1 Timothy 6:6–8
“But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.”
Matthew 6:33
“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”
These two passages serve as the one-two punch our sin of discontentment needs. They also provide valuable insight into the deeper issues of discontentment. Paul reminds Timothy that godliness with contentment isn’t gain only, but is great gain! One of the deeper issues of discontentment comes from a lack of faith that God is enough; nay, more than enough! As we tend to apply worldly wisdom to our lives, it seems to make sense that if we pursue the Lord and pursue more stuff, our lives will only improve. Yet, in this case, 1+1 does not equal 2. Why? Because you cannot serve God and mammon. C.S. Lewis once said, “He who has God and everything else has no more than he who has God only.”
Paul reminds Timothy that it is enough if we have food and clothing. That is a pretty low standard compared with what we are used to. What would you add to that list? A place to live? A vehicle? Friends? This is quite a radical statement! Paul is not saying that having more is bad, but the problem comes when we think we deserve more. This taps into our issue of pride. This pride is displayed not only in our entitlement, but it also shows us that we think God is unfair and that if we were in charge, things would be better. We should remember that God in His infinite wisdom, eternal perspective, and His great love for you has placed you where you are and with what you have for a reason. It comes down to two responses: trust and surrender.
Jesus teaches about anxiety in Matthew 6, reminding His followers that their top priority beyond anything else should be the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness. Basically, seek God’s will and strive for righteousness above all things. Make that the priority of your life. An interesting tie-in that Scripture hints at is that discontentment is often tied to anxiety. Why are you anxious? Could it be because you have already thought in your mind that if something doesn’t go your way, it will be terrible and your life will be terrible? This is discontentment presenting as anxiety. Not all anxiety is rooted in this, but it is worth considering this connection in your life.
So then, what are we supposed to do with all of this? Paul hints at it, and Jesus says it. Make your relationship with the Lord your top priority in life. Your obedience to Him and relationship with Him will cause the things of this earth to grow strangely dim. This requires surrender. Not only in a big sense of surrendering to anything - like becoming a third-world missionary, which is still good; but also surrendering to what God is giving you here and now.
Consider praying to ask God to reveal how He is currently working in your life. Request Him to show you the purpose of your current situation and help you cultivate contentment. Discontentment is a very dangerous place to be because its roots go deep into your heart and reveal pride, unbelief, and misplaced priorities. But with God’s grace, He can reveal a better way. Seek Him first and surrender.