I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 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. – Philippians 4:10-12 NIV
Contentment means being satisfied and the rest about where God has you despite what’s happening around you. It’s not natural or automatic. It must be learned. God teaches us contentment through the ups and downs of changing circumstances. He wants us to learn to depend on him and his divine enabling no matter what the circumstances.
Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” – Hebrews 13:5 ESV
Money itself is not bad. Rather the love of money leads to character corruption‘s like greed covetousness and discontentment. Instead of wanting to acquire money to get things in life, we need to remember that God said that He will never leave us or forsake us. This is where we find our security. Not in possessions.
Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. – 1 Timothy 6:6-8
This statement is the key to spiritual growth and personal fulfilment we should honour God and centre our desires on him and we should be content with what God is doing in our lives. Contentment is being at ease where you are and being thankful for what you have. Contentment doesn’t mean complacency rather it’s a learning to be satisfied until God gives you more.
And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” – Luke 12:15
Greed appeals to people from all walks of life regardless of income or social status. Be careful that material possessions do not take priority over your spiritual pursuit remember life does not consist of an abundance of stuff.
And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. – Philippians 4:19
We can trust that God will always meet our needs. Whatever we need on earth he will always supply. This is why we can be content in any situation because we know in our hearts that God will provide.
You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. – Isaiah 26:3
We can never avoid strife in the world around us but with God we can know perfect peace even in when everything around us is trying to entice us to want more, give all our attention on material things and to get us to spend our money. Keep your mind on God and he will keep you in perfect peace in this world.
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. – Matthew 6:19-21 NIV
Now what this verse is saying is we should put more emphasis on what we do for God’s kingdom then what we acquire here on earth. The things that we can acquire on earth are all temporary and will eventually be destroyed. But the things that we do for God’s kingdom are eternal and last forever. And your perspective on these two approaches will determine what’s in your heart.
Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues with injustice. – Proverbs 16:8
As we continue to grow and if we do acquire material possessions or wealth in our lives there is a temptation that we all have to overcome which comes with wealth and it is corruption. There are many great people who start out with good intentions but fail the test of integrity and allow greed and corruption to enter their lives. as they pursue wealth and material possessions and it corrupts their soul. God will test us with little first before he allows more to come into our lives. His main goal is for us to be saved and stay in a relationship with him.