Being Content

2024-02-19

...be content with such things as ye have... (Hebrews 13:5)

This is a message that is hard to receive, though maybe you do not think so at first. If you live in the United States, there is a spirit of covetousness materialism that hovers over this place. Its evangelists are Madison Avenue and social media. There are Joneses with whom you can never keep up.

This message sneaks into religion. The prosperity gospel and the “health and wealth” gurus say that if you are faithful, you will receive more physical blessings. And they’re laughing all the way to the bank.

But the Lord has settled our physical needs: “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matthew 6:33), where “all these things” means basic necessities such as food and clothing. “And having food and raiment let us be therewith content” (1 Timothy 6:8).

But the Lord has also settled blessing: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ” (Ephesians 1:3). You don’t need to wonder about blessings, namely, spiritual blessings; you have acquired these already if you are in Christ.

The word for “content” in Hebrews 13:5 is translated elsewhere as “enough” and “sufficient.” If anything best sums this up, it is this: “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me” (2 Corinthians 12:9). Jesus Christ is sufficient even when everything else is stripped away. Are we willing to believe it when that hour comes?