How To Be Content

Articles

Marc Shotts
12/15/14 - Character

How To Be Content

Webster defines "contentment" as "satisfaction; happiness". The apostle Paul said, "...I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound...I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need" (Philippians 4:11-12). The Hebrew writer instructed, "Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have..." (Hebrews 13:5). Contentment is vital to happy and successful life as a Christian. Many times it is difficult to be content. How can we develop contentment?

1. Work At Being Content Contentment does not always come naturally. Paul said he had "learned in whatever state I am, to be content...I have learned both to be full and to be hungry..." (Philippians 4:11-12). Make an active effort to eliminate those things which cause discontent and be satisfied.

2. Count Your Blessings "In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you" (1 Thessalonians 5:18). "Giving thanks always for all things..." (Ephesians 5:20). The early Christians were instructed to count their blessings, not troubles. Could this be the key to their contentment? Many people only see their troubles. When given a rose, they only see the thorns. We can be content by counting the blessings which we do have. I sometimes complain about the need to wear contact lenses, but I need to realize there are those who can not see at all. Contact lenses are a blessing, be content with what you have.

3. Transfer Your Attention To Things Above "If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is...Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth" (Colossians 3:1-2). Jesus taught, "seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness..." (Matthew 6:33). When Paul wrote, "I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content" (Philippians 4:11), he was in prison! His physical circumstances were less than desirable, but he was serving Christ and looking toward heaven. He had his mind "set on things above" and was content.

4. Keep Busy Doing Good Peter talked about how Jesus, "went about doing good..." (Acts 10:38). If we follow Jesus example of staying busy doing good, we can learn to be content. When you visit and help those who are worse off than you physically or financially, you should start appreciating and being content with what you have. Visit and help someone who has terminal cancer, and see how content and appreciative you are with the measure of health you have. Visit and help those living in poverty and hunger, and see how content you become with what you have.

5. Learn Happiness Does Not Come From Material Things How many times have you heard someone say, "If I only had a million dollars, I could be happy". Solomon would respond to this person by saying, "He who loves silver will not be satisfied with silver; Nor he who loves abundance, with increase. This also is vanity" (Ecclesiastes 5:10). Look at the unhappy and discontented rich people in the news and Hollywood. Money can not buy contentment. Jesus warned, "Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses" (Luke 12:15).

6. Appreciate The Simple, Necessary Things Of Life Paul stressed this attitude when he said, "having food and clothing, with these we shall be content" (1 Timothy 6:8). David said, "A little that a righteous man has Is better than the riches of many wicked" (Psalms 37:16). Solomon observed, "Better is a little with the fear of the LORD, Than great treasure with trouble" (Proverbs 15:16). Develop an appreciation for the simple things of life and learn to be content.

--Marc Shotts