GRACE BIBLE CHURCH

CONTENTMENT by Paul Toms

“Life is very sweet to me and there is no position of power or wealth that could tempt me from the throne God has given me.” Is this from a romantic novel? Is this from a dreamer or otherwise not a world-related person? How can anyone be expected to talk like this?

Actually this was spoken by D.L. Moody, at one time America’s foremost evangelist.(Christian History, no. 25) Mr. Moody, like most of us, had plenty of reason to be discouraged, unhappy, angry at the way things were going, and on and on. Yet this statement was his strong profession of  contentment.  Is this really possible? How in the world can I be content in the middle of all that happens in today’s world? Most dictionaries, when describing the word “content”, will include the word “satisfied” as part of the definition.  So, can I really be satisfied in a world full of questions, evil, uncertainty, and daily trials?

Years ago an old man wrote to a group of people in a far-off church and he gave this testimony. “I have learned, whatever my outward experiences, to be content.” ( Phil. 4:11-Weymouth) Or, “I have learned to make ends meet in whatever situation I am.” (Phil.4:11-Ber.) So, Scripture instructs me to find contentment in life, under all circumstances. Here’s another quotation, from some one who lived in another generation-a very famous person. “Next to faith this is the highest art—to be content with the calling in which God has placed you. I have not learned it yet!” (Martin Luther, Leadership,Vol. 8, no.3) That same elderly man mentioned above wrote to a much younger man and clearly said to him, “—godliness with contentment is great gain. –we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. If we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.) (I Tim. 6:6)

Contentment is a character trait that not only helps you, but is a great blessing to others. God’s people have tried to practice and give instruction to others, in order that there may be a sense of satisfaction in what the Lord so graciously does for us. A wonderful servant of God who lived a long time ago, but whose writings help us today, said: “One who makes it a rule to be content in every part and accident of life because it comes from God, praises God in a much higher manner than one who has some set time for the singing of psalms.” (William Law, from the book, A Serious Call to a Devout and Holy Life—Christianity Today, vol.39, no. 5)

Here’s a good story—It’s about a mother and son who lived in a forest. One day they were out when a tornado surprised them. The mother clung to a tree and tried to hold her son. But the swirling winds carried him into the sky. He was gone!  The woman began to weep and pray: “Please Lord, bring back my boy. He is all I have. I’d to anything not to lose him. If you bring him back, I’ll serve you all my days.” Suddenly the boy toppled from the sky, right at her feet—a bit mussed up but safe and sound. The mother joyfully brushed him off. Then she stopped for a moment, looked to the sky, and said, “He had a hat, Lord.” Never satisfied!

Let’s pray that a new spirit of gratitude and contentment will settle upon us. It is honoring to our Lord for His people to be grateful and satisfied. He blesses us beyond measure. Let’s follow that great advice from Heb. 13:5 where we are told: “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, so we say with confidence, The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?”