The Blessings of Contentment
Whether you are on the verge of getting a new job, starting your own business, or living mindfully, we all can benefit from living with contentment.
What is contentment? It is a state of happiness & satisfaction. Merriam-Webster define it as "freedom from worry or restlessness; peaceful satisfaction."
Knowing we brought nothing into this world and we won’t be taking anything out from this world (1 Timothy 6:6-8), assures us to trust God to meet our every need.
Here are the 5 Blessings of Contentment:
Peace & Joy
Being Present
Living Selflessly
Giving Generously
Kingdom-Minded
I.) Peace & Joy
Contentment cultivates a grateful heart which in return produces peace & joy. The more content you are, the happier you’ll be because it doesn’t require much for you to be happy. Perfect peace is for those whose mind is fixed on God & not on their wealth. (Isaiah 26:3) Contentment does not come from position, power, or possession. Contentment comes from within. True contentment comes from being in right relationship with God. The more room God occupies in your heart, the more simple living you’ll be because you are fully satisfied & content with God; the blessings He gives us over the years are bonus (cherry on top).
II.) Being Present
It’s not how much you have in the bank that makes you happy, it is the people who you surround yourself with that makes your life worth living. Rather than stressing and working overtime trying to get rich, I’d rather be present & enjoy the life & people God has blessed me with. It does not require eating or spending our time & money at an expensive restaurant. It may even be as simple as trying different taco trucks & going to different parks to exercise & play “We’re not really strangers.” The most important part is: You are present to build meaningful relationships with the people you love.
III.) Living Selflessly
How much better would our world be when we learn to live selflessly? Selfishness is an ingrained trait we were all born with. Have you ever asked a two-year-old to share something and they refused by saying “No, It’s Mine!!!” It’s cute when they’re small, however, it’s not cute when they are adults who has the same mentality in their mid-40s. Through contentment we aim to live selflessly by seeing & meeting the needs of others. It is no longer “What can I get from this,” instead it’s now “How can I contribute to this cause?”
IV.) Giving Generously
The Bible teaches us that is it more blessed to give than to receive (Acts 20:35), but how would one give generously when they feel like they don’t have enough? This problem links back to stagnant growth of living selfishly. If someone only thinks about "Me, Myself, & I" then it would be difficult for them to assess the needs of others. On the other hand, when they begin to see the blessings of God as an opportunity to bless other people, and not merely as their own “survival kit,” they will boldly give knowing that God will sustain their personal needs. Jesus always multiples the little we have so we can experience the greater blessing He has prepared for us. When you are faithful with the little, He will continue to increase the little to an endless abundance.
V.) Kingdom-Minded
This earth is our temporary home. There is an eternal home awaiting for us in Heaven. Contentment shifts our perspective to see beyond the natural present world. When we are content with what we have, there won’t be room for discontent to spring up within our hearts. The blessing of contentment is knowing we have an eternal home with King Jesus. So whatever happens to our worldly possessions will not affect the promise that God has for us which is to never leave us nor forsake us. Even if some people had to go through bankruptcy, they are still able to get back on their feet and prosper because they choose to be content and give thanks in spite of their adversity.
We want the blessings of contentment, however, it is crucial to also be aware of the dangerous signs of discontentment. Comparison breeds discontentment. Unconsciously our mind will become discontent when we tap into the game of comparison. If not taken seriously this feeling could further lead us to greed, envy, or jealousy.
People who are discontent tend to focus on the negatives rather than the positives. It is easier for them to compare their life to their friends & family, & complain endlessly.
“But people who long to be rich fall into temptation & are trapped by many foolish & harmful desires that plunge them into ruin & destruction. For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith & pierced themselves with many sorrows.” 1 Timothy 6:9-10
Discontent hearts are never satisfied with what they have. They are always in pursuit of MORE, BIGGER, & BETTER! That's why it's crucial to have a heart check once in a while. Have the possessions that I own or the need to achieve greater wealth taken my most focus or attention lately? If so, then it's time to evaluate my heart & calibrate my focus back on the One who holds my entirety of life: Jesus.
Those who love money will never have enough. How meaningless to think that wealth brings true happiness! The more you have, the more people come to help you spend it. So what good is wealth - except perhaps to watch it slip through your fingers! People who work hard sleep well, whether they eat little or much. But the rich seldom get a good night’s sleep. Ecclesiastes 5:10-11
I personally prefer to have a goodnight sleep every night, how about you?
Keep your life free from the love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5
All in all, let us learn to live each day with such gratitude & contentment so we may enjoy the many blessings of God! If you got God, you have More than enough.
With Love,
Sharon