Articles
Learning To Be Content
There is sometimes a fine line between being content and being complacent. Contentment is when one is "satisfied with what one is or has; not wanting more or anything else," and it's not a bad thing to be satisfied with what one has; complacency, on the other hand is when one has "a feeling of quiet pleasure or security, often while unaware of some potential danger, defect, or the like; self-satisfaction or smug satisfaction with an existing situation, condition, etc." In this, satisfaction with the current state or situation is a bad thing because we are willfully ignoring — or unaware of — a danger that exists. In spiritual matters, it is never good to be complacent; it is good to learn to be content, though.
The apostle Paul, while writing the letter to the brethren at Philippi from prison in Rome, said, “I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need” (Phil. 4:11, 12). Within this same letter, Paul said that when he prayed for them, he did so “with joy” (Phil. 1:4); he also considered the fact that others were preaching Christ, thinking to cause him harm, but he said, “in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice” (Phil. 1:18); and even regarding his current situation, he said, “I am glad and rejoice with you all. For the same reason you also be glad and rejoice with me” (Phil. 2:17, 18).
The point we must not overlook in all this is the fact of Paul's situation and his attitude when in that situation; though imprisoned, he did not wallow in self-pity or despair, but rejoiced — and encouraged others to rejoice with him! He had a good attitude regarding his imprisonment because he had learned to be content, regardless of the conditions. His example is one we would do well to follow, and not just in how he worked to try to save souls (cf. 1 Cor. 10:33-11:1). So, how can we learn to be content?
Have A Spiritual Mind. Two times in the New Testament, disciples are exhorted to be content with what they have in regards to material possessions; Paul prefaced his condemnation of the love of money by stating, “having food and clothing, with these we shall be content” (1 Tim. 6:8), and the writer of Hebrews admonished the disciples to “Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you’” (Heb. 13:5). In each case, the admonition is to be content with whatever one has, but that will be a problem for someone who is focused on material things.
It is when we are materially focused that we look at the possessions of another and become envious of what they have that we do not; it is when one is materially focused that they “desire to be rich” and end up straying “from the faith in their greediness, and [pierce] themselves through with many sorrows” (1 Tim. 6:9, 10) because of the love of money. Whenever our focus is on material things, it is only a matter of time before we start evaluating the amount and quality of our material things in relation to someone else, and we will eventually find that someone has more than we do, or something better than what we have, and we become discontented.
It is for this reason we are admonished, “Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth” (Col. 3:2). It is this mindset that allowed the apostle Paul to be content when he was full and when he was hungry, and whether or not he lived in abundance or in need. We may be physical beings with physical needs, but we are also spiritual beings with spiritual needs; don't let the physical side overwhelm the spiritual side to the point we lose our focus on the unseen and eternal things. Doing so sets us up for a life of discontent!
Have A Humble Attitude. Another problem that affects many today is the mindset of "I deserve this" regarding certain privileges, material things, or even luxuries. Especially in this country, where even the poorest live at a higher standard than a great majority of the world's population, we are conditioned to expect certain 'basic' needs like air conditioning, cheap gas and food, stores that are convenient and always open, generally safe neighborhoods, super-fast Internet service, and quick and error-free service at the local restaurants. If we don't get those things, or if there is sometimes even the slightest delay in getting those things, we just as quickly become discontented.
Sometimes, it is not about material comforts, but simply how others treat us that is the cause of our discontent. Sometimes, we come to think we 'deserve' a certain level of treatment or a certain degree of respect and, when we don't get what we think we 'deserve,' we quickly become discontented — and we make sure everyone knows it! Now, certainly, we should treat others like we would like to be treated (cf. Matt. 7:12), and we are to love one another as Jesus loved us (cf. John 15:12), but surely we understand that the vast majority of the world does not abide by God's word, and surely we would admit that none of us acts perfectly and always treat others exactly as they should be treated. Surely, we do not think we do everything perfectly, while others have numerous faults (cf. Matt. 7:1-5).
Consider, too, the life of Jesus: Was He ever mistreated? Did anyone ever show Him disrespect? Was He ever treated unfairly or unjustly? I think we all know He was mistreated, disrespected, and even mocked and blasphemed. If anyone truly deserved honor, respect, and fair treatment, it was Jesus, yet, how did He respond? Peter reminds us, “Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: ‘Who committed no sin, nor was deceit found in His mouth’; who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously” (1 Pet. 2:21-23). When Jesus was mistreated, mocked, and disrespected, He did nothing. He did not return the mistreatment, but surrendered Himself fully to God and left it to Him to be the judge of those who had so mistreated Him.
That is the pattern for our behavior, too, and the way we can learn to be content even in such situations where we are mistreated, disrespected, or don't get the treatment we think we 'deserve.' He responded as He did because, even though He was the Son of God, He had humility — the same humility that led Him to leave heaven and come to earth to die for us (Phil. 2:5-8). With a humble mind, we won't demand respect, we won't complain when others treat us unfairly, and we won't blow up when we don't get our way. We won't ask, "Why me" when bad things happen — as if we are somehow exempt from troubles and trials or someone special; we won't make a scene when someone criticizes us or doesn't single us out for special treatment.
Paul's admonition to the early disciples is appropriate here: “Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion” (Rom. 12:16). With humility, though, we can learn to be content.
Quite often, contentment all depends on our state of mind. — Steven Harper
