Godliness with contentment is great gain. 1 Timothy 6:6
Contentment is not a word we would use to describe the present age. Restless, agitated, boiling, and discontent are more descriptive of our times. Financial woes, lost jobs, health issues, insurance, world terrorism are contributing causes that add to the burning flames of discontentment that burns so hot in our stomachs that the “purple pill” seem to have little effect.
Paul had found the magical formula for contentment: I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. Circumstances can’t be allowed to be the controlling factor in our contentment. He later will say, I can do all things through Him who strengthens me (Philippians 4:11-13). Jesus is there for us in any and all circumstances. That being the case contentment can be ours every day and every night and during the long cold winters and the simmering hot summers. We can find contentment when the job fails or our health fails or our relationships falter.
He is our strength in good times and bad. He will never forsake us and leave us alone. It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect (Psalm 18:32). When we are in the mighty arms of Jesus nothing can shake us, nothing can make us lose our contentment. He is our contentment!
There is an old proverb that I have used on numerous occasions: “The only way to get what you want is to want what you get.” Contentment can not be ours by accumulating things that can never satisfy the inner person. Contentment does not come from multiplying wealth, but in subtracting our desires.
In our world where contentment is seldom found by the person whose trust is this side of eternity, we can rest assured that Jesus is there with us and all is well.