Contentment is a Matter of Trust
No matter how much we have, it never seems to be quite enough. We are all to aware of how the advertisers play on that crack in our armor, convincing us that we just need their product to be fully satisfied. Ask me about my MAC. I'm totally content with what I have until I see the newest version. Since new "toys" are introduced practically every other week, I find myself never satisfied, especially since I can't possibly afford to keep up.
So Paul's words have special meaning. He writes in Philippians 4:13-15: "…I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 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. I can do everything through him who gives me strength."
I find it interesting that this much-quoted last verse refers to resisting greed. And it is to our greed that the advertisers appeal. We'd prefer a more polite word for our "need" but it so often comes down to just plain, ugly, greed.
I'm going to try to remember that the next time Apple tries to sell me something I really don't greed, er, need.
The secret to contentment? Paul points us to Christ. I have poor sales resistance but following the example of the One who with great strength of character gave everything up for me, makes it easier to turn over all my real needs and imagined "greeds" to the One who makes wiser choices than I do.
So Paul's words have special meaning. He writes in Philippians 4:13-15: "…I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 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. I can do everything through him who gives me strength."
I find it interesting that this much-quoted last verse refers to resisting greed. And it is to our greed that the advertisers appeal. We'd prefer a more polite word for our "need" but it so often comes down to just plain, ugly, greed.
I'm going to try to remember that the next time Apple tries to sell me something I really don't greed, er, need.
The secret to contentment? Paul points us to Christ. I have poor sales resistance but following the example of the One who with great strength of character gave everything up for me, makes it easier to turn over all my real needs and imagined "greeds" to the One who makes wiser choices than I do.
YES - it amazes me sometimes how hard it is to resist - even when we have plenty (sometimes even harder then - fascinating). Only through Christ.
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