistic, open to new ideas, and can view life from different angles. They seek to see their situations from a spiritual point of view and get God’s perspective.

·       They put their faith in God’s timing, purpose, and ways and do not worry and fear. Prov 19:23 says, “The fear of the Lord leads to life. Then one rests content, untouched by trouble.”

·       They will most likely be healthier because being in a relaxed state of mind reduces stress and anxiety which takes a toll on our bodies.

·       They are more accepting and not judgmental of other people. They don’t react to or hold offenses. They realize all people go through things and all people are made in the image of God.

·       They love people more than money and possessions. Heb 13:5 says, “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you,’”

·       They realize joy does not come from material things. They can distinguish between wants and needs. They don’t have a constant need to strive for more. They do not desire more than they need, have joy in what they already have. 

·       They are satisfied with their current status, situation, and possessions. So, they are able to let go of past failures and live in the present moment. And they don’t have attitude of, “When I get this or that in the future, then I will be happy.”

·       They don’t compare themselves with others because that will get you into a mode of trying to “keep up with the Jones.” 

·       They do not envy or covet. I Tim 6:6-10 says, “But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have good and clothing, we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.”

·       They don’t let what they have be who they are. They don’t look disagreeably upon themselves. They are able to view themselves as God views them, not by the world’s or someone else’s standard. There is an internal goal to be content and they take steps to meet that goal.

·       They have an thankful attitude and keep their eyes on the one who supplies all their needs and who says, “Come, all who are weary and heavy ladened and find rest.”

Oswald Chambers says, “If God has made your cup sweet, drink it with grace; if He has made it bitter, drink it in communion with Him.” Turn it all over to Jesus and all your needs will be met.

Ask yourself, if you lost every possession and person in your life, could you still be content? Paul says in Phil 3:8, “What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ.” Possessing Christ is all you need. He is more than enough.

Transcript

Contentment is a state of being happy and satisfied. Being pleased, fulfilled, and gratified. Not an excited kind of happy but more like a peaceful ease of mind.

This is our first episode of our new series called “A Moe-Ment” and the first topic is a moment about contentment. It is nice that it is falling on Thanksgiving week because having a grateful attitude is a part of contentment.

What are some of the characteristics of content people?

·       For one, they are flexible and open to new ideas or new ways of doing things. 

·       They can view life from different angles. Most specifically, they seek to see their situations from a spiritual point of view and get God’s perspective.

·       They tend to be optimistic versus bitter, resentful, critical, complaining, and pessimistic.

·       They put their faith in God’s timing, purpose, and ways and do not look around in worry and fear. Prov 19:23 says, “The fear of the Lord leads to life. Then one rests content, untouched by trouble.”

·       They will most likely be healthier because being in a relaxed state of mind reduces stress and anxiety which takes a toll on our bodies.

·       They are more accepting and not judgmental of other people. They don’t react to or hold offenses. They realize all people go through things and all people are made in the image of God.

·       They love people more than money and possessions. They show people they appreciate them. Bible says to use your money for others. Heb 13:5 says, “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you,’”

·       They realize joy does not come from material things. Do you know of a single contented hoarder? There can be an initial high in buying something new but then it fades. How many things do we have in our closet that we never wear but just had to have at one point? Items that still have the price tag on them.

·       They can distinguish between wants and needs. They try not to buy stuff they do not need. This practice will keep you out of debt too. There is definitely unhappiness when you see the credit card bill.

·       They don’t have a constant need to strive for more. They do not desire more than they need, have joy in what they already have. Practice gratitude in the small things. Maybe even make a list to go over every day. Learn the joy of simple things that do not cost money.

·       They are satisfied with their current status, situation, and possessions. Someone said that seeing “the abundance of the present is enough to lead a happy and healthy life.” So, they are able to let go of past failures and live in the present moment. And they don’t have attitude of, “When I get this or that in the future, then I will be happy.”

·       They don’t compare themselves with others because that will get you into a mode of trying to “keep up with the Jones.” I know of upper middle-class people who are living very well and are unhappy and not content. You never have enough. And in our society there is always something new out there that the advertisers say you just have to have. Ecc 4:8 tells one story, “There was a man all along; he had neither son nor brother. There was no end to his toil, yet his eyes were not content with his wealth. ‘For whom am I toiling,’ he asked, ‘and why am I depriving myself of enjoyment?’ This too is meaningless—a miserable business.”

·       They do not envy or covet. These are sins. In society today, you can see how it is leading people to wanting to get rid of people who are richer than you so you can have what they have. I have watched many a real-life crime show where that was why someone was murdered. I Tim 6:6-10 says, “But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have good and clothing, we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.”

·       They don’t let what they have be who they are. I know a person whose identity was tied up in their possessions and when they lost their job and had to sell some of their possessions, they had a nervous breakdown. 

·       They don’t look disagreeably on themselves. They accept their looks, talents, intellect, and the gifts God has given them. They are able to view themselves as God views them, not by the world’s or someone else’s standard. Paul says it can actually be a blessing to not be perfect or have a perfect life.  In II Cor 12:10, he says, “That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

·       They pause when they find themselves unhappy or not at peace to figure out why and make adjustments. If they find an area in their life that they are unhappy about, let’s say they notice they have a critical spirit, they work to fix the problem so that they can find contentment again. There is an internal goal to be content and steps will be taken to meet that goal.

·       They have an ongoing thankful attitude which is the key. They keep their eyes on the one who supplies all their needs and who says, “Come, all who are weary and heavy ladened and find rest.”

Being content is not a denial of problems but an attitude in your problems. You do not have to be accepting and satisfied of an evil or wrong situation. But you can have an attitude that God is with you in it, will get you through it, and work it for your good. It is a supernatural peace and contentment that you cannot find within yourself or in the world. You can tell maturity by how a person responds in a trial. Trials help us to grow in the Lord and increase our faith so we won’t go through life without them. Not that trouble won’t come but that trouble cannot touch your spirit and attitude in the trouble because you trust in God.

Oswald Chambers says, “If God has made your cup sweet, drink it with grace; if He has made it bitter, drink it in communion with Him.” Turn it all over to Jesus and all your needs will be met.

Phil 4:11-13 Paul says, “I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.” 

Being content doesn’t mean sitting still either. Paul says he can do everything meaning he is out in the field ministering and doing the work. God has no problem with us trying to get a degree or working for a promotion. It all has to do with your motive for doing something and to make sure you are walking in the Spirit’s leading. Then when you are in union with Christ on something, you have all the strength you need to move forward.

Ask yourself, if you lost every possession and person in your life, could you still be content? Paul says in Phil 3:8, “What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ.” Possessing Christ is all you need. He is more than enough.

Living a radical life in Jesus means being content.