The Power of Contentment

Written By Aubrie Mason

Philippians 4:13, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. 

Philippians 4:10-14 [NLT], How I praise the Lord that you are concerned about me again.  I know you have always been concerned for me, but you didn’t have the chance to help me. 11 Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. 12 I know how to live on almost anything or with everything.  I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. 13 For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. 14 Even so, you have done well to share with me in my present difficulty.

Ecclesiastes 1:7-8 [NLT], “Rivers run into the sea, but the sea is never full.  Then the water returns again to the rivers and flows out again to the sea. 8 Everything is wearisome beyond description.  No matter how much we see, we are never satisfied.  No matter how much we hear, we are not content.  

“You say, ‘If I had a little more, I should be very satisfied.’  You make a mistake.  If you are not content with what you have, you would not be satisfied if it were doubled.”  

                                                                          —Charles Spurgeon   

1 John 2:15-17 [MSG], Don’t love the world’s ways.  Don’t love the world’s goods.  Love of the world squeezes out love for the Father.  Practically everything that goes on in the world—wanting your own way, wanting everything for yourself, wanting to appear important—has nothing to do with the Father.  It just isolates you from him.  The world and all its wanting, wanting, wanting is on the way out—but whoever does what God wants is set for eternity.


1 Timothy 6:6-8 [NASB], But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment. 7 For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it, either. 8 If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content. 


When we lack contentment we will…

  • Nit picky 

  • Complain

  • Irritable attitude

  • Negative words

  • Depression

  • Hopelessness

  • Distracted

  • Disappointed

  • Comparison game

Grateful—“warmly or deeply appreciative of kindness or benefits received; thankful.” 

  • A lack of contentment will suffocate the feelings and expression of gratitude right out of our hearts.

  • Our gratitude has the ability to produce contentment in our hearts.

  • Godly contentment begins by recognizing that Jesus is enough and His grace is really sufficient in all things.

Don’t buy into the lie that “contentment”…

  • Will make us passive

  • Will make us idle

  • Will make us settle for less

  • Will make us surrender our God-given authority

  • Will stunt our spiritual growth and pursuit for the things of God

  • …The exact opposite is true.

Aubrie Mason
Previous

The Power of Contentment- Part 2
Next

Spirit, Soul and Body- Part 5