CONTENTMENT

Ecclesiastes 5:10 He who loves silver will not be satisfied with silver; Nor he who loves abundance, with increase. This also is vanity.
Ecclesiastes 10:19 A feast is made for laughter, And wine makes merry; But money answers everything.

“I wish I could win the lottery – that would solve everything!” Would it? Or does it just raise the level of what you want? I have read stories of lottery winners that have squandered all their money. It didn’t solve anything. But it did create a whole new set of problems. Now some may say “that’s okay – I would rather have those problems than the ones I have.” Really? Without even knowing what that could mean? Why do we think that money is the answer? Because Ecclesiastes 10:19 says so! Unfortunately, we misread what is being said. Money is needed to buy food – solves that problem. Money is needed when we want to go out and have some fun with our friends – solves that problem too. However, it doesn’t solve everything. Solomon had all the money in the world and yet he still wasn’t happy.

What will make us happy? Contentment. If we are not happy with what we have, we will never be happy with anything else. Contentment is the key to happiness.

“I would be content if I could just have a bigger house.” I don’t think so. A bigger house may give you more room but it also creates a want to fill it with more things.

When you are sad or unhappy, how do you find comfort? Do you run to the Lord? Or do you run to people, food or things? You have heard of retail therapy. We have a bad day so we go shopping. There is something about buying something new that brightens our spirit. But why does it? It is just a thing. Once we get home, the feeling passes and we are back to where we started. Now we need to go shopping again. Retail therapy does not last long. We have to keep doing it. We spend money we shouldn’t on things we don’t need. Our house gets full but our hearts don’t. Only God can give us the kind of comfort that lasts and He doesn’t use things to do it.

When you are feeling down, pray. God can lift your spirit. When you are feeling sad, pray. God can put a smile on your face that doesn’t cost any money. Are you unhappy? God can fill your heart with joy. God is the answer to everything – not money.

Psalm 16:11 You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Hebrews 13:5 Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.

Philippians 4:11 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content.

When we are not content with what we have, it can lead us into sin. (the 10th commandment). Wanting what our neighbor has is an age old problem. Keeping up with the Jones’! Who are the Jones’? And what do they have that is so wonderful we all want it? Now we have entertained another sin – jealousy. We don’t like it when someone else has something that we don’t have. Along with that is envy. When we are not content it opens up the door to sin and more sin.

But what do we do about it? Well, the answer is prayer. Pray that God will give you more? No! Pray that God will change your heart so that you can be content with what you have. Talk to the Lord. Tell Him why you are not content. Do you think others look down on you because you don’t drive an expensive car? Does it hurt your pride? Oh boy. Now we have another sin to deal with.

Covetousness, jealousy, envy and pride. All because we are not content with what we have.

“How do I change things? I created a lifestyle I can’t afford so that I can look good.” Ahhh . . . so, it’s not that God didn’t provide but that your eyes were bigger than your paycheck. Changes will need to be made. Pray that God will help you get rid of the pride issue. Pride is what leads you into debt. Envy and jealousy keep you there. If we can get rid of pride, jealousy and envy will follow. Then our hearts can be content.

Change won’t be easy but it will be worth it. Think of it! No longer caring what others have. Just enjoying your own life. Not worrying about when the bills are due – because there won’t be any. Living beneath your means gives you room to breathe. The bills are paid on time and there is money left over. You would have enough. Contentment. Wouldn’t that be a great feeling?

Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture verses are from the New King James Version of the Bible.