Is Contentment Really Possible?
The problem with contentment, American-style, is that it denies our human limitations. We are encouraged to admire the supposedly "self-made" man or woman. We are taught to value self-sufficiency. And we assume that money will insulate us from chance, protect us from "the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune" - maybe even from death.
In contrast, the Apostle Paul claims he achieved contentment "in any and all circumstances." Paul's ideal of contentment is truer to life. We didn't create ourselves and we can't save ourselves from death.
In the last two chapters of Philippians, Paul describes a type of contentment that isn't based on self-sufficiency. It comes in grateful acceptance of his dependence on God and the sharing in the gifts offered by others. His contentment isn't the satiation of appetites but the taming of appetites. His contentment doesn't bring the absence of suffering; it brings the enablement to continue in service to the Kingdom of God.
Paul gave himself to something bigger and greater than himself. His life had purpose and significance beyond itself. He was not free of worry, pain or limitations, but he was content. Both joy and suffering come from beyond us and are bigger than us. Both say we are dependent and can never be complete in ourselves, that salvation and wholeness come only when we can admit we aren't self-made little gods.
It takes courage not to pursue contentment American-style.
by Randy Clapp from the NIV Couples' Devotional Bible
I am continuing to learn this principle; and I hope that we are teaching our kids to learn it as well. Even though we have had a fun summer of a variety of activities, we also remind the kids that there are things we don't do or can't do because finances don't allow it. I remind myself often that money (or more of it) isn't going to make life better. Life is already good. I have a loving husband and two great kids. We have a comfortable home with decent cars to drive. We have food on the table every night. Most importantly, we have a loving God and a Savior who have provided us with salvation, peace and a hope for the future. Money and material possessions will be useless in eternity. What will matter is that we know Christ and that we lived our lives here on earth to please him and not ourselves. Nothing that we do for ourselves will bring true contentment. I continue to pray that I can "be content whatever the circumstances" and that I can say I "learned the secret of being content in any and every situation." Philippians 4:11-12
In contrast, the Apostle Paul claims he achieved contentment "in any and all circumstances." Paul's ideal of contentment is truer to life. We didn't create ourselves and we can't save ourselves from death.
In the last two chapters of Philippians, Paul describes a type of contentment that isn't based on self-sufficiency. It comes in grateful acceptance of his dependence on God and the sharing in the gifts offered by others. His contentment isn't the satiation of appetites but the taming of appetites. His contentment doesn't bring the absence of suffering; it brings the enablement to continue in service to the Kingdom of God.
Paul gave himself to something bigger and greater than himself. His life had purpose and significance beyond itself. He was not free of worry, pain or limitations, but he was content. Both joy and suffering come from beyond us and are bigger than us. Both say we are dependent and can never be complete in ourselves, that salvation and wholeness come only when we can admit we aren't self-made little gods.
It takes courage not to pursue contentment American-style.
by Randy Clapp from the NIV Couples' Devotional Bible
I am continuing to learn this principle; and I hope that we are teaching our kids to learn it as well. Even though we have had a fun summer of a variety of activities, we also remind the kids that there are things we don't do or can't do because finances don't allow it. I remind myself often that money (or more of it) isn't going to make life better. Life is already good. I have a loving husband and two great kids. We have a comfortable home with decent cars to drive. We have food on the table every night. Most importantly, we have a loving God and a Savior who have provided us with salvation, peace and a hope for the future. Money and material possessions will be useless in eternity. What will matter is that we know Christ and that we lived our lives here on earth to please him and not ourselves. Nothing that we do for ourselves will bring true contentment. I continue to pray that I can "be content whatever the circumstances" and that I can say I "learned the secret of being content in any and every situation." Philippians 4:11-12
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