“If I just had a little bit more…”  Have you ever found yourself saying that?  If we’re honest, we’ve probably all thought that at some point in our lives.  Whether it’s a bigger paycheck, a larger home, more vacations, or any number of other things, we often think that we just need a little more to be happy.  We don’t need an excess; we just think a little more would do the trick.  The truth is, when we find ourselves thinking this way, it’s time for a reminder on what the Bible says about contentment.

When Paul wrote his first letter to Timothy, he ended with several instructions concerning wealth and the pursuit of riches.  Paul first reminded Timothy that false teachers often look at the gospel simply as a means of gain.  With that in mind, Paul taught Timothy that great gain was simply a combination of godliness and contentment (1 Tim. 6:6).  How sad that so many people think great gain is something to be grasped for, when in actuality it’s something every single person can have.  See great gain isn’t defined by riches, fame, or power.  Those are things many people will never obtain, and those that do rarely find true happiness.  Great gain is possible for every single person – if they are willing to obey God, and be content.

But what does it mean to be content?  Again, most people think contentment is something they’ll attain with just a little improvement.  “I don’t need to be a millionaire; I could be content with just a 10% raise.”  “I don’t need a mansion – I’d be content with just a little more land.” Thoughts like these and so many more are most people’s definition of contentment.  If we just had a little more, then we’d be content.  God’s definition of contentment is quite different however.

First of all, true contentment is being content with your current status, even without improvement.  “Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have…” (Heb. 13:5 ESV).  If we can’t be happy with our current salary, house, car, and so on, why would we be content with just a little more?  For most people, a little more appeases them for a little while, but before long the new-found contentment subsides and the need for just a little more comes back.  As Christians we have to learn to be content with what we have now; especially considering the Bible has more to say on the subject.

True contentment is further defined as not only satisfaction with what we have now, but satisfaction even if our situation worsens.  When writing to the Philippians and thanking them for their support, Paul stated he had “learned in whatever situation I am in to be content” (Php. 4:11).  Paul further explained that he knew how to be poor or to abound.  Paul’s key to such contentment was his trust in Christ – “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Php. 4:13).  Being content with what we have now is one thing.  How content would most of us be if we actually had to do with a little less?

Perhaps we can be content with what we have now, and perhaps we are confident that we’d even be content with less.  That’s still not where contentment ends though.  After teaching Timothy that godliness and contentment is great gain, Paul gave the truest definition of contentment.  “But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content” (1 Tim. 6:8).   Candidly, that’s a tough definition to accept.  Even if we’re ready to do with a little less, are we ready to have nothing more than food and clothing?  For those that truly “seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness” (Mt. 6:33), Jesus has promised they will always be provided with at least food clothing, and as Paul says, with that we can be content.

How can we possibly be content with so little?  It’s possible because when we seek first God’s kingdom, we lay up treasures in Heaven, and Heavenly treasure is the only true wealth.  Earthly wealth can be squandered, stolen, and lost.  Heavenly riches on the other hand can’t be stolen, destroyed, and they never fail (Lk. 12:33).   Further, earthly riches are only temporary.  As Paul reminded Timothy, “we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out” (1 Tim. 6:7).  Whether we leave behind billions, thousands, or just a handful of dollars when we die, we still leave it all behind.  When we remember that, it’s much easier to be content with what we have, or even less than what we have.  Pairing that contentment with godly living, we can find great gain; the greatest gain in fact – a promise and hope of eternal life in Heaven one day.

Article by: Nate Bibens