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It is difficult to be contented in this modern world. Every day we are bombarded with images of new must-haves of handphones, cameras, TVs, cars and every conceivable thing that one can think of.Each new model gives additional benefits and satisfaction to the owner. How then can one be satisfied with what one already has? In the Christian counterculture, there are many verses exhorting the believers to be contented:
“Be content with what you have” (Heb. 13:5). “For I have learned how to be content with whatever I have” (Phil 4:11b).
“So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content.” (1 Tim 6:8).
The opposite of contentment is covetousness. Covetousness is the desire for more, whether we need it or not. In the Bible, there are many instances of people breaking this Tenth Commandment of covetousness.This had led them to their downfall. King David was covetous of another man’s wife and schemed to kill the husband so that he could have her (2 Sam. 11). “Achan replied, ‘It is true! I have sinned against the LORD, the God of Israel. This is what I have done: When I saw in the plunder a beautiful robe from Babylonia, two hundred shekels of silver and a bar of gold weighing fifty shekels, I coveted them and took them’”(Jos. 7:20-21). “Then one of the Twelve—the one called Judas Iscariot—went to the chief priests and asked, ‘What are you willing to give me if I deliver him over to you?’” (Matt. 26:14– 15). Let us learn from their mistakes.
Contentment cannot come from material things, for they can never satisfy the heart. It was said that each person has a God-shaped vacuum. Only God can fill this vacuum. God gave us the reason for contentment by promising: “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you” So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?” (Heb. 13:5, 6). God has spoken and He gave His promise that He will never desert us. If one really believes this promise to be true and one’s heart is satisfied with the God who promises to be there for you and help you, then you will not crave money, you will keep your marriage vows, you care for prisoners, welcome strangers and love each other. Faith in the promises of God is the power to live the radical Christian life.
