Content: February 20, 2014

Today's Word for Thursday February 20, 2014

CONTENT

DEFINITION     

Satisfied; easy in mind; happy.

SCRIPTURE

Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content. Philippians 4:11.

Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
I Timothy 6:6-7.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE

The apostle Paul wrote the two verses above, one to the church at Philippi and one to Timothy to help them understand the true meaning of contentment and how to find it. Paul was well educated and held an esteemed position as a Pharisee, yet he willingly gave it all up to serve his Lord and Savior and to preach the message of salvation to the multitudes. As a result he lived a hard life traveling from place to place, with no home and often without food, and suffering great persecution.

So why was he able to write that he could be content in all circumstances? It was because he had learned to rely on God for his contentment. As believers we need to rely on the Lord for contentment as Paul did. When God is blessing us with abundance we are to be content in Him. When we are in a state of crises we are to be content in Him. This is a difficult principle to learn but this is what God wants of us as believers and children of God. It is always easy to be content when all is going well but most difficult in a time of crisis

We see people all around us today looking to find contentment. Many people spend every moment of their free time sitting in a chair, eating food and watching the television or surfing the web on the computer. For them this is contentment. When the cable or the computer goes out they quickly get frustrated and there goes there contentment.

There are others that are content only when they are working and making money. For others contentment is going places or doing "fun" things. These things are very temporal and do not bring contentment that satisfies for very long.

We all know people that are never content. They seem to constantly be complaining. They seem to be lonely and unfulfilled and searching for happiness. They always want more but when they get it they are still not happy. They are basically a "pain in the neck" to their families and friends. The word contentment does not seem to be in their vocabulary, because they have never learned to trust in the Lord and not on "things."

As believers in Jesus we need to realize that the verse above from I Timothy is so very true. We brought nothing into this world and it is certain that we will carry nothing out. Whatever we have has been given to us from God. When we are thankful for what we have we will be content in whatever state we are in.

We have no control over crises that we may face like earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, civil wars or other disasters. God has a reason that He allows us to go through these situations. We may find ourselves in circumstances we are not content to be in but, God will protect us and bless us if we stay true to Him.

One final thought concerning contentment. We have talked above about being content in whatever situation we are in spiritually. But we would like to look at the word contentment from a different perspective. Most believers in Jesus today are content in what they have and where they are. God does not want us to get so content that we become complacent and neglect doing what he has called us to do. What is it that God has called us to do? "Go ye into the world and preach the good news to all creation" Mark 16:15. What is the good news? God loves us so much He gave His Son, Jesus Christ, to pay the penalty for our sins that all those who believe can be forgiven and live eternally with God. (John 3:16)

The Ten Commandments give us ten standards to live by daily. As believers we need to stand on these commandments and defend them when others discredit them and break them by their words and deeds. In other words --- Why do believers today not stand up for what they believe. Have we become too content in what we are doing and where we are?

LEARNING

Our memory verse for this week is found in I Peter 2:2-3.

As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the Word that you may grow thereby, if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious.

PRAYER

It is my prayer today that I be content no matter what I face today knowing that You are my Savior and Lord and that You are with me in all circumstances. May I be a leader of my family showing them how to be content in You through every situation, good or bad, that we may face. May I learn to stand up for what the scriptures have taught me and be a shining light honoring You