Be Content – Scripture Dissection

Be content! What, exactly, does that mean? Realistically, if you were to rate yourself on a scale of 1 – 10 (1 not very content and 10 very content), where would you place yourself? Importantly, why?

Contentment is a critical piece needed to live a healthy life.

It’s essential to have a mature, healthy faith in Jesus. As always, God gives His commands out of deep love for His people. God literally wants you to be truly content – in Him.

Tear Into It – Be Content

There are always four categories we explore in Scripture Dissection:

1. What Does It Say?
2. What Does It Mean?
3. Make It Personal.
4. Make A Commitment.

 

1. What Does It Say? 

Here are today’s verses.

1 Tim. 6:6 – “Godliness with contentment is great gain.”

Ps. 119:11 and 105 – “I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin against You.” “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.”

2 Pet. 1:3 – “His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of Him. . .” 

Phil. 4:11b – “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.”

That’s what those verses say.

2. What Does It Mean? 

So, now let’s explore what these great verses mean.

1 Tim. 6:6

“Godliness with contentment is great gain.” 

Actually, this verse says it plain and simple. If you want to be a healthy person, work on contentment! It’s one of the first steps to know God. Consequently, contentment is something you engage as you know God more. Remarkably, you gain contentment when you pursue Jesus.

Simply, be content in Christ. He is your greatest gain – the Pearl of great price. When you have the most valuable treasure in the world, you should be content.

Ps. 119:11 and 105

“I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin against You.” “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.”

Incidentally, there’s no better resource to enhance contentment than Scripture. So, get into God’s Word! Hide it in your heart. Afterall, God’s Word guides, instructs, calms, and comforts you. Plus, it helps you see what to do next.

Through His Word, God exposes things that interfere with a healthy life. Additionally, He enables you to “live forward.”

In these ways, Scripture enables and empowers you to be deeply content. Consequently, you can live at the very source of contentment: God.

2 Pet. 1:3

“His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of Him. . .” 

Amazingly, this verse promises everything you need to be content. Essentially, as you grow to know and love Jesus increasingly, your every need is supplied.

Whether your life issues are tidy or not, finished or not, comfortable or not – you can be content.

Thankfully, no matter where you are on the 1-10 scale, you can participate in the Divine Nature. (2 Pet. 1:4) Unthinkable! It quite literally means dwelling in God’s heart!

This is the place of eternal contentment.

Phil. 4:11b

“I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.” 

How interesting! Apparently, contentment is learned! Regardless, it’s the path to personal peace. Essentially, no matter what life throws at you, it’s possible to still be content.

Subsequently, ask:

1. Are you learning to be content?
2. Do you believe God has given you everything you need for a godly life?
3. Have you hidden Scripture in your heart?
4. Are you pursuing godliness?

 

This is what these verses mean. And those questions help activate the power of God.

3. Make It Personal

Incidentally, where on the contentment scale are you? Probably, most people land somewhere in the middle. Being content when life shifts and throws issues at you is challenging to manage.

Sadly, people swing with contentment. Yet, Scripture insists contentment is critical for consistent health. “Godliness with contentment is great gain.” (1 Tim. 6:6)

Actually, you can land and remain significantly high on the contentment scale as a norm.

Did you know, perspective is critical to be content? Additionally, so is surrender to God’s agenda instead of your own.

Subsequently, ask:

1. Is contentment my norm?
2. Do I have God’s perspective in my life each day?
3. Critically, do I pursue God’s agenda – or my own?

 

How To Get God’s Perspective

Incredibly, Jesus’ teachings promote the very perspective you need to be content. Remarkably, His teachings also provide reliable action points.

Essentially, Scripture transforms you as you apply it each moment. Plus, Scripture gives you God’s perspective in a world increasingly unstable.

So, when you love and trust God – and obey His Word – you get His amazing help. Incidentally, you also find contentment.

Why not set yourself up to be content by eagerly welcoming God’s Word into your daily life? 

How To Pursue God’s Agenda

Critically, to be content means to pursue God’s agenda instead of your own. In other words, contentment is the reward to absolute surrender to Christ.

Essentially, when you do this, you become who God designed. This is excellent news! Just – let go and be content!

Action Steps To Be Content

Strategically, there are three action points that nudge you closer to contentment. Of course, this is in addition to having God’s perspective and preferring God’s agenda.

Here are those three points:

1. First, align your heart with God – in everything.
2. Second, partner with Him – and practice Jesus’ teachings.
3. Third, ask God to transform you – with His power.

 

In other words, you choose to be content when you –

• Ask God to change you.
• Also, align everything you think, say, and do with God’s Word, including attitudes and moods.
• Further, proactively partner with God as He trains you.
• Importantly, do everything He says. In other words, always agree with Scripture.
• Finally, resolve to establish and practice patterns that agree with Scripture.

 

Consequently, God won’t change you if you don’t practice His ways.

What Blocks Your Contentment?

Well, this is an interesting question, isn’t it? Actually, God’s enemy (and yours) does everything in his power to interfere with your relationship with God. Subsequently, he doesn’t want you to be like Jesus. Matter of fact, he works endlessly against you as you pursue God.

Nevertheless, you have a choice who you listen to.

Truthfully, it’s you preventing changes God wants to make in you. How terribly sad when God has promised you power to be content. So, what is blocking your contentment? Be specific.

Consequently,

1. First, take up God’s offer of contentment.
2. Second, trust Him completely.
3. Third, love Him with your heart, soul, mind, and strength.
4. Fourth, practice obedience.

 

An Old Testament Guy

In the Old Testament, Job said he would trust God even if God killed him. (Job 13:15)

• That’s resolve!
• That’s conviction!
• Plus, it’s stubborn faith!

 

Ultimately, to practice action steps that align your life with God’s principles – takes resolve, conviction, and stubborn faith.

Therefore, ask yourself –

1. Am I serious about my faith in God?
2. Plus, will I serve Him no matter what?
3. Further, am I resolved, convicted, and stubborn enough to serve God as He carries out His excellent plan for me? Afterall, He loves me.
4. Since God loves me deeply – and is good through and through – I can be completely content in Him no matter what.

 

To Be Content –

Stay away from these behaviors:

• First, controversies.
• Also arguments.
• Especially, envy.
• Plus, quarreling.
• Malicious talk.
• Evil suspicions.
• Interestingly, constant friction in your mind.
• Finally, anxious thoughts.

 

Remember, you can’t go wrong practicing contentment in Christ. 

Before the Application Thoughts And Questions – 

Now, back to Make A Commitment.

4. Make A Commitment – Application Thoughts And Questions

1. In review, re-visit these questions:
   • • First, are you living in contentment?
     • Next, where are you on the 1-10 scale?
     • Then, what perspective do you need to change?
     • Finally, are you pursuing God’s agenda?
2. Are you resolved – like Job – to obey no matter what?
3. Are you daily in Scripture to know God better?
4. Will you carry out the three deliberate action steps?
   1. 1. Align your heart with God. Simply, agree with Him in everything.
      2. Partner with Him by following Jesus’ teachings.
      3. Ask God to transform you. Invite His power.

 

Now, reflect. Just pause – and let the Holy Spirit speak to your heart:

• Which behaviors do you need to stay away from to be content in Christ?
• What blocks you from being content?
• What will you do about that?

 

Why not choose contentment in Christ?

* Portions of this content come from my book – More e-Pistles For An i-Generation: Relevant In A Digital Age – a devotional book that takes you through all Paul’s letters that follow 1 and 2 Corinthians. You’ll find practical action points that help you know God better and nurture personal growth. You can find this book in our bookstore: www.aliveandactivelife.org/store.

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