Learning Contentment

We don’t have to be taught to voice our dissatisfaction when things aren’t to our liking; even babies know how to do that naturally.  And we don’t just outgrow our complaining nature or resist it easily, even when we become Christ followers.  But grumbling and a negative attitude tarnishes our testimony for Christ.  So we have to learn how to be content.

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

     Philippians 4:11 (NKJV)

Paul wrote this verse from a dark prison cell while being denied every comfort.  He spoke from experience because he had learned contentment in very adverse circumstances.  We may think that’s because he was an Apostle and such virtue is beyond us, but that’s not true.  We too can learn to be content by focusing on God’s sufficiency and God’s sovereignty.

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

     Psalm  23:1 (NKJV)

If the Lord is your shepherd, then He will provide for all your needs (Phil. 4:19).  But to claim this promise, there must be a personal relationship between you and Jesus. He must be your Savior and Lord of your life. But even then, you must trust that He will be sufficient in all your circumstances. It’s easy to look back and see how the Lord has provided for us in the past. And we may say with confidence that we’re not in want today. However, to be content, we must be able to trust that in every tomorrow, God will provide and we shall not want.

 Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.

     Philippians 1:6 (NKJV)

Contentment also comes when we trust in God’s sovereignty over all and that because He’s begun a good work in us, He will see it to completion. This confidence comes from knowing it’s His work, not ours. That work may very well take us through adversity and trials, we may be chastened, we may suffer in this life, but we can trust that it is accomplishing God’s purposes, for our good and His glory.  He doesn’t give up on us and He’s promised to be with us through all of life’s difficulties. That should help us be content in every circumstance.

 Now godliness with contentment is great gain.

     1 Timothy 6:6 (NKJV)

There is great gain to our character when we learn to be content, so let’s ask God to help us.  And when everyone around us is negative, let’s resist the temptation to join in and instead, speak of the greatness of God and the difference Christ has made in our lives. Our contentment will be a wonderful testimony to Him.

Revenge By Good Behavior?

 Teaching young people, high school-age or middle schoolers, is more like leading wading through a dense jungle together with them, than actually teaching, in a traditional sense. Yesterday, I was asked, "If doing good to people 'heaps coals on people's heads', are we doing good to people to get them angry? Isn't that manipulative?" I don't think that question would even occur to most adults. On the other hand, I don't think most adults ask about what they don't understand, at least not about the Bible anyway.

“BUT IF YOUR ENEMY IS HUNGRY, FEED HIM, AND IF HE IS THIRSTY, GIVE HIM A DRINK; FOR IN SO DOING YOU WILL HEAP BURNING COALS ON HIS HEAD.”
Romans 12:20 NASB

Well, I figured the best approach to any sort of answer was to examine the context. Here's the verse where the phrase is found. It's a quote from Proverbs 25:21-22. The reference to "burning coals on his head" is probably cultural, and doesn't mean what it sounds like. I couldn't find an explanation though, and it seems the imagery remains a mystery.

Paul doesn't just quote this proverb without some sort of helpful context. Look where it occurs in his discussion in Romans 12 (where application begins):

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation. Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men. If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY,” says the Lord. “BUT IF YOUR ENEMY IS HUNGRY, FEED HIM, AND IF HE IS THIRSTY, GIVE HIM A DRINK; FOR IN SO DOING YOU WILL HEAP BURNING COALS ON HIS HEAD.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Romans 12:14-21 NASB

The quote is bracketed by "Vengeance is mine, I will repay" from Deuteronomy 32:35 reserving vengeance to Yahweh, and the summary statement, "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." That last statement probably provides the best understanding of "heaping coals". It is probably not meant as a punishment as such, but more like an incentive to repentance. Although, vengeance of Yahweh could feel like hot coals on the head. Even so, the vengeance would, hopefully, lead the person to repent.

These verses leave disciples of Jesus with the clear call to treat those inside and outside the church well, even (or especially) when persecuted. We are to associate with the lowly, to be at peace with everyone, and leave revenge to our Savior. Bless others, join them in their pain and joy. Don't make it about you. And "be of the same mind". When does that happen? We are all about factions, differences, politics, race, sexual orientation, whatever. 

What would the world think of a group of people who lived out these principles? Wouldn't it be interesting to find out? I'm struggling with the part about not making it about me. I always seem to catch myself after I snack on my foot. But what if I really tried, worked at trapping that thought before I spoke? What if I did good, fed my enemies, treated them with kindness? What if I wept with those in mourning? What if I rejoiced with those rejoicing without wondering when good stuff will happen to me? What if I was like minded instead of contending for the wrong priorities?

What about you? Can this be you? Can you be like this? Will you? Perhaps we can help each other work at it together? What a thought.