Contentment
by Andrew, Philippines (originally published 2007)
“And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content” (1 Timothy 6:8). Those words went through my mind as I washed the breakfast dishes. What exactly is contentment? I wondered. I dried my hands, got my Webster’s Dictionary, flipped through it, and found the entry I was looking for: “contented (adjective): feeling or showing satisfaction with one’s possessions, status, or situation.”
But was that even possible? I wasn’t so sure that having only food and clothes would be enough to satisfy me. The apostle Paul once said, “I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content” (Philippians 4:11), but I have found that a lot of times that’s easier said than done. Having been both a Christian volunteer and a teacher since I was 16 (I’m now 25), there have been plenty of times when life was just plain difficult. Sure, God has always taken care of me and supplied my immediate needs, but there have been times when I wished I had some of the extras that others had. I haven’t always been satisfied. How could I be satisfied with just food and clothes? I asked myself as I finished the dishes.
As if in answer to my question, my attention was drawn to my seven-month-old niece, Kylie, as she played quietly and happily gummed a slice of apple. Now she looked content–the perfect picture of peace and tranquility. No wonder Jesus said, referring to children, “of such is the kingdom of Heaven” (Matthew 19:14). Kylie looked like a little angel as she sat there with that piece of apple. I looked at her, and she smiled back and clapped her hands. Oh, she was definitely satisfied. But what in the world did she have? A diaper and a little slice of apple, yet she was perfectly happy.
“And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content.” I had my answer. Kylie’s innocence had taught me something. She wasn’t worried about whether or not she would have food tomorrow or if she would run out of diapers. She had her food, she had her clothes, and she was perfectly content, trusting her mother to take care of her and give her exactly what she needed, when she needed it.
I should be the same way, I thought, happy and satisfied with what God gives me–happy to be alive and trusting God that He will take care of me and give me the things that I truly need. And now I am. I have not only food and clothing and other material comforts, but I have so much that many millions of other people in the world don’t have. I have Jesus and His gift of salvation. I have my family, my health, friends. I have little Kylie who loves me no matter what. I really have all that I need. I am truly content!