Observations on Contentment

What does it mean to be content? Part 2

For part 1 please click Material Manhood

Contentment is a funny thing. Many times I have said, "I will be content after..." but being "content after"  is logically inconsistent with the meaning of contentment.  Contentment by it's very nature implies that I am content now with what I have; if I am not content now I will never be content. Advertisements and marketing campaigns capitalize on this concept claiming, "you will be content after you buy our product". That kind of satisfaction will last only until the next commercial comes on. So how do we find true contentment?

Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." Hebrews 13:5


We cannot be filled with temporal, or material, objects. Therefore we must find some permanent, unchanging source, of fulfillment.  I have been thinking a long time about contentment and recently I listened to a sermon via podcast by Matt Chandler; he was speaking on contentment. He said something like this to his congregation:


"I want you to be content with material things but have a desperate desire for more of spiritual things".


I thought this was an incredible observation for several reasons. 
1. If we are content materially we have freedom to seek spiritually
2. Perpetually spiritual thirst helps guard us against spiritual stagnation (being content with  a 1/4 cup of Jesus, so to speak)


If we can realize that our finite knowledge of God is incomparably small to the infinite reality of Him then this will encourage us to constantly seek Him. This will prevent any self-righteous pride to sneak into our lives. It is, then, of upmost importance that we are content materially. Content now, with what we have, because there is no other contentment.