The great value of contentment.

Blog #19

Being content is not easy for most of us. Contentment is counter to our desire to have more and better stuff; newer cars, bigger homes, fancier clothes, extravagant vacations, better relationships and yes, better motorcycles. We are bombarded with marketing advertisements everywhere we turn reinforcing this lust for the “better” life.

Contentment is especially hard if one is lonely. How many years do you pray for the right companion before you give up?

I’ve known a few young men who grew frustrated in their search for a mate. I’ve told them that just maybe, once they reach total contentment in their singleness, that’s when God will introduce the right mate into their life. My wisdom doesn’t seem to help much.

I know I prayed for many, ugly, lonely years that my wife and I would walk and grow in faith together. I never dreamed the way God would go about providing exactly what I prayed for. I was not content in my waiting, but I remained prayerful. God provided.

I’ve owned five bikes since 2013 and would argue that is just what it took to figure out the bike I really wanted. However, I know full well that a more content man could have found great happiness in any one of the five.

The Bible has a lot to say about being content. In Paul’s letter to the Philippians:
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 4:11-12

And in 1 Timothy 6:6–10:
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.

One big problem with pursuing contentment is that it requires trusting and depending upon God. It’s one thing to believe in God. It is an entirely different thing to trust and depend upon Him, especially during troubled or lonely times. Remember, scripture tells us that even the demons believe in God. It’s the “trust and depend” part that is easier to profess than to actually embrace.

We’re hard wired to believe every success in our lives depends upon us; our charm, conniving, manipulating, strategizing, etc. In our deep self we believe we have to scratch it out on our own it’s all up to us. Yes, the Lord expects us to work, make our best effort, and stay in relationship with Him, but scripture tells us over and over that He’s got this. Yet we worry, clutch our pearls and wring our hands and go buy stuff that makes us feel good, however temporarily.

I’ve read that the average family has over $10,000 in credit card debt with many families just paying the interest payment on over $30,000 credit card debt. I also read that this past Memorial Day Weekend more people traveled further for family vacations than ever before. Do they just put it on the credit card? Of course, every advertisement tells us to go ahead and spend the money because “we deserve it.” It’s only for the Grace of God that most of us don’t get what we really deserve, at least not yet.

Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God. Psalm 20:7

It’s a common young man’s folly to determine his self worth by the amount of stuff he owns, even when it was bought with borrowed money. Young men want it all right now, and the banker is all too glad to help out. That mountain of debt always outlasts the self fulfillment of new stuff. It’s an old man who wishes he could have found contentment in less, smaller and older stuff and saved his money for the days when he no longer works a job.

Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you. Hebrews 13:5

I do have great respect for one fellow I know who has lived a selfless, frugal life, working hard, saving and investing, living in the same house he long ago paid off. He always owned modest cars, wore modest clothes and didn’t take extravagant vacations. In fact, his worldly travels were on mission trips. Long after he retired, he used his savings to pay in full or in part for his kids and grand kids’ college expense. That was more important to him than remodeling his house every ten years, driving fancy cars or exotic vacations. In his very senior years he seems to be a content, happy man. He continues to live a life of trusting and depending upon God instead of chasing temporary pleasure in stuff. God willing, I’ll attend his 90th birthday gathering this August. This world would be a better place if we were all more like my father in law, Byron Dillard. In fact, I’m sure my daughter and son, if they had all the information, would wish their dad had been a lot more like Mr. Dillard. I wish that also.

And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions. Luke 12:15

I believe my son, 31 years old, is a content minimalist. He doesn’t own or buy a lot of nice new things for himself, choosing to save most of his money. No new car, motorcycles, new clothes and absolutely no debt. He is that way by choice and I think he is very content with his life. He makes time for me in his busy schedule for lunch every two or three weeks and he seems to be happy and content. I think contentment runs parallel with not wanting a lot of stuff. I think he’s open to the right female companion when God presents her, but for now, he’s content in his bachelorhood.

The formula for true contentment seems to begin with faith, trust and dependency on God developed by near constant prayer and daily Bible reading. Seems the more you pursue relationship with God, the less you pursue that giant dream house or new F-250 truck and the more you value being debt free. I’m working on that.

Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:19-21

The older I get, the more I see the great value of contentment. I still have the periodic urge for a new car, exciting motorcycle stuff, maybe even a move to a bigger property, but it’s much easier these days to refocus on all God’s given me already. My list of blessings and answered prayers is very long. I have more than I need and I know it. I’m closer to contentment with the passing of each and everyday. If only I could talk to myself 40 years ago. But, I probably wouldn’t listen any more than young people listen to me today.

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