Contentment–being Satisfied
“Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.” (1 Timothy 6:6-7, NKJV)
Anxiety
Many of us tend to live in a state of constant anxiety. The news makes us anxious, Wars make us anxious. Sickness and finances are the biggies in most people’s lives. The Bible makes it clear that a Christian should not be anxious but an unsaved person should be. For the Christian we read, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6-7, NKJV).” The unbeliever should be concerned since the wrath of God abides on them (John 3:36). I wish they really believed that because then they would search for the peace and rest that comes with trusting in the Lord Jesus.
True Contentment
I believe true contentment is only available to a true believer in Christ. We have our eternal future secure in Christ. We are promised that the Lord will take care of us in a practical way. I am not convinced that the unsaved can enter into either of these promises.
King David reminds us, “I have been young, and now am old; Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, Nor his descendants begging bread (Psalms 37:25, NKJV).” No unsaved person is righteous but in this passage David seems to be talking about those who are seen righteous in the sight of God because of their faith and who act righteous as well. This Psalm deals with the fretting of one who sees the ungodly prosper. And while they do for a time, their eyes need to be opened to their latter end. King David says, “A little that a righteous man has is better than the riches of many wicked. For the arms of the wicked shall be broken, But the LORD upholds the righteous (Psalms 37:16-17, NKJV).” He starts the Psalm by telling us that the wicked shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb.
Our Day
If we only consider the events of our day we should all be concerned. Gas prices, food prices (the Bible calls this famine), medical bills, the threat of disease (the Bible calls these plagues), wars, murders and violence all could keep us awake at night. The rich are getting richer and the poor who are elderly are being told that their basic source of income (social security) is now an entitlement. One could ask, “What are we going to do?” I don’t know about you but I am going to continue to pray and have confidence in God’s promises as found in the Sermon on the Mount. He says and I quote:
“”Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble (Matthew 6:25-34, NKJV).”
Christians Have it Good
We do have it good. But sometimes we forget that God knows us by name and has a special interest in taking care of us. We have the Holy Spirit to guide and teach us, and we have angels to serve us. We may be poor but the Lord will never leave us or forsake us. I have been young and now I am old and I can honestly say that I have never seen those who truly love the Lord begging for bread. We are children of our Father in heaven and He takes care of His children.
Only the believer has these promises. But an unbeliever has an invitation, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28 NKJV).” Think of it–a secure eternity, and a promise that eliminates anxiety for our lifetime on earth. Why would anyone turn that down?
Bruce Collins
Meditation for the week of August 21, 2022