I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances – Apostle Paul
When I was small, we got to eat meat once a week. We went out to eat rarely. Sightseeing and holiday travel were very rare. Our indoor entertainment was limited to television and reading books. We had specific time slots for pre-approved programs on television from our parents. I can tell you we were never unhappy. We were never dissatisfied. We were ready to follow the family rules. We never asked for more because we were not exposed to “more”.
I shared a message a few years back in my local church on a youth Sunday. The topic I had chosen was “Challenges of Modern Youth”. When I was growing up in India, there was only one TV channel. When I gave the sermon on that Sunday morning there were 300+ TV channels. In my younger days, there was only one movie shown on television per week, which was not part of our parent’s approved list. But then it has increased to more than 30+ movie channels which showed various movies all day, all night, and all week. Things have changed and the options have increased over the years. A few months back, my son showed his WhatsApp message with a video of his friend on a cruise. His friend was proudly showing off his room on a cruise and shared the video with the entire class. There is big peer pressure on parents as well as on children due to the mere comparison. The social image in our society today is measured based on “things” we own and “things” we do compared to what others own and do.
Aligns with God’s Purpose
Being content is all about living life happily with what you have without worrying about what others have. Lack of contentment at times leads us to spiritual, emotional, and physical issues. Living a life which you are not destined to live for leads to complicated consequences. God created every one of us with a beautiful plan and purpose. He gave us skills and talents to achieve the purpose for which we were created. But if we are not content with the purpose He gave us and look at ways to achieve a purpose that is not ours then soon we will end up getting lost in a cloud of confusion. Then we can’t question God for our situation but instead, trace back our path and align our life back to God’s plan.
Let’s not try to jump over the fence God has put in to achieve our purpose. Our purpose can be our own dream homes and dream vacations. They are not wrong. But are we overspending more than what we are earning? Is our dream plans aligned with God’s plan?
Avoid Financial trap
Life with contentment avoids financial traps. If we are content with what we have, we will not be chasing money all the time. Family expenses will be managed within family income. The Bible says, Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have. If we need more, let’s surrender our petitions to God through prayer. He is the Jehovah Jireh, the provider of all needs. Let’s learn to trust Him and wait for the answers. It is better to wait for God’s answer than use credit cards to fulfill our needs immediately.
Learn to be Content in all situations
Apostle Paul writes to Philippians, I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well-fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. Whether he was hated or stoned, beaten or shipwrecked, in all situations Paul learned to live with contentment. Like Paul, we also need to learn to be content by tuning our priorities. Let’s learn to be satisfied with what we have.
Dear friend, it does not matter which part of the country you are reading this article right now. Do you need deliverance from the financial troubles you are going through? Jesus wants to help you today. He wants to give you a heart of contentment. He wants to give you a heart that is satisfied and seeks the love of Christ than anything else. Are you ready to receive it? Let’s pray to Jesus.
Dear Jesus, I want a heart that is satisfied with your purpose and plan in my life. Please fill me with your love. I want to be content with the income I earn. I don’t want to borrow money anymore. You are my provider. My Jehovah Jireh. Let my eyes seek you and let my heart hunger for you. I do not want anything that is not coming from your hand. Help me to patiently wait and receive from your presence. I do not want to use my credit cards to fulfill my instant craving. Help me to lead a good life.
Dear Jesus, Please forgive my past. Help me to be your child. I want to pay back all the debts I own. Let me live a life of contentment. I pray in Jesus’s name, Amen.
Dear friend, the bible says, you will lend to many nations but will borrow from none. God will surely bless you and make you a blessing for many when you seek Him with all your heart.
You May Want to Read