Tag: Contentment

This is probably a good date to take inventory of your ‘CQ’. (contentment quotient)  Someone said, “The ‘good life’ exists only when we stop wanting a better one.”  Or, “The itch for things is a virus that drains the soul of contentment.” We can relate to those quotes, huh?

              I remember one Christmas when it was about this time and our boys were becoming discontented with their own gifts but fighting over sharing.  It escalated until we gathered up the new things and put them in the closet, saying, “You were happier and more contented before you got all this.  So, until you are ready to be thankful and content with these, we’ll hold them for you.”  Attitudes changed dramatically and the fear of loss trumped the greed to get.

               Timothy reminds us, “Godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out, so having food and clothing – with these we shall be content.

              But those who desire to be rich, fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition.  For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil; for which come have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.”  (I Timothy 6:6-10)

              In Hebrews 13:5, contentment is linked to one of God’s most precious promises to us.  We read, “Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have; for He, Himself, has said, ‘I will never leave you or forsake you.’” I think that means that when we have God, we have all we need.  So, Timothy has the order right when he says Godliness comes before contentment.  We may be pacified for a time with temporal gains, but our peace fades quickly when our souls revert to their continual restlessness if not redeemed and satisfied by our Savior.

               Ponder the story of the Quaker who offered property to anyone who considered himself contented.  When a man came to claim the lot, he was asked, “If you are contented, why do you want my lot?”

                To keep our ‘CQ’ satisfied, God urges us to offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually. (Hebrews 13:15)