When stewarding over God’s blessings (money) you won’t have a chance of doing it correctly if you think God has not already given you all you need.
Contentment is something that has over the years become a word synonymous with settling. Settling though would be the complete opposite of what contentment means from a biblical perspective.
Contentment comes from the Hebrew term Ya’al which translated means, to show willingness, to undertake, or to agree or accept. The Greek translation is Arkeo which means to be possessed of unfailing strength, to be strong, to suffice, to be enough. In the context of Biblical contentment I will focus on the last meaning in each of the translations - to agree or accept, and to be enough.
We see throughout the entire Bible that contentment is something that man can’t sustain on his own. Examples like Adam and Eve thirsting to be like God, the Israelites being led out of Egypt but complaining that they don’t have certain provisions, Solomon in Ecclesiastes always wanting more wealth, and Paul warning us in Philippians to be able to live on a little or a lot. God’s heart is clear in all of these circumstances. We need to accept that what God has given us is enough. God does not promise us anything except His Son and eternal salvation. We need to be content in that promise, be thankful, and turn towards the Holy Spirit for help.
That is not to say that we can’t strive for better, or earn more, but we must look at these things as blessings and not something deserved. We can jump through many moral hoops to justify our means to acquiring material bobbles if we think we deserve them.
Here are some tips to help you cultivate a content spirit daily.
Contentment is something that has over the years become a word synonymous with settling. Settling though would be the complete opposite of what contentment means from a biblical perspective.
Contentment comes from the Hebrew term Ya’al which translated means, to show willingness, to undertake, or to agree or accept. The Greek translation is Arkeo which means to be possessed of unfailing strength, to be strong, to suffice, to be enough. In the context of Biblical contentment I will focus on the last meaning in each of the translations - to agree or accept, and to be enough.
We see throughout the entire Bible that contentment is something that man can’t sustain on his own. Examples like Adam and Eve thirsting to be like God, the Israelites being led out of Egypt but complaining that they don’t have certain provisions, Solomon in Ecclesiastes always wanting more wealth, and Paul warning us in Philippians to be able to live on a little or a lot. God’s heart is clear in all of these circumstances. We need to accept that what God has given us is enough. God does not promise us anything except His Son and eternal salvation. We need to be content in that promise, be thankful, and turn towards the Holy Spirit for help.
That is not to say that we can’t strive for better, or earn more, but we must look at these things as blessings and not something deserved. We can jump through many moral hoops to justify our means to acquiring material bobbles if we think we deserve them.
Here are some tips to help you cultivate a content spirit daily.
- Begin your day by writing down what you are thankful for. This will keep you focused on what you have and appreciate it.
- Cut down on your exposure to outside advertising influence. Even if it means turning down commercials, or opting out of email advertisements, you won't be continually reminded of what you supposedly are missing out on.
- Call or write to someone that you care about and tell them you appreciate their friendship.
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