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Paul Said, “I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to
be content.” (Phil 4:11). Contentment means to have a feeling of well
being, that we have enough, that we can make do with what we have,
a feeling of sufficiency. There should be no contentment in religious
error, or in a state of lethargy where we are not doing what we should
be doing in life. However, if we are following the Bible, living a
righteous life, and serving the Lord to the best of our ability we
should have a measure of contentment. Let us notice today some things
in which it is vital to be content.
1. Be content with what you are in life. Everyone cannot be president.
We all cannot do the same jobs. We all cannot be preachers or even
public teachers. Ladies especially are not to teach in religious
matters in a public way that they will be usurping authority over
the man (I Tim. 1:11, 12). We all cannot have riches. We are told,
“But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought
nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing
out. And having food and raiment let us therewith be content.”
(I Tim. 6:8).
2. Be content with the marriage you have and the family relationship,
which is yours. If you have a decent, faithful mate then don’t
think the grass is greener on the other side of the fence because
it isn’t. There are disagreements in all marriages. There are
faults in every husband and every wife. If your mate is not
cheating on you then every other thing can be worked out. We
should be open to improvement in all our lives. There are many
thing husbands and or wives can improve upon but if at all possible
be sure to keep those marriages together. It is God’s plan for
marriage to last a lifetime and that a home with two parents be
had for the children.
(See Heb. 13:4; Mat. 19:3-9; I Cor. 7; Eph. 5:21-30).
3. Be Content with the Bible as an all sufficient guide in Religion.
(2 Tim. 3:16, 17). The emotional feelings that some follow in
religion are unsafe, unreliable, and contradictory. They are based
upon what some man has said and not on what the Lord has said, but
man cannot direct his footsteps (Jeer. 10:23). Let us all determine
to delve into that book and rightly divide it so we will come up
with God’s plan for us (2 Tim. 2:15). Let us speak as the oracles
of God (I Pet. 4:11). Keep in mind that to add to or take away from
the word is to face future punishment (Rev. 22:18,19). God speaks
to us through Christ and Christ speaks to us through the New
Testament (Heb. 1:1-3; 2:1-4; John 1:17). Hear, accept, and obey
the teachings of Jesus to be saved.
4. Be content with the church as revealed in the New Testament. Many
want to add what pleases them to the church so it will be their
church instead of Christ’s church. Timothy was told, “Hold fast
the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and
love which is in Christ Jesus.” (I Tim. 1:13). It is the obligation
of every Christian to do the same. Christ is the only head of the
church (Eph.1:22, 23). Every congregation is autonomous and when
fully organized a plurality of men serve as elders to over see the
work and as deacons to assist in carrying out the work. There are
also evangelists to preach, teachers to teach, and members to do
various works in the local church. Be content with Bible names
which glorify God and Christ
(Rom. 16:16; I Cor. 1:1,2; I Tim. 3:14, 15). Be content with singing,
praying, taking the Lord’s Supper on the first day of the week,
preaching the word, and giving on the first day of the week. These
are the items of worship as the Lord laid them out in the New
Testament. Any other things in worship are innovations of men who
are not content with how the Lord wants it done.
5. Be content with God’s plan of salvation. Jesus gave the particularS
in the Great Commission as recorded in Mat. 28:18-20; Mk. 16:15, 16;
Lk. 24:45-49). These things are carried out by apostles inspired
of the Holy Spirit as found in numerous cases of conversion as
found in the book of Acts. They preached Jesus Christ and him
crucified for the sins of the world. They taught people to believe
on Him, repent of sins, confess faith in Christ and be baptized
for the remission of sins (Acts 2:36-41; Acts 8:5-12; Acts 8:35-39;
Acts 10:34-48; Acts 16:13-15; Acts 16:30-34; Acts 18:1-12). During
his personal ministry Jesus Christ taught every one of these things
as well (John 8:24; Lk. 13:3-5; Mat. 10:32,33; Mk. 16:16). Be
content with this plan and obey it.
Let us learn contentment in vital things!
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