What Does Contentment Expect?

Contentment is a decision; it doesn’t depend upon circumstances. God has made astounding promises to Christians concerning forgiveness of sins and life after death. For that reason the inequities and difficulties of this life cannot compare to our hope in Christ. Yet, the person without faith or with weak faith often experiences anxiety and fear.

Unlike contentment, satisfaction depends on circumstances.

The Book of Ecclesiastes might give you the idea that all of the stuff between one’s birth and death is really quite insignificant. Over and over Solomon concluded that life within the created universe is meaningless. He had to look ‘beyond’ our earthly existence to find meaning. He had to look to God.

So, are we supposed to find contentment by quitting our jobs, selling all our earthy goods, and heading to the mountains to feed on berries while living in caves? Are the pleasures of this life bad? Am I not supposed to excel in life? Is it wrong to compete?

The Christians in ancient Thessalonica needed answers to similar questions. There were some among them who seemed to have been convinced that the second coming of Jesus was about to take place. As a result they had begun to ignore their responsibilities in life. Paul wrote to them with rather sharp encouragement (admonition).

In one sense, you might think that some of them actually saw the big picture. They realized the insignificance of the things of this life compared to eternal life. Yet, they seem to have been irresponsible.

They might have appeared to be content! Yet, contentment is not the outgrowth of irresponsibility (or apathy). Rather, Paul instructed Christians…

To make it your ambition to lead a quiet life and attend to your own business and work with your hands...so that you will behave properly toward outsiders and not be in any need.
—1 Thessalonians 4:11-12.)

So, is it OK...

• To earn a college degree?
• To strive for a good career?
• To start your own business?
• To go on vacations, enjoy entertainment, splurge on a fancy meal from time to time?

The answer to all of these is, "Yes, of course."

God doesn’t expect His people to quit living while they anticipate of the return of Jesus. In fact, God expects us to be responsible and to avoid being a burden to others. As for possessing wealth, there are many examples of wealthy people in Scripture who were faithful to God. Yet, wealth can be a stumbling block. So, Paul encouraged Timothy with the right attitude:

For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either. If we have food and covering (i.e. clothing and shelter), with these we will be content.
—1 Timothy 6:7-8

So, how can you know if your attitudes and choices are a matter of responsible living or whether you are being blinded by the lure of desire and excess?

The answer is as easy as evaluating the outcome of your efforts. Do your interests and pursuits produce anxiety and/or frustration, or is your joy in Christ sustained in spite of life’s inequities and difficult circumstances? In spite of not being satisfied.

If, after honest evaluation, you recognize that you are not content, there is a very real possibility that you are struggling with an inner sense to satisfy desires instead of true needs. It might even be that you have rationalized your desires by renaming them as needs.

Whenever a person can truly come to terms with chance circumstances and the ultimate futility of possessions, career, self-image, attention, intellect, etc., then and only then can he/she move forward in faith with an expectant view to eternity. Contentment is first dependent on one's faith in God and His promises. Then it is a decision to accept reality while maintaining a heart of compassion toward others and a life of holiness before God.

Mark Stinnett 

August 2, 2020