But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 1 Timothy 6:6-7
In a society where we are always encouraged to upgrade – to the latest handphone, car, house, job, educational qualifications, etc. It is hard to be content with what one has. And yet Paul teaches that godliness WITH contentment is great gain. So we should learn to be content with what we have.
But it’s hard isn’t it? 🙁
And why are we discontent? Because we are unhappy with our lot. Why are we unhappy with our lot? Because we think we deserve better. Why do we think we deserve better? Because we deserve it. Why do we think we deserve it? Because we have worked very hard. Because we are good persons.
Notice how it is always about us? Where is God in all this?
NO.WHERE.
Who cares about God? It is all about what I want and deserve. It is all about me! Not very Christ-like, am I?
So what’s the solution? As I was mulling over this for the longest time (this post was drated 6 months ago!), I think the points below are worth considering.
Focus on God
Let us put God back into the picture. Into our lives. If we would always remember to ask ourselves, “What does God say to our situation?” This question, this focus, will eliminate alot of discontentment. Sure, God wants us to have the best. But is the best a bigger house? A newer car? More shoes? Or does He want us to work on being content and developing our Christ-likeness for His glory?
Focus on what we have
We need to focus on what we already have and not on what we don’t have.
So I would love to have a bigger place or perhaps live in a condo with nice facilities. But I don’t – not at the moment at least:) However, I do have a home to call my own which is truly mine and not the bank’s! And I can make it nice and neat so that there is space to move around in the home instead of tripping over clutter. Be Pollyanna-like if you will 🙂
Do we really need it?
This is one more question to ask. Do we really need to spend $200 to upgrade to the latest handphone? Or is it just something nice to have, so that we don’t look bad when all our friends are carrying the latest gadget?
It is all about attitude and a mind set. Let us “set (our minds) on things above, not on things on the earth.” Colossians 3:2.
And this is a reminder to me as well! 🙂
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You have brought up very good points.
I know one of the things I struggle with is this notion of “me time”. It is thought of as a right, especially for us sahms. But like you said, when we think we have a right, and we don’t get it, it leads to discontentment.
It doesn’t help that this thinking is so pervasive, even in Christian circles, and there’s always people who will throw you the pity party and say – Oh! You NEED a break! You have SO many children, and they’re ALWAYS with you. You POOR THING! You need some time away from the children!
I am not saying that us mums don’t deserve a break. I’m just saying that if I “expect” it as a right, then I will be grumpy if I don’t get that break.
Teri Maxwell of Titus2.com has a mom’s corner on this “Me Time” – where she explains it a lot clearer. It has helped me tremendously. I still have a long ways to go in terms of contentment, by God’s grace I’ll prayerfully reach a point where it’ll be a lot easier not to get sucked up in a pity party 🙂