Posted on 08/17/2016 6:27:19 AM PDT by metmom
“To me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21).
True contentment is found only in Christ.
There has never been a society in the history of the world that has had as many commodities as Americans have. We are living in affluence that is unheard of in the world’s history. The key philosophy behind it all is this: only as you accumulate enough assets to satisfy your particular lifestyle can you really be happy.
Sad to say, Christians have bought into that philosophy. Now, there’s nothing intrinsically wrong with commodities, but it is wrong to think you’ll find true happiness in them. If God chooses to give you material possessions, it’s because of His good pleasure. But if you make those possessions the love of your life, you’re being deceived about true contentment.
In Philippians 4:11-12 the apostle Paul says, “Not that I speak from want; for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need.” He was saying, “I have contentment that is absolutely and totally unrelated to possessions.”
Where did Paul find his contentment? In Philippians 1:21 he says, “To me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” He found it in Christ, not in material possessions. Professor Howard Vos said of Paul, “Christ is all to him, he lives only to serve Christ, he has no conception of life apart from Christ. . . . Christ’s goals, Christ’s orientation to life and society and mission, are his.” If you want to be like Paul and have true contentment, make Christ the love of your life, not material possessions.
Suggestions for Prayer
If you are seeking happiness apart from the Lord, confess your sin and forsake it. Acknowledge that contentment is found only in Him
For Further Study
Read Ecclesiastes 2:18-26. What conclusions did the Preacher reach about daily contentment?
Studying God’s Word ping
Amen
Boy, I am learning that one.
After going through my mother-in-law’s places and cleaning them out for sale and inheriting all her stuff that no one else wanted and we haven’t had time to get rid of, that lesson has really hit home.
I have been inundated with stuff, and while they are nice things, it has cured me of keeping things. I am on a mission to get rid of it and am setting up for a huge garage sale.
I an DONE with stuff. I do not want to have my life controlled by clutter.
I’m pretty sure God didn’t put me here on this earth for the sole purpose of moving stuff around and cleaning it, and putting it back. I think He’s got better things for me to do with my time.
[[I’m pretty sure God didn’t put me here on this earth for the sole purpose of moving stuff around and cleaning it, and putting it back. I think He’s got better things for me to do with my time.]]
Amen .
The less unneeded stuff laying around to care for the more time you have to care for and cultivate more important things .
I completely understand what you are saying. I am reminded of a line from an old Star Trek episode:
“After a time, you may find that having is not so pleasing a thing, after all, as wanting. It is not logical, but it is often true.”
Yes, it is true.
Because what we have usually turns out to not be what we thought we wanted. there’s a big different between the carrot dangled in front of our imaginations and what reality is.
Our kids generally don’t want our “stuff”...when we pass. Unfortunately most parents don’t get that so they tend to accumulate “stuff” over the years thinking their kids will want it.
My mom was wise in that respect, she asked what we wanted and then wrote our names on whatever items were significant to each one of us. Surprisingly there were very few items any wanted.
Therefore I don’t accumulate as once thought. Rather I pass on anything I’m not using to others, be it family or others.
I don’t read anywhere that Jesus mention’s we would be “happy” here....rather life is for the most part full of difficulties and situations to overcome, with that comes “moments” of joy and celebration so that we can continue to be overcomers. These moments seldom are material, rather events.
My kids don’t want our stuff either except for a few things.
I guess you can chalk that up to one of those many things I wish I had learned many years ago when I was younger.
I’m trying to teach that to my kids now and they seem to be getting it.
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