Contented Faith

Contented Faith

Hebrews 13: ⁵ Keep your lives free from the love of money, and be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, “I will never leave you; I will never abandon you.” ⁶ Let us be bold, then, and say,

 

“The Lord is my helper,
    I will not be afraid.
What can anyone do to me?”

 

============

 

After assessing my “needs” I got frustrated and nervous. My car was approaching 300,000 miles and I still had bills. A position at work came with a car. I fixated my thinking on this position as my way out. I did not get the position at first so I complained to GOD.

 

• I looked at “everything” as being a mess.
• I was exhausted trying to keep up with expenses.
• I was not content with where I was with anything.

 

Paul, the assumed writer, gives some extremely sound advice. He probably saw how society focused on the latest thing, causing people to have an insatiable desire for more and more. Discontent over food, living arrangements, clothes and amounts of money needed to be addressed. He said “be satisfied.”

 

My Observations:

• Discontentment makes me deaf to GOD, but when I am content, HE speaks softly to me.
• Thanklessness makes me look at my stuff as old, worn out and embarrassing, but when I am thankful, GOD provides what I need at the right time.
• Unhappiness makes me see GOD as the problem, but when I seek joy over happiness, I see problems differently and know I need GOD to fight my battles with the enemy.

 

Satisfaction can be a fleeting thing. I mean, the world presents satisfaction as receiving pleasure over seeking GOD’s kingdom. Each moment needs to be compared to someone else’s life with visual proof that life is great, when it isn’t. GOD has a remedy for this quandary.

 

Contentment, thankfulness and joy opens my eyes to a special part of GOD that is beyond salvation. Yes, JESUS died for my sins and I am eternally saved, but what about this life? GOD knows there will be trouble and wants me to use contentment, thankfulness and joy as weapons against the enemy’s attempt to rob my great relationship with GOD. I am satisfied with where, what and who I am in GOD.

 

Challenge

• Why does the writer mention abandonment when it comes to money?
• Have you ever thought GOD was not with you because of your lack of funds or things or people were not acting like you wanted them to?
• Will you use contentment, thankfulness and joy as weapons against the enemy’s attack on you so you can be satisfied wherever GOD sends you today?

Rich and Satisfied

Rich and Satisfied

1 Timothy 6: They think that religion is a way to become rich.

⁶ Well, religion does make us very rich, if we are satisfied with what we have. ⁷ What did we bring into the world? Nothing! What can we take out of the world? Nothing! ⁸ So then, if we have food and clothes, that should be enough for us. ⁹ But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and are caught in the trap of many foolish and harmful desires, which pull them down to ruin and destruction. ¹⁰ For the love of money is a source of all kinds of evil. Some have been so eager to have it that they have wandered away from the faith and have broken their hearts with many sorrows.

 

============

 

Lugging the latest camcorder and a suitcase full of items of convenience, I went on my first mission’s trip. I thought I had seen poor people before, but this place really opened my eyes. We went out into the rural area and ran into a family. When we stopped, the owner of the “hut” invited us over. He bragged that he had a cow, chickens and a lemon tree. He was satisfied and I was worried about my material things.

 

• I wanted the latest things.
• I wanted more and more comfort items.
• I wanted to be satisfied, but never could find it.

 

Paul spoke harshly about false preachers whose purpose in life was to dream up other philosophies outside of JESUS to become rich. He then speaks to Timothy about the dangers of pursuing becoming rich. He explains “foolish and harmful desires” can and will pull them into ruin and destruction.

 

My Observations

• Being content with what GOD has provided is more important than the next latest thing.
• Being satisfied with what HE has done changes my attitude about what HE should be doing.
• Being gratified is a position of thanksgiving GOD gets excited about when I supply it.

 

True wealth comes from knowing GOD and by belief in JESUS as the Savior. I mean, HE gives me all the warning signs to avoid and provides a path to contentment. Unfortunately, the world tries to pull me away from being content.

 

The need for more stuff, more clothes, more gadgets and more storage for the stuff makes me discontent. The insatiable appetite of wanting more then drives me to worry, work impossible hours and lie about “needing” the stuff for self-care. I am glad GOD opens my eyes to my lusts so HE can make me satisfied with what HE has given me..

 

Challenge

• What does the writer say about loving money?
• Have you ever worried about finances so much that you got mad at GOD?
• What would happen if you had less than what you have now?
• Will you be satisfied, content and gratified over what GOD has provided and praise HIM for HIS provisions today?

Fulfilled

 

Fulfilled

2 Thessalonians 1: ¹¹ That is why we always pray for you. We ask our God to make you worthy of the life he has called you to live. May he fulfill by his power all your desire for goodness and complete your work of faith. ¹² In this way the name of our Lord Jesus will receive glory from you, and you from him, by the grace of our God and of the Lord Jesus Christ.

 

============

 

Life had gotten hard during this stretch of time. My car was barely working, I had debt up to my ears and barely enough income to pay monthly bills. I watched a commercial of people winning large sums of money by simply having a magazine subscription. I tried it, no payoff. I played the lottery in months to follow. I bought one ticket. Each number miraculously was off by one digit.

 

• I was jealous of someone “winning” money.
• I was frustrated that I had no money and no way to get out of debt, or so I thought.
• I wondered why “everyone else” seemed to be doing better than me.

 

Paul, Silas and Timothy provide a prayer for everyone who believes in JESUS as the Savior. They knew it is not possible for a human to be worthy of GOD’s calling, so they prayed for GOD to make them worthy. They also prayed for desires for goodness to be fulfilled by GOD and for everyone to complete their work of faith.

 

My Observations

• Life is more than money and GOD wants me to be fulfilled by desiring what HE thinks is good.
• Only GOD can declare me “worthy” of the life HE called me to.
• Tasks given to me by GOD require my work of faith.

 

Life is not easy. I mean, it seems when one challenge is over, another pops up. Why can’t things just be peaceful? But they are sometimes turbulent. GOD sees when I look at life on the surface and get worried. HE provides an answer.

 

GOD calls me to serve HIS people. Wait… Don’t I have problems? Yes, BUT GOD sees beyond my problems and knows the true reward HE is storing up for me in heaven. HE places the HOLY SPIRIT inside me to prompt me to desire goodness and to complete my work of faith. I am glad GOD cares enough for me to call me to do HIS work.

 

Challenge

• What are the writers praying about?
• Have you ever felt your life is unfulfilled?
• Will you ask GOD to guide your desires to HIS goodness so HE will give you a work of faith to do, so your life will be abundant and fulfilled today?

 

Prayer

Dear LORD, please bless this reader with a calling that is worthy to YOU. Bless him or her to be fulfilled by desiring YOUR goodness. Clear the path to help us complete our work of faith. amen

Learned Satisfaction

Learned Satisfaction

Philippians 4: ¹² I know what it is to be in need and what it is to have more than enough. I have learned this secret, so that anywhere, at any time, I am content, whether I am full or hungry, whether I have too much or too little. ¹³ I have the strength to face all conditions by the power that Christ gives me.

 

============

 

Tired of being poor, I sat and pouted. “Why do ‘bad’ people seem to get their way in life?” was my complaint to GOD. After my complaint, my car broke down. “This isn’t fair!” I complained.

 

• I was not satisfied with my life.
• Most of my thoughts and words were on problems in my life.
• “Everything” seemed bleak and I was not satisfied with the way things were.

 

At one time Paul was not content. He read the Law with fervor and was discontent with how other people lacked his conviction. He had people murdered because of his discontentment. GOD had to teach him a new way. He learned how to be content.

 

My Observations

• Being in need has a purpose with GOD that I sometimes do not understand.
• Having plenty can be dangerous because I can quickly forget I need GOD.
• Being content when I am in need or have plenty takes practice and is a gift given only from GOD.

 

Contentment is detestable to those who are never satisfied. I mean, if things have to go a certain way, those who are discontent will never reach satisfaction. After a while, even GOD cannot provide enough.

 

My discontentment can be detestable to GOD. Fortunately, HE understands. HE gently takes things away that I do not need and gives me an opportunity to say “Thank YOU for all YOU have done.” HE gives me things and I can say “Thank YOU for all YOU have done.” Yes it is the same statement because everything is HIS. I am glad HE gives me chances to learn how to be content.

 

Challenge

• How long do you think it took the writer to learn how to be content?
• Are there parts of your life that you are not satisfied with?
• Do you have complaints, worries or are dissatisfied with anything or anyone?
• Will you learn from GOD how to be satisfied in your situation, so you can be satisfied with other people HE wants to save today?

Throw away Discontentment

Psalm 67; ³ May the peoples praise you, God;
    may all the peoples praise you.
⁴ May the nations be glad and sing for joy,
    for you rule the peoples with equity
    and guide the nations of the earth.
⁵ May the peoples praise you, God;
    may all the peoples praise you.

============

Eight o’clock at night was the final phone call from the bill collector. My car was a junker and I barely made enough for rent. I hated going to the job because I could never get out of working to live and living to work. I went to bed grumpy and woke up the same way. How am I supposed to make it?

• When I am frustrated I do not have words of praise.
• When I am angry I do not have words of praise.
• When I am frightened I do not have words of praise.

Mt prayer life had been reduced to nil. I shrunk back away from the gawkers who ask “how are you doing”, knowing they really didn’t want to know. I really felt as if no one cared. BUT GOD said something different.

• GOD said to me “I AM here with you right now.”
• GOD said to me “The reason I say do not fear is because I have you protected.”
• GOD said to me “I see you and I know you and MY plan for you is great.”

I slowly began to pray again. Not daily, but here and there. My grumpy cloudy thinking cleared up to sunny skies. I was in the same situation but realized I was the one who wanted something different to happen and had not realized that GOD was blessing me. I soon realized that the quicker I can accept a situation, the faster my contentment can come.  I don’t mean I have to remain stagnant, but I can accept obstacles and keep moving.

I focused on my studies and graduated a year and a half later. GOD taught me an important lesson, start being content in the middle of the storm rather than waiting on the storm to end. This means thanking HIM and praising HIM and recognizing HIM even when things don’t seem to be going my way. HE IS there for me always!

• Are you lacking contentment?
• Do you yearn to be in another place in your life?
• Can you start being content in the middle of problems?
• Will you recognize the calling GOD has you in to see HE is opening your eyes to people you can now relate to?

Peaceful Contentment

Philippians 4: ¹²I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 

I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

============

Money was my motivator. You want me to do something, show me the money. Little did I know I had a greater motivator, namely fear. When the account was slipping away from us I worked extremely hard to keep everything going.

I worked thirty six hours straight, forsaking meals and family. We still lost the account and I found myself on the “bench.” “If I stayed there too long I could lose my job”, I thought to myself. I missed the fact that leaving my family and forgetting my health may have caused problems. 

• When I am poor I worry about paying bills.
• When I am in the middle I worry about becoming rich.
• When I am rich I worry about losing my wealth.
• When I am discontent I complain about GOD’s plan.

Each of my worries shows my discontentment. GOD couldn’t possibly be right with “this” plan I would think to myself. I mean HE wants me to keep moving forward right? Maybe… but with what kind of attitude?

It seems like I am always waiting for the other shoe to drop. In other words I am always waiting for things to “get better” rather than looking at the greatness that’s going on around me. 

• GOD wants me to have peace in the middle of each storm.
• GOD wants me to be content when HE gives me plenty and when HE takes my wealth away.
• GOD wants me to have peace during times of crisis.
• GOD wants me to be content when things aren’t going quite the way I planned.

From the inconvenient car accident to the bag of money falling out of the sky, GOD wants me to view HIS plan as being great. HE desires that I follow HIM and look to HIM for my strength rather than looking at my wealth.

• Are you seeking more money or more stuff?
• What trinket or gadget or title or group is holding you back from your contentment?
• Can you assess you desire to see if it is greater than your love for GOD?
• Are you willing to leave that thing and accept what GOD wants you to have?
• Can you focus your ambitions on what GOD wants?

I’ll do anything for money!

Hebrews 13: ⁵ Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said,

   “Never will I leave you;
   never will I forsake you.”

============

Snow, snow, snow was the prediction last week and boy they were right for a change! Before the big snowstorm hit I threw some bread crumbs out on the patio for the birds from some old stale buns. I also threw some sunflower seeds on the step.

Then the big storm hit! Fifty mile per hour winds blew the tops off my barbeque grills that sat “on the patio.” When the storm was over I went to the front of the house and 3’ 6” drifts conquered our driveway. When I looked in the backyard drifts were the same except in one small area. The breadcrumbs were still there and so were the sunflower seeds! Birds gathered and ate!

• Loving money is truly a problem.
• Loving money causes me to worry when I don’t have it.
• Loving money makes me fight anyone to try to keep it.
• Loving money distracts me from giving.
• Loving money thwarts any efforts of being generous.

Generosity is not a factor of how much wealth I have rather I am either generous or not. I have seen many people with far less than I have be far more generous. Unfortunately my generosity has been guided by how much I see in the bank rather than what GOD sees in me.

• If I don’t have money then I can share my home.
• If I don’t have a home then I can share my food.
• If I don’t have food then I can share my joy.

GOD wants me to be content so I can cheerfully give to others. HIS church is comprised of people with needs and HE wants me to meet those needs without worry.  When I saw the birds feasting on breadcrumbs GOD had preserved I remembered that HE takes care of them, wouldn’t HE take care of me that much more?

Being content takes practice. Bills piled high and income low doesn’t always put me in the place where the words “be content” add comfort to my worries. BUT GOD does mean “be content” during tough times.

• Be content during times of plenty.
• Be content during very lean times.
• Be content during peaceful situations.
• Be content during trials.

Being content helps me keep the right perspective which is focused on GOD’s wealth, not mine!

• Are you content with your current situation?
• What are you worried about?
• Can you release your worries and focus on GOD’s strength?
• Do you have joy in your heart no matter what the circumstance?

Am I driven by “stuff”?

Philippians 4:  ¹⁰ I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. ¹¹ I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.

¹² I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. ¹³ I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

============

School was about to begin in September which meant new clothes, but this time the shopping was different; my father was taking me instead of my mother. Now don’t get me wrong, Mom stood firm on the budget, but dad… well. “Let’s go to Goldblatt’s” is the exclamation that began our downward spiral of pitiful shopping.

When we arrived he said “here are some pants” of course this was a box of pants of all sizes and colors that had been rummaged through. “Can’t we go somewhere else?” I said, thinking I was going to get something with a little fashion. “Yes, we can go home!”

• Being discontent blinds me to real blessings.
• Being discontent fuels my complaints.
• Being discontent starts my worries.

Having nice things isn’t bad, nor is “not having” them. GOD wants me to be content with HIS plan no matter what state I’m in. What does being content mean?

• Being content means I can praise GOD no matter what the circumstance.
• Being content means I can tell people about what JESUS did for me in good or bad times.
• Being content means I can refrain from complaining long enough to tell someone about GOD’s greatness.

It actually is harder for me to be content when I have plenty. I know this is strange, but I find myself holding onto things more than I hold onto GOD. I lay awake worrying if my “stuff” will be taken or if I have enough money for “more stuff.”

Now I can see why GOD says “The love of money is the root or beginning of all kinds of evil.” My love of “stuff” can blind me to the real blessing which is GOD. In times of plenty GOD wants me to share my wealth. In lean times HE wants me to give up my pride and praise HIM anyway.

• Are you content with your situation?
• Have you been a chronic complainer?
• Do you see the blessings of GOD or are you blind?
• When someone points out a blessing to you do you say “yeah, but?”