Content | August 13, 2023

Main point: The Bible has a lot to say about being content.

Psalm 131

¹ My heart is not proud, Lord, my eyes are not haughty;
I do not concern myself with great matters
or things too wonderful for me. ² But I have calmed and quieted myself, I am like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child I am content. ³ Israel, put your hope in the Lord both now and forevermore.

Luke 12:27-31

²⁷ “Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. ²⁸ If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you—you of little faith! ²⁹ And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. ³⁰ For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. ³¹ But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.

1 Timothy 6:6-8

⁶ But godliness with contentment is great gain. ⁷ For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. ⁸ But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 

1. Contentment begins in the posture of the mind.

Psalm 131:3

³ Israel, put your hope in the Lord both now and forevermore.

Colossians 3:1-3

¹Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. ² Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. ³ For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.

2 Corinthians 10:3-5

³ For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does.⁴ The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. ⁵ We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

2. Contentment relies on connection with God.

Psalm 131:2

² But I have calmed and quieted myself, I am like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child I am content.

Philippians 4:11-13

¹¹ I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. ¹² I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.¹³ I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

3. Contentment requires thoughtful self-awareness.

Psalm 131:1

¹ My heart is not proud, Lord, my eyes are not haughty;I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me.

Conclusion: Contentment isn’t a place we arrive at for all-time, it’s something we consider and practice.