How to be content

1 Timothy 6:6-11

Christian Standard Bible

⁶ But godliness with contentment is a great gain. ⁷ For we brought nothing into the world,
and we can take nothing out.
⁸ But if we have food and clothing,
we will be content with these.

Have you ever found yourself always wanting the next new thing, whether it be a new car new pair of shoes, a new pair of jeans just to keep up with the trends. Have you ever seen someone online post about a new product that changed their life and immediately feel like you need it. Just for it to arrive and not do anything special. Then the same process repeats itself and begins the endless cycle of buying things that you do need.

These are all traps we find ourselves in with this new era of Amazon, online shopping and instant gratification. We have so many things at our fingertips. I’ve done this so many times and even promised myself that I’ll delete the Amazon app on my phone just so I won’t order something off of it just to find myself doing it again within the week.

One of my prayers is to be content and grateful with what I have. To be content is to be satisfied with what God has given us and steward it well and thank Him for what we have and not long for anything more.

This isn’t always easy, sometimes it’s so hard to see other people with things we want, but there is so much beauty in gratitude and satisfaction in the Lord.

being content doesn’t mean we don’t have goals or dreams but rather we are not letting a lack of something keep us from feeling whole. Evidently nothing will make us feel whole but having Jesus in our hearts. If we have Jesus we already have everything we need

Philippians 4:11-13 captures it beautifully:

“I don’t say this out of need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I find myself. I know how to make do with little, and I know how to make do with a lot.  In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content, whether well fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
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Would you say you’re feeling content these days, or is that something you’re seeking more of?