Contentment or Discontentment?

Recently, I needed help and guidance about control of my spending. On retirement income, I felt desperate with an outstanding construction debt. Perhaps you’ve been there.

I have been in and out of debt my entire life. Even with a good paying job, I would slide into debt, then rescue myself by withdrawing from retirement savings.

Now, well into what’s left of my retirement, I sought advice from a Biblically based financial team to reset my mind on Biblical principles. The team is helping me to face this repeated stronghold in my thinking, which makes me a slave to credit companies. From the first meeting, I began to see answers to prayer. The team had partnered with me to pray about my expenses as well as for my children. Confessing my errors, corporate prayer, and fellowship were lifting my burden.

I began to recognize traps for my spontaneous spending. One is lack of contentment with what I already have. An example is the number of different automobile cell phone holders I have, none of which work with my current car. Another trap of mine is lack of planning, resulting in use of the card for larger purchases than expected. Other traps included national marketing fliers with get-rich-quick schemes, as well frequent advertising of items I researched through internet. Much spending displayed my dissatisfaction with what I already possessed.

Contentment is defined as a state of happiness and satisfaction associated with humility and lack of envy. I remembered the verse “Godliness with contentment is great gain.” 1 Tim 6:6 and “As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.” Ps 17:15 Our deepest satisfaction will ultimately come when we see a reflection of Christ’s character in our own lives.

How about you? Have you found dissatisfaction with things in life? Try “godliness with contentment”. 1Tim 6:7,8 goes on to say: "For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content.”