This is from the 1/12/2010 Daily Encouragement email.
I heard a pastor on the radio say something like: "If we can't be thankful for what we already have, how can we be thankful when we get what we want?" This really nailed me. I spend so much time wondering and day dreaming about what I want, about how things could be...that I usually overlook what I already have. Do you too?
Philippians 4:11-12 - I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstance. 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.
Are you content in your current circumstances? Or have you gotten caught up in our culture, trying to keep up with the Jones family?
1 Timothy 6-10 - But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
We live in a culture where there seems to be a fine line between being seen as content and seen as being lazy, seen as being not content and having desire, passion and drive. But is it really one or the other? I think you can be lazy and not content, just as you can be content with what you have and still have desire, passion and drive for improving.
The question really becomes about the heart. Where is your heart? What is your motivation to do what you do? Is it about you or about Him? Is it about your glory or His?
"But godliness with contentment is great gain." - Let's set our heart on Him, let's be content and happy in what He has already blessed us with, let's walk on His path and be blessed in His ways.
