What is Contentment? - Philippians 4:10-12
Introductory Thoughts
The words content and contentment infer that one is satisfied with life's present conditions (Genesis 37:27; Exodus 2:21). Living contently is the opposite of wanting (Philippians 4:11) and covetousness (Hebrews 13:5) and is strongly associated with godliness (1 Timothy 6:6). Interestingly, contentment is a learned behaviour that believers must put into practice on a consistent basis throughout life. No one is born into the world content. Yet, once learned and practiced consistently, Christians will experience contentment in spite of any circumstance faced. Unfortunately, far too often, Christians exhibit no more contentment than non-Christians. In fact, believers seem to desire and covet the things of the world more and more with each passing year. This covetousness combined with a lack of contentment amongst Christians results in less godliness and a closer association with worldly pleasures.
Devotional Thoughts
-
(For children): God wants us to be happy with those things with which He has blessed us. Name some things you have that you really like. Are you happy with these things or do you find yourself always wanting more stuff? How could you learn to be more content? Why and how would this please the Lord and your parents?
-
(For everyone): Ponder for a moment your life. Are you satisfied with your conditions and possessions or do you find yourself increasingly dissatisfied?
-
Meditate for a moment on the things God has provided for you that are not directly associated with money. Can you name some specific examples of things that God has taken away from you that would have been harmful to you or others you love?
Prayer Thoughts
- Take some time to thank God for His manifold blessings upon your life.
- Ask God to give you a greater desire to willingly sacrifice and to be zealously content.
Song
'TIS BY THE FAITH OF JOYS TO COME
