Are you content? Do you have enough? Have unmet goals, less-than-ideal circumstances, and unkept promises unravelled your heart? Navigating this present world can send a dissatisfied soul into dark places. We may even yell at God. (Psalm 73) Scripture gives plenty of counsel on guarding our hearts from covetousness, cultivating contentment, and completely trusting in God’s care over us.
Solomon, a man who acquired it all, teaches “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” (Proverbs 3)
While the wonder of creation and the special provisions in the precincts of Eden should have sufficed, Satan tempted our first parents to doubt the goodness and trustworthiness of God, saying, “Did God really say?” The Deceiver created dissatisfaction with God’s perfect provision and they lost it all. (Genesis 3)
Coveting? Thankless? Entitled? Check your faith in the God who makes, takes care of, and promises “the righteous will not be forsaken or his children begging for bread.” (Psalm 37)
Jesus warns the rich fool, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” (Luke 12)
Pastor Timothy receives his mentor and teacher’s last words about life and ministry as a young man. The Apostle Paul says, “But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.” (1 Timothy 6)
From a dire state of affairs in Roman prison, perhaps death row, Paul writes to the church at Philippi, “I have learned, in whatever situation I am, to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”
“The righteous has enough to satisfy his appetite, but the belly of the wicked suffers want.” (Proverbs 13) “Do not toil to acquire wealth; be discerning enough to desist.” (Proverbs 23) “Better is a little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble with it. Better is a dinner of herbs where love is than a fattened ox and hatred with it.” (Proverbs 15)
Struggling to be grateful, satisfied? Remember God, who loves you well in his Son and our Savior. (Ephesians 1) He is the maker and caretaker of the world and everything in it. His wisdom and power (Jeremiah 10) can be relied upon entirely. You need not doubt His ability (he is God!) or his desire (he is your Heavenly Father!) to provide all you need for body and soul, “life and godliness.” (2 Peter 1) Even when unmet goals and less-than-ideal circumstances unravel your heart, he will work those to your good. (Romans 8) God has your life tailor-made. Be content – He knows what he is doing!