Saturday, 25th March 2023
Alex Buabeng-Korsah
TOPIC: CONTENTMENT
THEME SCRIPTURE: “But godliness with contentment is great gain.” - 1 Timothy 6:6
PREPARATORY QUESTIONS:
- What is contentment?
- What makes contentment with godliness a great gain?
In a highly competitive environment, it is difficult to talk about contentment for it to be appreciated. The reason is that, in such an environment, men and women see their significance in how much they have (possess) or conquered. They measure their power by the number of people that serve them; the best is the one who out-do many. This is the kind of world we live in, so nations are pitched against nations and individuals against individuals. Sometimes it is so sad to see siblings who have grown together, shared their lives and at a point, they turn to compete with each other. The social structure is also designed to sustain that competition where men see their significance in their number of wins. There is nothing wrong with competition as long as it is healthy. But there is everything wrong when we measure our significance by our winnings against others. We came into this life individually, and we will leave individually. Every one of us has his own track to race on. Therefore the most important thing is not to have won but to have fought well.
Therefore contentment is more about being free from care because of satisfaction with what is already one’s own, rather than worrying so much about what you have not yet achieved or why others have gone ahead of you.
If you are content, you will be grateful for what you have today, knowing that if God has blessed you with this today, He will also bless you with that tomorrow.
Many years ago I was working with a young man in one of the poorest regions of Ghana. I realized soon that this young guy has no purpose and direction in life, even though he is hardworking. I set out to help him find direction. Interestingly, I observed that he seems to be eager to prove a point with his life. So one of the days I asked him a question - “what would you want to be your greatest achievement before you die?” His reply dazed me. He said, “man of God, all I want to achieve is to build a mansion. Even if I build a mansion and sleep in it for a day and die, my soul will be at peace. I have to also own a house before I die...” I wondered who has set this guy on such a pursuit. Who is he trying to please or prove a point to?
Precious One, I shared this story for a reason. In an environment where people see their significance in material things, contentment will be elusive. A man starts living when he enters into a state of contentment lest he can only make a living.
Contented people look beyond themselves. Those who are not content can only be self-centred, and all manner of iniquities beset them. Contentment with godliness is a great gain. Our lives will begin to benefit others once we start looking beyond ourselves. We are ready to live purposefully when we enter a state of contentment.
Further, a man who has found contentment finds his joy, peace and security in God rather than in material or external things. We have an intrinsic value and nothing external can add to this value. Did not God create you in His own image, after His likeness (Gen 1:26)? Is not the one who is in you greater than all? Christ in you the hope of glory (Col 1:27).
From today, choose to live from within, rather than from without, and do not let what others are doing or have intimidate you. Hallelujah!
FURTHER READING – Philippians 4:11-13
QUESTIONS TO HELP YOU MEDITATE ON THE WORD:
- How content are you?
- How much are you happy for others and their achievements?
CONFESSION
Precious Father, thank you for the manifold graces I enjoy in you. I affirm that every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realm has already been lavished upon me as a love gift from God. I choose to be content because I am chosen by God to be His very own. Glory to Jesus.
1-Year Bible Reading Plan
Number 6; Proverbs 3; Luke 17
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