Instilling Contentment in the Home

  • Rev. Jerry Lepasana
  • Jun 1, 2008
  • Series: Bringing Christ Into the Home

Bringing Christ into the Home: (Part III)

INSTILLING CONTENTMENT IN THE HOME

Philippians 4:10-13 (NIV)
10 I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it.
11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.
12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.
13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

1 Timothy 6:6-10 (NIV)
6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.
7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.
8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.
9 People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction.
10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

            Everyone desires for happiness. In fact, it is among the most fundamental of all human goals.  And most definitely, we want our homes to be filled with it. However, before happiness can rightly dwell in our lives and homes, we must first seek after contentment. It is difficult to be  really happy when there is discontentment in your heart.

            I read a story about an ancient Persian, Ali Hafed, who "owned a very large farm that had orchards, grain fields, and gardens... and was a wealthy contented man." One day a wise man from the East told the farmer all about diamonds and how wealthy he would be if he owned a diamond mine. Ali Hafed went to bed that night a poor man--poor because he was discontented. Craving a mine of diamonds, he sold his farm to search for the rare stones. He traveled the world over, finally becoming so poor, broken, and defeated that he took his own life. One day the man who purchased Ali Hafed's farm led his camel into the garden to drink. As his camel put its nose into the brook, the man saw a flash of light from the sands of the stream. He pulled out a stone that reflected all the hues of the rainbow. The man had discovered the diamond mine of Golcanda, the most magnificent mine in all history. Had Ali Hafed remained at home and dug in his own garden, then instead of death in a strange land, he would have had acres of diamonds, and tons of happiness.  

               Is it possible that you have allowed discontent to rob you of the God’s joy? When the apostle Paul wrote the Phillipian church, he wanted to impress to them that  joy comes out of their relationship with Jesus Christ. He declared:

Philippians 4:4 (NIV)
4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!

            The phrase in the Lord clearly points us to the source of joy. But, how come there are so many unhappy Christians? Well, looking at our main text, it is quite obvious that the discontentment in our lives can be one of the major reasons for it. So, I believe it would be helpful to study together this passage where Paul had taken the time to write about his secrets about contentment. I hope to draw some principles that would help instill contentment in our lives and our homes.

 

I           CHOOSE CONTENTMENT: (vs. 10-12)

            First of all, it would be best to understand the meaning of contentment. The Greek word for “content” that Paul uses in verses 11 and 12 literally suggests entirely self-sufficient. In other words, to be content means that a person does not have to be dependent on outside circumstances or things in order for him to be happy.   

            I’m sure some are probably saying, “That’s easily written than practiced.” But Paul carefully explained that this attitude was not natural for him. He has learned it through the different situations the Lord has allowed him to go through (for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances).          Again, Paul had to learn it. He had to develop the skills to cope with his circumstances. He chose contentment. By God’s grace he has learned to be happy and satisfied in times of prosperity, even it times of poverty. Now, you might think contentment in poverty is tough, but there are Bible scholars who believe that it is harder to be content in times of prosperity. Here is the statement of Dr. Warren Wiersbe:

·       Most of us have learned to “be abased” (to be in need), because when difficulties come we immediately run to the Lord! But few have learned how “to abound” (to be in plenty). Prosperity has done more damage to believers than has adversity.

 

Therefore, discontent is not only the problem of the poor, but also of the rich. Do you see the need of learning this skill? Since it’s dependent on a choice we make. I personally believe we have to consistently choose 2 attitudes:

A.    Trust:

Being a servant of the Lord Jesus, Paul remained confident that nothing in life happens by accidental. God was absolutely in control of all his situations. You can sense Paul’s confidence in the Lord when you read verses like:

Philippians 4:13 (NIV)
13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

 Philippians 4:19 (NIV)
19 And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.

            Without a doubt, he felt sufficient because of his position in Christ. He always believe that as long as He has Christ, he has everything. His secret was his trust in the Lord. For Philippians 4:19, Paul gave the Philippian believers this promise on the basis of their faithfulness in supporting him as a minister of the Gospel. God’s supply is guaranteed to those who honor the Lord with His provisions.

Matthew 6:33 (NIV)
33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

 

B.     Thanksgiving:

Instead of complaints, Paul has expressions of thanksgiving. He was thankful when he had a lot as well as when he was in need. He even expressed his appreciation to the Philippian church for all their help and concern towards him even during his imprisonment in Rome. This is the same person who wrote:

1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NIV)
18 give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

            You see, contentment comes when we are conscious of how God is blessing us. Paul’s eyes were focused on what he had instead of what he did not have.                

 

II         CONTROL YOUR CRAVINGS:

            The passage that the apostle Paul wrote in 1 Timothy 6 can also supply additional truth about contentment. If you read the passage, the warning that Paul puts out is against the uncontrollable craving for more – more money, more material possessions, etc.

            I seriously believe that we live in a world that feeds discontentment. Just think of all the television commercials you watch. The overarching message of these commercials is – you won’t be happy unless you possess the right house, clothes, shoes, cologne, toothpaste, etc. According to the American Association of Advertising, an average person in our society sees or hears over 7,000 commercials per day. If you and I are not careful, it is enough to plant a lot of discontent into our hearts. 

            If you read 1Timothy 6:9-10, you would see that people who did not control their cravings ended up only as miserable and destroyed. What could be the reason for this? King Solomon, who fell on the same trap of wanting for more concluded:

Ecclesiastes 2:10-11 (NIV)
10 I denied myself nothing my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure. My heart took delight in all my work, and this was the reward for all my labor.
11 Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun.

            Indeed, there is nothing of an earthly nature that can satisfy a man, and so he or she must be careful of his or her longings.  
            In connection with this, we need to also stop comparing ourselves with others. Most often our desires for more are triggered by our constant effort to get the approval of others. We often attach our self -worth with how other people see us. The truth is you will never be contented in life if this is how you are. Why? Because you will always find someone who is better than you are or who has more compared to what you have.  

            It would definitely help us to remember that our worth as believers do not come from what we have, but from who we are in the sight of God. We are worth so much that God sent His one and only Son to die in our place on the cross.

John 3:16 (NIV)
16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

            If God sent His own Son to die for our sins, surely we are valuable to Him, surely we are worthy in the eyes of God. We should rather be approved in the eyes of God than seek approval in the eyes of men.  This truth leads to my concluding point:  

 

III        CENTER YOUR LIFE IN CHRIST:

            The apostle Paul emphasized that the secret of his contentment comes from the dynamic relationship he has with Jesus Christ - I can do everything through him who gives me strength (v.13).

            Looking at the context of this statement, Paul in a way is saying that whatever circumstances he was in, the energy or power of Christ in him allowed him to cope with everything. In other words, when he was going through tough times, he leaned on Christ’s power. When he was tempted to complain, he focused himself in Christ. He acknowledged that he was right where Christ wanted him to be and found contentment there.      Since contentment comes from the Lord, we are to go to the Lord whatever the circumstances to strengthen us. We have to maintain a healthy relationship with him. This is the same sentiment that Paul echoes to the believers who are reading his letter through Timothy:

1 Timothy 6:17 (NIV)
17 Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.

            We need to place our ultimate hope in life only in God, because only He can completely sustain and satisfy us. The psalmist express this truth beautifully:

Psalms 73:25 (NIV)
25 Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you.

            The truth is obvious - we will never find contentment as individuals or as families until we have placed our value system in Christ. He must be the ultimate source of happiness for us.