The fear of the Lord leads to life; Then one rests content, untouched by trouble.
Prov 19:23
How nice it is to be able to rest contented and untroubled. But most of us aren’t in that place. There’s a certain restlessness in many people. They are always looking out for the next thing to do, see, eat, buy, etc…. Some who have chosen to stay home, look at their working counterparts and envy them and vice versa. The grass is always greener on the other side, isn’t it? But is it really?
We are also told in the bible that “godliness with contentment is great gain.” 1 Tim 6:6.
What is the cause of discontentment?
Coveteousness!
We want to have what others have! We are not resting in what we already have. There is much we can choose to be discontented about : our husbands, our children, our house, our lifestyle………..
By choosing to be discontented and coveting what others have, we only make ourselves miserable and sometimes, we make those around us miserable too! When we go on and on about how nice that house is or how lovely it is to go for holidays twice a year, or to how convenient it is to have a live-in maid, we are actually making our husbands miserable and teaching our children envy! We are not building our house up but tearing it down with our own hands! No, discontentment is not a good thing!
So what now?
Let’s take a look at what Paul says in Phillipians 4:12b, “I have learnt the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.”
What is Paul’s secret?
“I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:13
The secret is resting in Jesus and what He has done for us! We need to “fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith” Hebrews 12:2 and not on what others have. We shouldn’t be coveting a bigger house or car, more jewellery, more holidays….
Instead, we should be “(seeking) first His kingdom and His righteousness and all these tthings will be given to (us) as well.” Matthew 6:32
Before I end, let me warn you of the consequence of discontentment in our lives. Look to the Israelites as an example.
They were discontented slaves in Egypt and yet when led to freedom by the mighty of God, did not remain content but was discontented and grumbled and complained. They complained that their lives as slaves were better!
They complained about having no meat to eat and God gave them manna. Then they complained about not having water to drink and God gave them water from a rock! But they were not thankful. Nor contented.
Complain, complain, complain.
What’s the consequence of discontentment? Paul warns in 1 Cor 10:10-11 “And do not grumble, as some of them did – and were killed by the destroying angel. These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come.”
Let us instead “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever!” Psalm 136:1 and “Rejoice in the Lord always.” Philippians 4:4