Godly Contentment

But godliness with contentment is great gain.  For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.  1 Timothy 6:6-8
  

My wife celebrated a significant birthday yesterday.  She will be planning her trip to Florida courtesy of me, and she had all the grandchildren surrounding her for her special day.  Listening to her, there was this smile in her voice and joy on her face. She said to me, “I am so happy! There is nothing else that I want!” Now I’m sure that will last until the next Michael Kors purse goes on special, but honestly, I knew she meant every word of it.  She had reached contentment.  Nothing else was needed because God had given her all that she wanted.  Now some might wonder if her expectations are too low.  However even though I love giving her gifts and taking her out, they are an abundance of stuff to her.  Shouldn't we all strive to be where she is?

  

With contentment, we recognize the many blessings God has given us. I remember when I first got a promotion and writing a goal for myself to have a Mercedes-Benz in five years. But after five years, I bought an SUV instead.  Why? Because it was more important to spend future time driving with family than to have a name brand for a car.  My goal is not to point out that this choice was better than someone else’s (could have spent less, and again, we all fall short of God’s glory).  It is to share my realization that once I reached Godly contentment with my life, it became easier to make choices that had a bigger purpose than what I might have planned for.  That is not always easy!  Each of us will have moments where we need to make a big decision to choose something we worked for or have an opportunity to do, but we must always challenge ourselves to ensure that we have Godly contentment.  Then decide accordingly.

  

It is truly amazing to serve a God who gives abundantly.  2 Peter 1:3 says, “His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.”  If we understand this lesson, there is little else that we would need, right?  Where can you exercise contentment today and beyond?  My prayer is that we are thankful for all we have, and continually practice the act of Godly contentment.  Amen.