Godliness with contentment is a great gain 1 Timothy 6:6, HCSB
These days everyone is looking for contentment. “Do what makes you happy, Take care of yourself first,”and self-care are often the main focus of advertising. It is easy to get trapped into a discontented life by adopting worldly goals. The irony – looking for contentment in the wrong place only brings great discontentment. These goals always boil down to: More. Bigger. Best. Scripture defines them as indulgence, greed, and pride.
In our society it isn't normal to "step down." Once a certain level of income (or spending) has been attained, it is considered a failure to step down. Even if you didn’t care about looking like a failure, it is incredibly hard to scale it back when you are used to living a certain way. But is this concept of conservation and moderation really a loser's attitude? Not according to biblical standards.
God’s WayAlthough the Bible says a lot about the dangers of material riches, God's Word doesn't teach that poverty is the alternative. God wants us to understand that money is a tool that we are to use in accomplishing His plan through us. If Christians are to find true contentment, some basic lifestyle guidelines must be established:
- Establish a reasonable standard of living –
- Establish a habit of giving -Above the tithe, God wants Christians to be involved with the needs of others. Every Christian family should be directly involved with the needs of another family.
- Establish priorities -Your life should be free from the love of money. Be satisfied with what you have, for He Himself has said, 'I will never leave you or forsake you'" (Hebrews 13:5, HCSB). Too often we let what seem to be the urgent things take priority over the truly important things.
- Develop a gratitude attitude -True thankfulness is a state of mind and is not dependent on such things as good health and other important benefits. But, much of what we call "thankfulness" is based on whether we have accumulated certain assets. Until we can truly thank God for what we have - whether little or much - and be willing to accept that as God's provision for our lives, contentment never will be possible.
- Reject a fearful spirit - Obviously, God wants us to consider these things and even plan for them, within reason. But, when a fearful spirit dictates one's life to the point that giving to God's work is hindered, foolish risks are assumed, and worry becomes the norm rather than the exception.
Contentment, then, is knowing God's plan for your life, and looking to Him to fill every void. So, if you're discontented, that's an indication that you need to get serious about what God wants for you and seek His will for your life. And, once you've discovered His will, then you must trust God's promises. God did not give His Son’s life on Calvary to pay our greatest debt so that we can live in debt on earth. There is no freedom in debt. Debt sits on you like a boulder and if you dig yourself into a big enough hole, you quickly become hopeless. You can’t have the freedom God intends for you to live your life for the Lord, doing what He wants you to do, in the bondage of debt. Look to God to find contentment, not the world or things. Look to God and seek His direction for your life. Look to God for "great gain"
Scripture to Claim:
The peace of God, which surpasses every thought, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7, HCSB.
