Phil. 4:10-13; Matt. 6:19-24, Contentment (2)

·        Caution: The idea of contentment does not mean that I won’t need to work so hard in my vocation, my calling in life; contentment is not another word for laziness.  The better question to ask here is, “what goals does hard work achieve?”  A study of passages such as Prov. 6:6-11 (go to the ant, you sluggard); 12;11; 20:13 and 2 Thess. 3:6-15 shows that hard work is the standard means by which God meets our material needs and gives us the ability to share with others.  On the other hand, over-work (to the neglect of other God-given priorities such as our family) might be another indication of covetousness (Ps. 127:2).

·        Contentment is reasonable:  It makes sense Biblically. 

o   To live base our lives on money denies the fact that money and possessions always depreciate in value (Matt. 6:19-23). 

o   It also denies the fact that greed is idolatry (Eph. 5:5) and that we cannot worship God and money (Matt. 6:24). 

o   Greed will also destroy our testimony that we are people who trust in God (Heb. 13:5-6).  This Hebrews passage quotes two passages from the OT (Deut. 31:6,8; Ps. 118:6).  The first contain words of Moses to the people and to Joshua just before they were to enter the land.  Israel was to be a testimony to God, El Shaddai, who was the One who enabled them to earn wealth (Deut. 8:18).  Greed would destroy that testimony.  The same is true today.

·        Contentment is for ALL of life, not just our finances.  Look at other areas where we are called to be content:

o   Prov. 5:18: physical relationships.

o   1 Cor. 7:12-13: marriage and divorce.

o   Prov. 24:1-2: our view of evil men.

o   Prov. 13:25; 25:16: consumption of food.

·        Is contentment a vow of poverty?  Clearly it is not.  We have been given promises by which we understand that God will meet our needs.  Two of them are in Phil. 4 (v13,19).  Consider 2 Cor. 9:8 in the context of encouragement to give to others: God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.  Contentment actually has nothing to do with how much money you have in the bank.  It is a view of life that simply says that is not an important question.  As Paul put it in our passage: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound.  Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.

There are two more thoughts about contentment to consider in tomorrow’s post.  For now let us focus on God, El Shaddai, God Almighty, the All-Sufficient One.  Let us also consider our testimony: what does our life say to those around us?