LIFESTYLE OF CONTENTMENT (2)

“Let your conduct be without COVETOUSNESS, and be CONTENT with such things as you have” – Hebrews 13:5a

Covetousness is a key adversary to the LIFESTYLE of CONTENTMENT: “Let your conduct be without COVETOUSNESS, and be CONTENT with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you’” (Heb.13:5a). Fulfilment in life transcends covetous accumulation of possessions. The contented person knows that it is God Who supplies all our needs from His riches in Glory (Phil.4:19). God meets the needs of those who seek first His Kingdom and righetousness (Mt.6:33) Psalm 34:10b assures that:“those who seek the LORD shall not lack any good thing.” That’s a Word of contentment!

The true remedy for hearts that “want it all” is contentment found in God’s Presence. We probably do not need more “things”; what we really need is to use well what we already have – our time, talents, treasures, and other divinely supplied opportunities. Ironically, we live in a world that feeds our desires for more and more, until we find it almost impossible to be content with anything! Our Lord challenges us to the contrary: “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses” (Lk.12:15). He cautions the man “who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God” – one who’s not concerned about his relationship with God (Lk.12:21). He wouldn’t live long to enjoy his goods!

God wants us to be content with what we have rather than being consumed with amassing more. We must be thankful to Him for material things and view them as being given to be used wisely and enjoyed (Mt.25:14-30). He commands the worldly rich: “Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us RICHLY all things to ENJOY” (1Tim.6:17). God’s gifts are to be enjoyed, not to entrap us! Those who are preoccupied with possessing material goods often lose focus of eternal values. God does not want our hearts to run after fleeting “stuff”!

Our needs will never exhaust God’s supply. The Lord is sufficient for all our longings; and in Him, we’ll never lack (Psa.23:1). We are truly rich when we are contented with what we have. Therefore, instead of striving for what we don’t have, we can open our hearts to gratefully receive and enjoy all that we’ve already been given by Him. We must be content to fill the place where God has put us, so that He might be glorified through us. All that we’ll ever desire is found in Christ Jesus. May our desire to have what God has kept from us not keep us from enjoying what He has given to us, in Jesus’ name!