“Be satisfied with what you have.” Hebrews 13:5
“If you are not content with what you have, more of the same will not make you so.”
My thoughts today are about “something else.”
A person often thinks that something else will make then more content – to have something else, to be somewhere else, to do something else. That “something else” is usually very non-specific and always elusive. Most people could never tell you exactly what it is they feel that they lack – having some money or more money, having a good job or getting a better job, finding a spouse or wanting a different spouse, buying a house or moving up to a nicer house. Whatever they have, they aren’t satisfied without something else, whatever they think that might be. That’s not a good or happy way to live, is it?
As a comedian observed, “Wherever I go, there I am!” If you are not content with what you have, more of the same will not make you so. Being content does not suggest that you don’t care about having anything more; that would be more passivity than satisfaction. Contentment seems to be a willingness to accept the moment as it is, while wanting and working for something better. Contentment may just mean that you have learned to appreciate what you have, because you can trust God to bless you with what you ought to have.
It doesn’t matter where you look, or what you get, happiness and satisfaction will not be magically found somewhere else. It is always found on the inside, in your own heart and mind. Paul wrote young Timothy with this advice “I have learned . . to be content. “ Philippians 4:11. Notice the accent of that verse. Contentment is not something that happens to you; it is a lesson learned, if you have a heart to desire its truth.
So how does one learn contentment? All learning is a process. You learn from experience that sufficiency means satisfaction, and little by little you discover that sufficiency involves a lot less than you thought. You don’t need everything you want, or see someone else having. You learn that God can be trusted. He puts desires in your heart, not to frustrate you, but to motivate you to be more rather than just accept having more.
The “something else” that you think you need is really Someone else, the true Source of sufficiency and satisfaction. “It is better to have little, with fear of the Lord, than to have great treasure with turmoil.” Proverbs 15:16. Jesus taught, “One’s life is not in the abundance of his possessions.” Luke 12:15.
Things and wealth are not wrong, nor does the Bible disparage their ownership, but Jesus does warn of the “deceitfulness of riches.” Matthew 13:22. Paul writes of “uncertain riches” and advises “set (your) hope on God Who richly provides all things to enjoy.” 1 Timothy 6:17-18. Only a heart at rest in God is fully satisfied.
My prayer for you today is: never chase what is elusive, and unsatisfying even if gained.