Philippians 4:11: "I am not saying this because I am in need for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances."
I Timothy 6:6: "But godliness with contentment is great gain."
For just a moment think back over the past 25 years. (I trust most of you are at least that old!) If you are honest, you will see that in this country, anyway, our needs and wants have really changed. What in the 1970's would have been a luxury at the time, today becomes something that we feel we really need, whether it be the latest computer, stereo system, or furniture style. This world system has us on a spinning wheel that tells us we need to have more, get more, change all the time, and as a result, we lose our contentment. In the above verses, we once again are directed to what God thinks of contentment.
Meditate On This!
If you are having problems today being content in the situation you find yourself, realize a couple of things. One, that the secret of contentment is the realization that life is a gift, not a right. The fact that you are breathing today should bring some contentment. If you had everything you ever wanted, where would you put it? When will the house be big enough? The car be luxurious enough? The computer fast enough? Through the exercise of our faith and contentment in Christ, I challenge you each day in your time of prayer to ask nothing of God, but rather with thankful gratitude, express to Him the fact that you are very wealthy. Materially, most of you reading this live better than any kings did for the last 1800 years. Spiritually, you have everything in Christ Jesus. Lets turn our attention to rejoicing and contentment rather than trying to play the "American game."
Philippians 4:11: "I am not saying this because I am in need for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances."
I Timothy 6:6: "But godliness with contentment is great gain."
For just a moment think back over the past 25 years. (I trust most of you are at least that old!) If you are honest, you will see that in this country, anyway, our needs and wants have really changed. What in the 1970's would have been a luxury at the time, today becomes something that we feel we really need, whether it be the latest computer, stereo system, or furniture style. This world system has us on a spinning wheel that tells us we need to have more, get more, change all the time, and as a result, we lose our contentment. In the above verses, we once again are directed to what God thinks of contentment.
Meditate On This!
If you are having problems today being content in the situation you find yourself, realize a couple of things. One, that the secret of contentment is the realization that life is a gift, not a right. The fact that you are breathing today should bring some contentment. If you had everything you ever wanted, where would you put it? When will the house be big enough? The car be luxurious enough? The computer fast enough? Through the exercise of our faith and contentment in Christ, I challenge you each day in your time of prayer to ask nothing of God, but rather with thankful gratitude, express to Him the fact that you are very wealthy. Materially, most of you reading this live better than any kings did for the last 1800 years. Spiritually, you have everything in Christ Jesus. Lets turn our attention to rejoicing and contentment rather than trying to play the "American game."
Matthew 6:33: "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."
How would you define the American dream? If you are 50 or over, you might define it differently than the college-age person would today. Fifty years ago, the American Dream may have been freedom, justice and equality. Today, it is more materialism. The great American dream have a house - a nice car - a good job - good pay - be somebody. Going back even further in our history, our forefathers left the comforts of materialism to come to a wilderness. Why? They came for spiritual reasons. They wanted to establish communities in which they could have freedom to practice their faith.
What should be the great Christian dream - in any culture? The answer is the above - seeking after Christ and His kingdom - getting our eyes off the things on earth and onto our eternal destiny - having His laws supersede the laws of any society. "Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our salvation." (Hebrews 12:2)
Meditate On This!
It is so easy to get caught up in the American Dream. Running after material goods can get our focus off what our first love should be. Have we lost our first love? Are you past the point of "looking good" for other people to gain value for yourself? How important are the trappings of this world to you? Do you determine your worth by your "toys"? Think about this one for a while: If Jesus were in your situation, how would he handle the money, authority and the American system? Remember what Solomon asked? He asked for wisdom (2 Chronicles 1:10). May we gaze not on the things of this world only, but look heavenward and see how we can serve our Father and seek Him with all our might.
