We must learn to be content

Good morning everyone,

Our theme for this month: “Living with joy”

Our Bible verse for today: “I don’t say this out of need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I find myself.” Philippians 4:11

Our thought for today: “We must learn to be content”

So, let me return to our concluding thought from yesterday’s devotional, “Are you a content person? If you are, then you are probably a joyful person too because there is joy found in the virtue of being content.”

However, please note that in verse 11 Paul said he “learned” to be this way. In other words, he trained himself in how to be joyful and content regardless of external circumstances and regardless of whether he had a little or a lot. He ‘learned” how to do this. Contentment is a learned frame of mind.

Do you remember the lesson from G.K. Chesterton? You can either constantly strive for more, more, more, or you can train yourself to desire less. Fortunately, in the last few decades here in the USA, especially in the Christian community, there has been a move away from conspicuous consumption and this never-ending quest to acquire more, and towards a life of simplicity instead.

In the Christian world it started many years ago when Richard Foster wrote his great little book “Freedom of Simplicity.” That book is all about simplicity as a spiritual discipline. Many people appreciated this practical approach and began to make changes in their lives. Then there was Bob Buford’s great books “Halftime” and “Finishing Well.” Both of those books pertain to making major shifts in focus. The first one is for those who are still in their working years and who are willing to consider a change of profession that will improve the quality of their life. The second is for those in their senior years who want to make the last season of life count in meaningful ways.

This is all about “less” being “more.” It is about making adjustments that improve the quality of your life in the areas that matter the most. That then leads to being more content.

Today we see this move towards simplicity and a desire for contentment across our society, as people from all walks of life are leaving the high-pressure world of workaholic jobs and finding employment that is more enjoyable and less time consuming. People are downsizing their homes, even moving into what are called “tiny homes.”

More and more people are gravitating towards the kind of life Paul wrote about in 1 Thessalonians 4:10-12, “But we encourage you, brothers and sisters, to do this even more, to seek to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and work with your own hands, as we commanded you, so that you many behave properly in the presence of outsiders and not be dependent on anyone.” Many are also learning the truth of what he taught in 1 Timothy 6:6, “But godliness with contentment is great gain.”

There is great joy in learning to be content. But it is a learning process. It was for the Apostle Paul and it will be even more so for those of us who live in this society today. But the reward is well worth it. There is freedom and a great deal of peace, not to mention joy, found in a life that is simple, less stressful, and debt free. Therefore, Paul urges us to learn to be content.

God bless,
Pastor Jim

(If you like what you’re reading in these daily devotionals, and if you would like more content from Oak Hill Baptist Church, join us on Sundays at 10:00 – in-person if you are nearby or, if you are geographically distant or if you just can’t make it, online at www.YouTube.com/@oakhillbaptistcrossville

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