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Contemplating Contentment

“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. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life” (1 Timothy 6:17-19).

Our lives are lived between the extremes of being either overly self-denying (on one side) or overly ambitious (on the other). If you lean too far towards the self-denying side then there is the possibility that you may get to the end of your life and say, "Huh... I wish I would have done...” (whatever).

The greater danger, though, as I see it, is that ambition can grow into greed and dissatisfaction with everything. Nothing is good enough and there is no contentment or real joy because there is always something better or more to be gained.

Now let me be clear: there is nothing wrong with trying to better yourself or your “lot in life”. However, when that goal distracts us from the good that is currently all around us, then maybe we have a problem. I have seen many families - if not torn apart - at least severely harmed because Dad, or mom (or both), was more interested in "more stuff" than they were in the kids or in each other.

I wonder about what we are teaching our kids when we flood them with money, activities and stuff. What are we teaching ourselves when all we think about is what we do not have compared to others?

I think "content" is becoming a swear word in our society (meaning "Lazy") and that is unfortunate. What would things look like if we stopped comparing and competing? What if we judged success by something other than our paychecks, our bank accounts and our "toys"? Could it be that we would find that more stuff is just... more stuff?

Do you want to have something truly unique? Would you like to have something that very few others have, but wish they did? Try some "happiness with what you have". Find joy in the "little things" that cannot be bought and sold (including the joy of just being with people that you love).

As someone said, "Most dissatisfaction comes from people striving to be something that they are not and don't need to be".

Maybe it is time for contentment to make a comeback.

Comments

Unknown said…
Good idea - time for contentment to make a comeback. I'm afraid too often we think we'll find contentment only when everything is just right - the right job, the right house, the right spouse, etc.

Paul spoke a secret for being content in any and every situation. It's a secret we can all learn. http://amzn.com/144218776X
March 9, 2010 at 4:06 AM
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