Living with Contentment - Martin Wiles

Don’t love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.” Hebrews 13:5 NLT

Marvin was a discontented kind of guy. If he didn’t have the latest cell phone, he would immediately purchase it when it came out. Other electronic gadgets intrigued him as well. He always had the latest television, video game, computer, IPad, etc.

After two years of owning any vehicle, Marvin was tired of it. Trade in time. Homes didn’t grow on him too long either. He’d never stayed in one long enough to pay off his mortgage. He didn’t fare any better in relationships. He’d been through three marriages, a string of almost marriages, and was presently working on his fourth. No woman seemed to satisfy him for very long. Contentment wasn’t in Marvin’s vocabulary.

Being satisfied with what I have is a tough directive. How can I tune out all those enticements to try this, buy this, rent this, or trade this? If I’m not spending money, there’s always someone who wants me to invest it. 

Money must enter any conversation about contentment because money is what our economies are based on. I can’t pay the doctor in chickens or offer to cut his grass in exchange for an office visit or surgery on my big toe.  

In spite of money’s prominent place in my life—and society’s attempt to keep me focused on it, I can learn contentment. Less is more is one key to contentment. I don’t have to heed the common message that only by having more will I be happy. 

What God has given me, he also wants me to share. And I don’t have to wait until I have an abundance to do so. He can take little and make much. Rather than listening to media sources remind me how much and what I don’t have, I can focus on being happy with what God has given me. He knows what and how much I can handle responsibly. 

Are you content with what God has given you?

Prayer: Father, help us to know the contentment that comes from trusting You fully.

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