RPG Adults
BE CONTENT
SATURDAY, JULY 30
Philippians 4:9-17
Psalm 37:1-9
“…so shall I talk of
thy wondrous works.”
BE CONTENT
Contentment is a great Christian virtue. Scripture admonishes us to “be content with such things as ye have” (Heb 13:5). We are also reminded that “godliness with contentment is great gain” (1 Tim 6:6). We see such contentment present in the life of the Apostle Paul despite the fact that he often experienced great financial difficulties and physical hardships.
If we are striving for Christian maturity, then we also must learn contentment. The world always looks at things which can be seen, judging success by money, houses and other material gain. But as Christians, we should learn to look at the spiritual side of life (2 Cor 4:18). When we see the hand of God behind circumstances in our lives, we quickly learn to live at peace regardless of our situation. So, Paul knew how to live with prosperity as well as poverty (Phil 4:12). He always remembered that worldly goods have no eternal value (1 Tim 6:7). How much better to go through life as a slave knowing the Lord, than to live and die with great wealth and be eternally lost (1 Cor 7:20-24).
It is well to notice that the stirring words of Philippians 4:13 (“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me”) were written in connection with the Scripture’s challenge to contentment. What a joy to know that in this world of uncertainty, God’s children can have contentment, or peace of heart, in every situation in life. One of the greatest testimonies of God’s grace is to live a life which exhibits the peace of God which passes all understanding.
God will supply all that His children actually need. His grace is then sufficient to allow us to live joyfully in all of life’s situations. Our prayers as believers should be to exhibit the assurance of God’s provision each day of our lives.
THOUGHT: How can I live at peace in times of physical need?
PRAYER: Father, help me to examine what I count as my “treasure,” for where my treasure is, there will my heart be also (Matt 6:21).