Contentment

I know the experience of being in need and of having more than enough; I have learned the secret to being content in any and every circumstance, whether full or hungry or whether having plenty or being poor.

Actually, I don't have a sense of needing anything personally. I've learned by now to be quite content whatever my circumstances. I'm just as happy with little as with much, with much as with little. I've found the recipe for being happy whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty.

-Philippians 4:12 (CEB & MSG)

Actually, godliness is a great source of profit when it is combined with being happy with what you already have.

A devout life does bring wealth, but it's the rich simplicity of being yourself before God.

-1 Timothy 6:6 (CEB & MSG)

I was thinking about contentment. Contentment is when you are happy with what you have. Paul says here that the secret to contentment is godliness. Godliness is nurtured through walking with God and walking with God brings personal transformation called godliness. The godly person is devout and pious.

We know that material things do not bring happiness. We also know that happiness is an inside job. It comes from within and not from the outside. Someone can have many friends and enormous wealth and be unhappy because contentment is an inner work.

I am surprised but not surprised when I see discontentment in people who have far above average means. I was surprised because I thought that more would make things better. But, wherever you go, there you are.

The poorest people are also the most generous.  Twice as generous as everyone else.  They have less fear of not having enough for themselves and are more acutely aware of the spiritual dynamic of sowing and reaping.