“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 be therewith content.” I Timothy 6:6-8

Webster’s 1828 Dictionary says to be discontented means – “Want of content; uneasiness or inquietude of mind; dissatisfaction at any present state of things.”

I have been thinking a lot on contentment the past few days.

God’s word says, “Hell and destruction are never full; so the eyes of man are never satisfied.”

There is something in man {a sinful, fallen something} that causes him to always be restless and discontented.

We somehow think if we only had _________ {you fill in the blank} we would be happy.

“C.H. Spurgeon said, “… The mind of man is like the daughters of the horseleech, which cry for ever, “Give, give.”

This is an indication of our rebellion and willful ignorance of His Word.

God has told us that “godliness with contentment is great gain”

“A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked.” {Psalm 37:16} In our hearts we often reject what God says in His word.

Matthew Henry stated, “…all truly godly people have learned with Paul, in whatever state they are, to be therewith content, They are content with what God allots for them, well knowing that this is best for them. Let us all then endeavour after godliness with contentment.”

Jeremiah Burroughs in his little booklet, The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment defines contentment thus, “Christian contentment is that sweet, inward, quiet, gracious frame of spirit, which freely submits to and delights in God’s wise and fatherly disposal in every condition.”

He went on to say; “Oh, that we could but convince men and women that a murmuring spirit is a greater evil than any affliction, whatever the affliction!”  – ibid

Often times we think that if we had more of this worlds goods we would be happy.

A fine preacher by the name of Earl Hughes used to jokingly say, “Money can’t buy happiness but it sure can drive misery away”

If we would only use our spiritual common sense we would notice that those who live in luxury are not always happy.

In his book No Holiness, No Heaven!, Dr. Richard Alderson said, “God calls us, not to happiness, but to holiness. Of course, to be holy is of necessity also to be happy, but we are to seek after holiness…. If we seek happiness we shall get neither that {happiness} nor holiness” ([Edinburgh: Banner of Truth Trust, 1986], p. 74).

I am not saying we should not try to improve ourselves or our situation. I am saying we should be content wherever God has placed us.

As a preacher friend of mine said years ago “Bloom where you’re planted”.

I couldn’t help wondering how the Apostle Paul might think of our incessant whining and discontentment. He had learned that whatsoever state he was in, therewith to be content. {Philippians 4:11-13}

Very often we complain about everything. Our house, our church, our car, our spouse, our kids, our job…never satisfied or as Webster put it, “dissatisfaction at any present state of things”                                                                                                                                            

We have a tendency to be a restless lot.

And unthankful.

I am afraid I still have a lot to learn.