“Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content” – Philippians 4:11 (KJV).
Lack of contentment is the major reason or cause of most societal ills and vices such as arm robbery, stealing or kidnapping. Greed often makes people to live above their income causing them to borrow or extort others. Unhealthy competition and craze to be like others often put people under undue pressure causing them to resort to crime and ungodly way of making a living. As Christians, we must learn to be content with what we have while we trust God and work hard for improvement of our lot.
Lack of contentment causes unrest, worries, fear and anxiety. But contentment brings peace and joy in the life of a Christian. Contentment is not mediocrity; it should not be mistaken for lack of drive or settling for poverty. There is the wrong mindset that if God wants us to prosper he will make us prosper but if not, we will accept our fate.
Make no mistake about this; God wants us to prosper financially, physically, materially as well as spiritually but prosperity does not mean one having everything he wants at any point in time. It is not God’s will that we live in penury or a beggarly life. “For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich” – 2 Corinthians 8:9 (KJV).
This and several other scriptures makes it clear that God wants his children to prosper. Note however, that prosperity does not guarantee that we will always have all we want at any time but it means having all we need to accomplish God’s purpose for our lives. There will be times of need that will demand patience, self control and discipline. God did not promise to supply all our wants but all our needs. Even in supplying our needs, there certainly will be times of waiting and believing God for the supply; this period calls for contentment.
Apostle Paul said that he has learnt to abound and to suffer want. In this world of competition and comparison, we must learn to be content with what we have as we trust God to take us to greater heights. Contentment comes by trusting God to meet our needs and so entering into his rest.
PRAYER: Oh God, help me to learn to be content.
Rev. Vincent Diolu