Contentment

     We all like to be entertained, and theirs nothing wrong with that. Enjoying your favorite book or TV show or video game is a great way to unwind and relax after a long day. Unfortunately we've made relaxation and entertainment a life's pursuit these days and that perspective has affected the rest of our experience.

     This thought came to me when I was listening to some old songs I hadn't heard for a long time and I picked up on a line that said “I'm alone and the world is having more fun than me.” I thought about how odd that line is and then it hit me. So many of us spend our lives in the dread fear that someone, somewhere, somehow is having more fun that we are. That we are missing out on enjoyment that we should be rightfully experiencing! It occurred to me that not only is this a terrible waste of our time, to be worrying about missed fun, but its also a sneaky way to let covetousness and discontent into our lives and our thoughts.

     Covetousness is a similar to greed in that we want something we don't have but it says more than I want. It says I want what you have and possibly that I should have it -instead- of you. I think it's a huge problem in our modern world, we can't just be happy for the things others have. It seems like more and more the first reaction to seeing that others have more than we do is to ask why do they have that and I don't? We mask it as dreaming for the future or in terms of Capitalism or whatever but its really nothing more than selfishness and wanting what other people have. Really that's what it all comes down to, selfishness and pride. As I've said before, the ultimate fountainhead of sin is pride. God would have us live our lives for others but our pride wants to make us the center of thought and attention.

     Similar to Covetousness is discontent. Actually the two are inseparable and serve to fuel the fire that burns in them both. To be discontent is, obviously, to not be happy with what you have. This can be a good thing when striving to do your best but the real essence of the term is to be almost angry about what you think you deserve but don't have. The Christian needs to understand that everything they have from first breath to that new job is a gift from God. Furthermore, every decision God makes is for the absolute best so if we don't have something there's a good reason for it! When we allow ourselves to wallow in discontent we are really challenging God's decisions for our lives and of course this just serves to encourage our covetousness. If we're not happy and thankful for the things we have we will turn desiring eyes onto the things of others.

     What we have on this earth is temporary whether its objects or relationships or employment. We need to ask God to give us a contented spirit that will remain thankful for even the little things. Only then will be on the right path to avoiding greed and covetousness and discontent. These things can rot your life and your relationships. Take care today to thank God for what you have and learn to be happy with what you have. You may just find that being thankful for a little will lead you to a lot more.

“Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."

(Hebrews 13:5)