CONTENTMENT

Satisfied? That is one thing we are not. We are not satisfied. We take a vacation of a lifetime. We satiate ourselves with sun, fun and good food. But we are not even on the way home before we dread the end of the trip and begin planning another.

We are not satisfied. As a child we say, "If only I were a teenager." As a teen we say, "If only I were an adult." As an adult, "If only I were married." As a spouse, "If only I had kids."...

We are not satisfied. Contentment is a difficult virtue. Why? Because there is nothing on earth that can satisfy our deepest longing. We long to see God. The leaves of life are rustling with the rumor that we will--and we won't be satisfied until we do.

Serving God does make us very rich, If we are satisfied with what we have. We brought nothing into the world, so we can take nothing out. But, if we have food and clothes, we will be satisfied with that. Those who want to become rich bring temptation to themselves and are caught in a trap. They want many foolish and harmful things that ruin and destroy people. The love of money causes all kinds of evil. Some people have left the faith, because they wanted to get more money, but they have caused themselves much sorrow (1Timothy 6:6-10)

Do not worry about anything, but pray and ask God for everything you need, always giving thanks. And God's peace, which is so great we cannot understand it, will keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. I have learned to be satisfied with the things I have and with everything that happens. I know how to live when I am poor and I know how to live when I have plenty. I have learned the secret of being happy at any time in everything that happens. I can do all things through Christ, because He gives me strength. (Philippians 4:6-7; 11-13)