The “C” s THAT WILL HELP YOU (3)- CONTENTMENT
I wanted to visit a dear one who has done well with himself. He lives in a high-brow area and drives ‘powerful cars.’ He is still quite young. I always desired to be in his space to challenge him about his faith- he was more into making money than he was about his spiritual journey.
Before I left the house, my mind wanted to play a fast one on me- “Do you know if you mention some things you need, he may just be able to sort it out?” I rebuked my mind immediately.
We had a great time. I was glad I challenged his faith. As I was leaving, he said, “Pastor T, you cannot come to my house, and I give you nothing.” What an opportunity but also a trap. I looked at him and said, “I am grateful for your large heart, but I want nothing. I want to stay in your space so I can always tell you the truth. I appreciate your heart”. It was tough, but I said it.
At the time, I had major car issues. I had things I needed money for, but without contentment, a man will never go far.
Contentment is an anchor that makes you put your trust in God. The Bible tells us it is great gain when a godly man is also contented.
Contentment delivers you from comparison.
Contentment is internal security about your season and process. Contentment is a pure appreciation of what God is doing. Contentment is not about the volumes you have; it is about the depth of values placed on what is available – whether in abundance or less.
Some people have lost great opportunities to greed. If you are in the “entitlement sector” of life, you need to deal with it. You can not ignore things in your Uncle and Aunt’s houses. Your eyes always look for what to take, and your mind programs and splits schemes to get it. Deal with that spirit.
The pressure is higher when you begin to take stock for the year. In the middle of it all, find something to be grateful for. You had no car, but you could afford to pay for transport. Be grateful.
Lack of contentment always belittles the seed in your hands. Whatever you belittle will never grow. Stop feeding insecurity. Stop stoking the flames of greed. The root of most sins is greed:
Stealing is greed for the property of another.
Fornication is greed for another’s body.
Adultery is greed for another’s spouse.
Pride is greed for more attention than you deserve.
A man who can caution his appetite will go far in life. There are strange appetites that can wreck a man.
Note that contentment is not complacency. We are grateful for where we are, but we have equally not lost sight of where we are heading.
Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
I Timothy 6:6-10 NKJV
Be content. Be careful. Be conscious. Do not eat the future today. Do not let a double portion become a leprous portion.
© temilOluwa Ola, Eruwa