All this talk about contentment may leave you (and me for that matter) wondering if it is really worth it. Maybe I can just avoid the consequences(whatever they may be) by trying to put on a good face when things get tough and it will get better. Unfortunately if we don’t seek to be satisfied with what God has given us it will be painful for us.
I Timothy 6:6-10
6 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 And if we have food and covering, with these we shall be content. 9 But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith, and pierced themselves with many a pang (pain)
I find it interesting that in the passage above that Paul defines the list with which we should be content as food and clothing. That is pretty good distance from my list of things with which I need to be content but it is great insight and we even see many trying to engage with a more minimilist attitude. But those who want more (desire to get rich) will deal with all kinds of issues: they will
- fall into temptation
- fall into a snare
- fall into many foolish and harmful desires
- plunge into ruin and destruction.
- their love of money will expose them to all sorts of evil
- by longing for it (more than what God has for them)they may wander away from the faith, and pierce themselves with many a pang (pain
Sounds exciting huh? We need to learn to be happy or satisfied with what God has given us. Or we will face pain.
Life and times of the howitzers 
One of the comments made in an early contentment was that Paul said,”I have had abundance, I have had little. What ever the case I am content. For me to live is Christ! To die is gain.There are, we have to admit, many Christians, brothers and sisters, who are well to do financially. God said to handle the talents we are given. If we are given at first a talent and we glorify God with it, it will grow into other gifts whereby we can give God more glory and praise. Did not the scriptures say we will have crowns of gold and other jewels, representing our actions for Christ in glory? The best part is what we will do with those crowns. We will fall prostate at the feet of Jesus and place the crowns there for His praise and glory. I believe that God gives us when we are saved gifts and the grace to carry out each one of those gifts for His glory. I know that my Savior will never leave me wanting, here on earth or in glory. I have what I need, and I have Jesus. My Father owns all the cattle on a thousand hills and what’s His is mine because through Jesus I am Joint Heirs of my Father in heaven. What more could we ask for. Am I CONTENT? We all know the answer is YES.
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