Paul and the Spirit of Contentment
Paul had the spirit of contentment. He had received a command from the Lord to be content in every circumstance. To be content means to be stable, happy and satisfied with your circumstances. God’s command to us is to have a spirit of contentment. Paul reveals that God had instructed him to have that attitude. Amazingly, Christians today do not have that attitude. Is it that we are not hearing the voice of God? Has the spirit of the world taken over?
Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I AM INSTRUCTED both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
Philippians 4:12-13
Discontentment Can Make You Lose Everything
1.Discontentment is dangerous because it makes you reach out for things God has withheld from you. Do you know that God withholds certain things from you? God may have withheld riches from you but given you a faithful husband. He may have withheld an international ministry from you but given you a great national ministry. There is always something you do not have and you must be careful when you go out seeking for things you do not have. You don’t have to add to the list of discontented people below.
a.Adam was given ten thousand million trees but God withheld the tree of life. He reached out for the tree of life and he lost his place in the Garden of Eden.
b.Ahab was given Israel but he was not given Naboth’s vineyard. He reached out for Naboth’s vineyard and he lost his kingship.
c.David was given lots of women but was not given Bathsheba. He reached out to take Bathsheba and he lost his peace.
d.Absalom was given the right to be a prince and an important person but was not given the kingdom. He reached out for the kingdom and lost his life.
e.Gehazi was given the privilege of becoming Elijah’s successor. He reached out to get some money and clothes and lost his ministry.
Discontentment is an open door for satan to tempt you. God has chosen to give you certain things and has also chosen to withhold certain things from you. “For the LORD Most High is to be feared, a great King over all the earth. He subdues peoples under us and nations under our feet. HE CHOOSES OUR INHERITANCE FOR US” (Psalm 47:2-4 NASB).
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