Isn’t it so that when we are young we dream for many things. We see “stars” in the world of sports and entertainment; we see the world we live in and it beckons to us with its bright lights and store of riches. When we are young, we pretend to be somebody notable; and as we get older, we may experience envy as we look to the substance of other people and covet their position and wealth. We may begin to entertain the idea of how we can get what they have, or even surpass their possessions and fame. Our heart is set on getting more and more, and the thought of being content with what we have is utterly foreign to our minds.
God urges contentment
Contrary to our natural thoughts, scripture teaches us: “Godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content” (I Tim. 6:6-8).
Most of the words translated “content”in the New Testament come from the Greek word arkeo, which means “to ward off, to avail, to be satisfactory, to be content, be enough, suffice, be sufficient.” “Contentment” comes from autarkeis, which means “self satisfaction, sufficiency.” This is what scripture has in mind on the subject of contentment.
An enemy of contentment
If we read further into the sixth chapter of! Timothy, we find one of the roots of evil — the lust for money. “But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.”
A lusting after worldly things (to keep up with the Joneses) can only bring the opposite of contentment. Our joy will disappear as we pierce ourselves through with many sorrows.
Those new clothes or that new car or even that new computer can do us no good if it is gained through the error of covetousness. It will only lead us to discontent, for yielding to the flesh makes it easy to do again and again. At our last, we shall end with the treasures of Achan which were hid in the earth in the midst of his tent. His treasure brought him no joy, but a certain fearful looking for of judgment and death (Joshua 7).
Be content, God cares for us
We should be content in our lives, knowing that the Lord is our God, and He it is who cares for us. For it is written: “Let your conversation (conduct) be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said: I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” Then we may boldly say: “The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me” (Heb. 13:5-6). To know God is in control of your life brings about a contentment and peace which surpasses all understanding.
Paul tells us in Philippians 4, “I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.” So then how did this contentment come unto one who was bound and beaten, stoned thrice, and in prisons so frequently? The answer is in Philippians 4:8: “Finally brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”
We see these thoughts on contentment strengthened in I Timothy 6:11: “But thou, 0 man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.” And again in II Timothy 2:22 we read, “Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call upon the Lord out of a pure heart.”
It is a pure heart which puts its trust in the Lord, rather than looking around and seeking to have all the things which fill the earth. The things that are in the earth will perish and utterly decay, but he who is content and seeks the things which are from above will one day receive them.
There is a place where we can build up treasure, “where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal.” This is the treasure store which makes one rich.
God loves the contented heart
That which is in the world is vanity. All that a person has is vanity But God looks to the heart. He sees us not for the number of things we possess, but for the contentment which we have in that which He has given us. The love which contentment brings to one’s heart is very precious to the Most High God.
We read: “Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me. Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the LORD? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain” (Prov. 30:8-9).
“Feed me with food convenient for me.” Or, “Feed me with food you prescribe for me” is the prayer of the contented heart. Yes, that which God knows we need He gives us, for He knows our needs. The very hairs of our head are all numbered. Our Lord has said, “The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment” and he goes on to reassure us, by urging us to “Consider the ravens… Consider the lilies” (Lk. 12:27).
God knows our needs
The Lord knows what we need, and He will give it to us as we need it. It seems that the world has forgotten this in its greed to store up riches for its own benefit. But this is not a new thing, for our Lord said long ago: “And seek not what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind, For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things” (Luke 12:22-30).
Dear ones, let the person of God seek heavenly things, and let the worldly man collect the earthly things. For what we sow we shall no doubt reap. “If you plant in the field of your natural desires, from it you will gather the harvest of death; if you plant in the field of the Spirit, from the Spirit you will gather the harvest of eternal life” (Gal. 6:8). So then, “seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One