Daily Devo
The Virtue of Contentment
By: Lisa Hodgins
Thursday, May 9, 2024
“But godliness with contentment is great gain.” 1 Timothy 6:6
Are the worries of this life racing around your mind causing a sense of restlessness? Are you concerned about broken relationships, illness, or financial problems? If we could truly grasp and trust the great love of our heavenly Father, we would find contentment in every situation we are faced with.
Discontentment takes many forms, but if we're discontent with our job, Martin Luther King Jr. has some great advice for us; "If a man is called to be a street sweeper, he should sweep streets even as Michelangelo painted, or Beethoven composed music, or Shakespeare wrote poetry. He should sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will pause to say, "here lived a great street sweeper who did his job well.”
In Hebrews 13:5, Paul said he had learned to be content in every situation, but he wrote it from prison! Did he enjoy the pain and suffering he endured while being chained and beaten? Of course not, but he saw beyond his current situation. Paul had a greater vision of what lies ahead, and it applies to all believers. Paul's eyes were always fixed on Christ and His return. In 1 Corinthians, Paul encourages Christ followers to be content wherever God has placed them, no matter the circumstances, no matter what trial they go through. “Nevertheless, each person should live as a believer in whatever situation the Lord has assigned to them …” 1 Corinthians 7:17
Charles Spurgeon offers this advice when we are struggling with contentment: “Praising God is singularly beneficial to ourselves. If we had more of it, we should be greatly blessed. What would lift us so much above the trials of life, what would help us to bear the burden and heat of the day, so well as songs of praise unto the Most High?"
Christ follower, trust God with where you are and what you are dealing with. Praise Him, knowing He is in full control of every situation. Find contentment in Christ’s love, and Trust Him to see you through your trials!
Read: Matthew 6:33, Luke 12:24