Tuesday, March 23, 2021
Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. 1 Timothy 6:6-8
Steps to Finding True Peace and Contentment
Although many Scriptures teach about the dangers of material
riches, God's Word does not teach that poverty is God's alternative. God wants
us to understand that money is a tool to use in accomplishing His plan through
us. If we are to find true contentment we must establish some basic guidelines.
Establish a reasonable standard of living. It is important to develop a lifestyle based on conviction, not circumstances. God will assign Christians at every economic level. On whatever level He has placed you, live within the economic parameters established and supplied by Him. Just having abundance is not a sign of God's blessings. Satan can easily duplicate any worldly riches. God's abundance is without sorrow and is for the purpose of bringing others to Christ.
2.
Establish
a habit of giving. Along with the tithe, God desires that every Christian
provide for the needs of others through the giving of offerings, gifts, and
personal involvement.
3.
Establish
priorities. Many Christians are discontented—not because they aren't doing
well but because others are doing better. Too often Christians look at what
they don't have and become dissatisfied and discontented, rather than thanking
God for what they do have and being content with what He has supplied.
4.
Develop a
thankful attitude. It is remarkable that in America we could ever think
that God has failed us materially. That attitude is possible only when we allow
Satan to convince us to compare ourselves to others. The primary defense
against this attitude is praise to God. Satan uses lavishness and waste to
create discontent and selfish ambition. Thankfulness is a state of mind, not an
accumulation of assets. Until Christians can truly thank God for what they have
and be willing to accept God's provision, contentment will never be possible.
5.
Reject a
fearful spirit. One of the most effective tools used by Satan against
Christians is the question, "What
if?" Dedicated Christians get trapped into hoarding because they fear
the "What if?" of retirement,
disability, unemployment, economic collapse, and so on. Although God wants us
to be concerned about these things, when fears dictate to the point that giving
to God is hindered, foolish risks are assumed, and worry seems to control every
decision, contentment is impossible.
6.
Seek
God's will. "More than that, I count all things to be loss in view
of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have
suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain
Christ" (Philippians 3:8).
7.
Stand up
to fear. "I can do all things through Him who strengthens
me" (Philippians 4:13).
8.
Trust
God's promise. "The peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension,
will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:7).
Contentment is so far removed from many Christians that it seems that they will never be able to find it or be at peace. However, contentment is not something that must be searched for and found. It is an attitude of the heart. It's not the clothes, it's not the car, it's not the house that makes the man or woman. The world may rate your value by these things, but the world will pass away. God is eternal and His judgement is the one that counts. His value is us has nothing to do with what we wear, what we drive, or where we live. When we realize in our hearts that God is the only thing we need, He will be the only thing we want. He is the only thing that can fill the void we are constantly seeking to fill.
