Discontent? or Content?

G. Gillliam

DIS . CON . TENT’ noun Lack of content; dissatis-faction; uneasiness; also DIS . CON . TENT’ . ED . NESS, DIS . CON . TENT’ . MENT.

CON . TENT noun Rest of mind; satisfaction, freedom from worry. adj. Satisfied; free from worry; not inclined to complain. -tr. verb To fulfill the hopes or expectations of; satisfy. (Funk and Wagnalls New Practical Standard Dictionary)

In Philippians 4:11 we read, “Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.” Paul writes to us about something he had learned...contentment. The thought given by Strongs is the thought of being independent of external circumstances, contented with one’s lot, with one’s means, though the slenderest. To put that so we can understand it, we may say, apart from everything that surrounds us (that includes trial, persecution, etc.) we are satisfied with our lot (our cup, the place or situation we are in). Our lot may not be very big. ARE WE DISCONTENT OR CONTENT?

The Bible gives us examples of both discontentment and contentment. See if you can determine from the following scriptures which one is which.

“And the children of Israel said unto them, Would to God we had died by the hand of the LORD in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the flesh pots, and when we did eat bread to the full; for ye have brought us forth into this wilderness, to kill this whole assembly with hunger.” Ex. 16:3

“And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.” Acts 16:25

“And said unto him, Behold, thou art old, and thy sons walk not in thy ways: now make us a king to judge us like all the nations.” I Sam. 8:5

“And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.” Acts 5:41

If you said that 1 and 3 were examples of discontentment and 2 and 4 were examples of contentment you are right.

What causes discontentment? The world is constantly pushing people to discontentedness and dissatisfaction. Ads are run all day long on TV for things that will make you more beautiful, tone up those flabby muscles, ways to help you make more money, and on and on. Basically, it comes down to setting something in front of someone that they don’t have. It creates a desire within people to want (whatever). People become discontent with who they are, what they have and desire something more.

The world is not the only one involved in this business of causing or promoting discontentment, dissatisfaction in people. Religion is right up there with them. The most important selling job Christendom is doing today is showing you that you are lacking something in your Christian walk, either worship or activities. Sometimes they even go as far as to say your church (assembly) lacks a real moving of the Spirit.

It is the FLESH that wants what everyone else has. We saw this in I Samuel 8, Israel wanted to be like all the other nations, by having a king. It is the FLESH that responds to and desire these things. Covetousness is part of discontentment and dissatisfaction. We read in Luke 12:15, “And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.” These are Jesus own words, beware of covetousness.

Covetousness is a desire for more, eager for gain. What caused Lot’s problems? We read in Genesis 13:10, “And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered every where, before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, even as the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, as thou comest unto Zoar.”

There is one thing that the Bible teaches us to be discontent with, that is who we are in the flesh. Paul said in Romam 7:18, “For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.”

Your contentness, satisfaction doesn’t come from things, church, assembly, or people, it comes only from the Lord. Sometime in your life these things will let you down. You will become dissatisfied with them. What do we do then? Turn to the Lord. He can make us to be content, satisfied in situations where naturally we would become discontent and dissatisfied. In Acts 16:20-25 we read that Paul and Silas were beaten, cast into prison, bound in stocks and yet they prayed and sang praises unto God.

We will close with one finally thought. Beware of covetousness it breeds discontentment, dissatisfaction! It is the flesh that becomes discontent. Paul’s words in Colossians 3:5, “Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth...” Find your satisfaction (in whatever lot) is in Christ.

Abiding and Confiding

— A. B. S.