Walking with the Wise #191: Cultivating Contentment

“A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh,

but envy makes the bones rot.”
—Proverbs 14:30

When I was 9 years old, I learned what it meant to be discontent. I grew up in a single parent household where money was scarce. New shoes were a luxury, and a growing boy is in constantly in need of new shoes, so my mom took me to Wal-Mart where I got a new set of Pro-Wings, which were the Wal-Mart brand. At school the next day, I was so excited to show off my new shoes, which I did on the playground. As I was on the playground at recess, I showed off my new shoes to my friends, when one of my friends, who heard about my new shoes, came up and stomped his foot down right next to mine and said, “Those stink! You need shoes like mine! You need Nikes!” My heart sank at his words. That night, when I got home, I wanted to throw my brand new shoes away and demanded that my mom buy me some Nikes! I was so content at the beginning of the day, but was so discontent that night. What changed? Comparison. I became discontent the moment when I compared with what I had with someone else. Comparison kills contentment.

Everyone longs for contentment. Peace. Rest. When we are content, we have great energy, we are full of life, but when we are constantly comparing ourselves with others, we become envious and suddenly we are just like I was when I was 9—unsatisfied with what we have. The words of the proverb are true, “envy makes the bones rot.”

How we do cultivate contentment? The Bible says, it is through having our necessities taken care of,

“But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs”—1 Timothy 6:6-10.

Contentment comes from being satisfied with what we have. Content with the life God has given us—good or bad, comfort or suffering, joy or sorrow. We must learn to be content in whatever situation we are in, as Paul said so vividly,

“Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me”—Philippians 4:11-13.

We are to learn to be content with what we have. This doesn’t mean we don’t have ambition, we should strive to be the best at what we do. God is glorified when we do our job well. But it means that we should be satisfied in whatever circumstance or situation in which we find ourselves.

We know that if we are content, we will find ourselves more joyous, more excited about life, more confident in the calling God has for us. Are you content? What do you believe is preventing you from being content? Do you believe that God wants your best? Let God be your all in all, be satisfied with what you have and what God has given you, and experience the joyous infectious life of contentment that will bring God great glory and you more joy. Amen.