CONTENTMENT

Contentment is a state of happiness and satisfaction.

One beautiful evening, a middle-aged fisherman was sitting near his small boat by the shore. A rich man appeared there and asked him, “Why aren’t you out there fishing?” The fisherman replied “Because I have caught enough for today.” The rich man asked “Why don’t you catch more fish than you need?” In reply the fisherman asked another question, “What would I do then?”

The rich man answered, “You could earn more money and buy a big boat, so you could go farther and catch more fish.” The fisherman looked into the eyes of the rich man and asked, “Then?” He proudly replied, “You can make more money to purchase nylon nets, catch even more fish, and make more money, then you would have a fleet of boats and you would be rich like me.” The fisherman did not stop. He asked, “Then what will I do?” The rich man replied, “You can sit down and enjoy life.” The fisherman, looking out at the sea, replied, “What do you think I am doing now?” ....(Written by Mr. Jeby T. John) 

Just like the rich man from our story, a lot of people are never satisfied with what they have, they want to have and have and have, this leads them into a prison of needs. When they achieve something, soon they wanna achieve another. Contentment does not mean having a passive, laid-back attitude that just accepts whatever happens without a whimper of protest. Contentment does not mean being indifferent as to whether or not your circumstances will ever improve. Contentment does not mean settling for less than you are capable of. Nor is contentment a spiritual quality reserved for those who have unusually strong faith. 

Contentment is a virtue that even Christians are lacking in. Dont misinterpret the term contentment with the term Zeal. Some Christians arent satisfied with one experience and press on to get more...this is different. We are talking majorly on Contentment in relation to external circumstances.

The major problem most of us have is, we cannot differentiate between needs and wants. We all want things, we want, we want, we want. Sit and ask yourself, do i really need it? Have you been in the position where you have a lot of things and you just discover one day that majority of the stuff you have are not needed and the needed are not available.

I had a friend who likes to have everything, when she sees me with this or that, Off she goes to get same by all means. Had another like that also. I came to a conclusion that they had issues with contentment. The truth is that you are either content or you are coveteous and most time, coveteousness leads such a one to a lifetime of competition with no one. Do you know that most atimes, the people whose items or character or achievement you covet, dont even know you exist or like we say "dont send you". Discontentment can send you to an early grave because you keep pursuing and pursuing and when it becomes a habit, it grows to become your character.

 

The command of the Lord stands forever. God wasnt missing words when he told Moses to tell the Children of Isreal in the 10 commandments "Do not covet". God knew that coveteousness is bad. The goodnews is that if you have found yourself in this state, you are not worst than anyother bad person. Remember we can be Christians lacking contentment. So dont beat yourself up if you discover you are lacking too. 

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. (Phil 4:11–13)

Paul was not content just because he was Paul. When he explains his secret he does not reveal anything super-spiritual or super-human about it. That place of happy contentment is achievable by anyone through very ordinary means. No one is naturally content when faced with difficult circumstances. Contentment must be learned, and the only way to learn it is to go through some things that test it. Paul learned to be content. That means I can learn contentment, and so can you.

• Contentment is learned behavior. We learn to be content like babies learn to walk.
• Contentment is not dependent on circumstances.
• Contentment is a state of being, not a state of doing.
• Contentment is based on the riches of God in Christ Jesus.

EVILS OF COVETEOUSNESSFirst of all let me tell you that if you are discontent as a christian, it is time you cry out to God for help because you are bredding an evil seed which will one day grow into a tree with many branches and these branches would bring forth fruits. These fruits are what become evident and visible to everyone in the form of character.
There are a lot of evils associated with a discontent person.

• A discontent person will be angry with everyone for no just cause.
• Such a one will hate people around him/her.
• Murder isn't far from a discontent person because he/she would want to go to any length to get what he/she wants.
• Unhappiness characterizes the life of a discontent person, because he is simply not satisfied with where he is or what he does and what he has. 

Have you ever asked yourself why we have cheating husband and wives or wayward kids? A woman who is discontent in little things will be discontent in big things. One day she would wake up and cheat, So also men. No body suddenly starts been unfaithful, a seed of discontentment is resident in such a ones life. My dear married ones, watch it, if you discover you suddenly have started picking up on trivial things, pray and pray and pray. My beautiful singles, find contentment in singleness(with God) and the Lord will reward you with a spouse who is content. If you arent, you might just miss him and end up off track. That all your mates and friends are getting married should not be a yard stick to be discontent and start the search you dont have warrant for. You might just end up in your own prison.
My lovely young ones, that mum and dad cant meet that need in your life doesnt mean you should be discontent, He will surely provide a way. Young girls, do you know that when you stop being content, you become gullible.

Also, most jobless people are victims of this evil seed. They keep runing from one place to another in search of less work, good pay. Hahahahaha, Christians too do same. Didnt you read that part of your bible that says "he that is faithful in little"? If that page is missing in your bible, i will just take a copyright permission and photocopy that page for you. You really need it so u would understand why you have to be content. Old and Young, Rich and Poor, we can learn contentment just like Paul.

"A glad heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones." (Prov 17:22) "Keep your lives free from the love of money. Be happy with what you have. God has said, I will never leave you or let you be alone." (Heb 13:5) "All the days of the suffering are hard, but a glad heart has a special supper all the time." (Prov 15:15) "A heart that has peace is life to the body, but wrong desires are like the wasting away of the bones." (Prov 14:30) "A God-like life gives us much when we are happy for what we have." (I Tim 6:6) "Do not let your heart be jealous of sinners, but live in the fear of the Lord always. For sure there is a future and your hope will not be cut off." (Prov 23:17-18).

BENEFITS OF CONTENTMENT
Contentment removes anxiety and obtaining peace. 
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”  Phil 4:6-7.
Contentment is the condition out of which the power of Christ better operates and manifests.
"I can do all things through him who strengthens me." Phil 4:13
Contentment kees us protected from the love of money and wandering away from the faith.
“For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either.  If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content.  But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction.  For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.  But flee from these things, you man of God, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness.”  1 Tim 6:7-11.
Contentment draws us to dependence on God and faith in Him.  
“Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have;  for He Himself has said, “I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you,” so that we confidently say, “The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid. What will man do to me?”Heb 13:5-6.

Whatever it is that God has blessed you with or is blessing you with, be content my dear.

...Beautiful Inside...