Really?!?ናሙና

Contentment

When we read verses like these in 1 Timothy, it’s easy to be overwhelmed by all that God is asking us to do. We might make a “to-do” list of everything, such as:

1. Stop loving money and be content with what we have.
2. Pursue righteousness, godliness, love, endurance, and gentleness.
3. Figure out what #2 means.

The great author and theologian, Dallas Willard, spoke about this idea when he wrote, “The main thing that you bring the church is the person that you become, and that’s what everybody will see; that’s what will get reproduced; that’s what people will believe. Arrange your life so that you are experiencing deep contentment, joy and confidence in your everyday life with God.”

His words are so powerful because he tells us we don’t have to do this overnight. Is it essential that we learn to be content with what God has given us? Of course. Should we seek to be godlier? Definitely. But we need to show ourselves some grace and realize that becoming the person God created us to be is a process.

So, with that being said, do you think you are a person who practices contentment and godliness? Or do you think you are falling into the trap that causes destruction? No matter where you are in the process, how can you divert attention away from money and “stuff” toward becoming more like the person God wants you to be?