Being Content Without Being Complacent

 

Have you ever wished your circumstances were different? Have you said out loud to yourself, I wish I had more money; I wish I had more time; I wish my husband would pay more attention to me, etc.

We are all guilty of spilling off from our mouth what we wish we had. When we speak those things we are telling God we are not content with where He has us.

Paul says in Philippians 4 that “he has learned the secret to being content in all things.” During the time we went through our financial challenge, we learned how to be content.

“Not that I am implying that I was in any personal want, for I have learned how to be content (satisfied to the point where I am not disturbed or disquieted) in whatever state I am. 12 I know how to be abased and live humbly in straitened circumstances, and I know also how to enjoy plenty and live in abundance. I have learned in any and all circumstances the secret of facing every situation, whether well-fed or going hungry, having a sufficiency and enough to spare or going without and being in want. 13 I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am [self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency].”
~ Philippians 4:11-13 (AMPC)

One summer, we were at the pool club house. We connected with a couple, who had two small children. The wife and Timberley hit it off and talked the entire time we were there. They exchanged numbers and communicated often praying and encouraging one another.

One day they were talking and this young lady went on and on about how she wishes things were different in their lives. Their marriage was great but they were having financial challenges, and she was having difficulty seeing God in all of it. Timberley had an opportunity to share our financial testimony and when she did, the young lady’s responded saying she would’ve never known by the way we lived.

Timberley shared Philippians 4 with her, and said this is what sets us apart from the world. We must learn to be content right where we are, not looking like we are broke, but looking like we belong to the Kingdom of God. Learning to be content where we are, while seeking God in excellence for His provision. When we get complacent, we stop seeking God, and a result of that only leads us to more discontent.

A few months later, this couple invited us over for dinner. After dinner, they handed us a card that read: “this is from Jesus because you have been good stewards.”

Inside the card was a $350 gift card. They explained to us that they had received an unexpected settlement, and because we had been such an example to them on how we handled our finances, even in a crisis, God put us on their hearts to bless.

What touched us the most was the scripture inside that said:

“Don’t love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said,
“I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.
~ Hebrews 13: 5 (NLT)

You see, as a child of God, we learn to be content right where God has us. The place in which He has us is for us to grow, and draw closer to Him. Then, and only then, through that obedience He rewards us.

When we’re discontent, we don’t spend time seeking God. Because we are to focus on what we don’t have. However, when we seek Him and heed to His voice, we are no longer complacent. Instead, we push through. Then, God will put a super on our natural that move us into a place of being content with plenty.

~ André and Timberley Gray