From the Elder's Pen "Contentment" 11/18/01 Past/Future Articles

Do you experience contentment?  The world is searching for this “golden fleece” which has been made possible for all mankind through Jesus Christ our Lord.  It can not be bought with money, but comes from a life lived simply and righteously for God.  Paul tells us in Phil. 4:11 that he had found whatever state he was in to be content.  He had been beaten, scorned, shipwrecked, imprisoned, etc.  The scriptures tell us in I Tim. 6:6, 8 that “Godliness with contentment is great gain...And having food and clothing to be content.”  God will supply our needs and we are to be satisfied with our state of being.

     I have worked hard (by some men’s standards) in my lifetime as many of you have.  I have hoed the cotton fields on the farm and logged the trees out of the mountain, but even here I found contentment.  The Preacher in Eccl. 5:12 states “The sleep of a laboring man is sweet.”  This is true for there is a sense of satisfaction in a job well done.
 
   Not only is there a feeling of accomplishment in physical work, but in the spiritual realm also.  The Hebrew writer states, “Let your conversation be without covetousness and be content with such things as ye have; for He hath sad, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” (Heb. 13:5)  Is there a sweeter promise to be found?  Live for God and we can say as David of old, “The lines are fallen to me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage.” (Psalm 16:6)  When the soldiers asked John in Luke 3:14 what they should do he told them to, “Do no violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages.”  In Micah 6:8 we are told what God requires of us.  Three things that, if practiced, will help bring this peace, perfect peace we so desire and seek.  This is to do justly, love mercy and walk humbly before God.  If these are practiced in our lives along with complete obedience to His will we will begin to enjoy contentment and peace of mind.  Let us study to know God’s will and walk righteously toward our eternal home enjoying the blessings He has made possible for us.  I like to refer to these blessings as not only eternal salvation of our souls, but the fringe benefits He has made possible in this life for those who love Him and look forward to His appearing.