John responded, “No one can receive a single thing unless it’s given to him from heaven.” (Jn 3:27)
John the Baptist made this statement, and it should have tremendous impact on all Christ-followers lives. He is making it clear that a person cannot receive anything unless it has come from God. Since God is the one who has given you whatever you have, you need to learn how to be content with the things you have … including all your life’s circumstances.
You need to be content with your financial position because God is the one who has made you rich, poor, or in the middle. You need to be content with your social status. You need to be content with your spouse. The list goes on and on. Bottom line…you need to be content with where you are in life throughout it, as whatever you have has been appointed by God. Being discontent with any part of your life is being discontent with what God has given you.
Discontentment is a trap that can cause you to do many wrong things, bring ruin upon yourself, or make you generally unpleasant to be around. For example, people who are discontent with their finances may cheat on taxes, lie on resumes, steal, or pursue get rich quick schemes and go broke. People who are discontent with their spouse partake in pornography, have affairs, get divorced, etc. People who are discontent in general complain, whine, and are many times unpleasant to be around.
Your life is a like a plate of food that God has given you. Accept the ‘plate’ and don’t be discontent with what is on it. Eat it and be grateful for what you have been given from your loving Father. He does know best!
You need to be content with everything in your life, the blessings, and difficulties … yes, the difficulties too. Look at Job for a moment:
One day the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came with them. The Lord asked Satan, “Where have you come from?” “From roaming through the earth,” Satan answered Him, “and walking around on it.” Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job? No one else on earth is like him, a man of perfect integrity, who fears God and turns away from evil.” Satan answered the Lord, “Does Job fear God for nothing? Haven’t You placed a hedge around him, his household, and everything he owns? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. But stretch out Your hand and strike everything he owns, and he will surely curse You to Your face.” “Very well,” the Lord told Satan, “everything he owns is in your power. However, you must not lay a hand on Job himself.” So Satan left the Lord’s presence. One day when Job’s sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house, a messenger came to Job and reported: “While the oxen were plowing and the donkeys grazing nearby, the Sabeans swooped down and took them away. They struck down the servants with the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you!” He was still speaking when another messenger came and reported: “A lightning storm struck from heaven. It burned up the sheep and the servants and devoured them, and I alone have escaped to tell you!” That messenger was still speaking when yet another came and reported: “The Chaldeans formed three bands, made a raid on the camels, and took them away. They struck down the servants with the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you!” He was still speaking when another messenger came and reported: “Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house. Suddenly a powerful wind swept in from the desert and struck the four corners of the house. It collapsed on the young people so that they died, and I alone have escaped to tell you!” (Job 1:6-19)
Did God take away Job’s livestock, kill his children, and bring this misery on Job? No! Did the Almighty allow it … yes! Look at Job’s response later:
His wife said to him, “Do you still retain your integrity? Curse God and die!” “You speak as a foolish woman speaks,” he told her. “Should we accept only good from God and not adversity?” Throughout all this Job did not sin in what he said. (Job 2:9-10)
Job recognized it is God’s right to send blessings, as well as adversity, on a person and we should accept both. Adversity and trials are a tool the Lord uses to mature and shape us spiritually into the image of Christ.
Consider it a great joy, my brothers, whenever you experience various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. But endurance must do its complete work, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing. (James 1:2-4)
Even Jesus, in the flesh, was perfected through suffering so we should expect and rejoice in trials:
But we do see Him who was made for a little while lower than the angels, namely, Jesus, because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone. For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things, and through whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to perfect the author of their salvation through sufferings. (Heb 2:9-10 – NASB)
Since God allows difficulties into your life, you need to accept the adversities with faith and even rejoicing. He is using them to shape you into His Son’s image!
Be content in your financial position:
But godliness with contentment is a great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with these. But those who want to be rich fall into temptation, a trap, and many foolish and harmful desires, which plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, and by craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pains. (1 Tim 6:6-10)
Be content with all your life circumstances:
I don’t say this out of need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know both how to have a little, and I know how to have a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content—whether well fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need. I am able to do all things through Him who strengthens me. (Php 4:11-13)
Be content and rejoice even in your afflictions:
“Should we accept only good from God and not adversity?” Throughout all this Job did not sin in what he said. (Job 2:10)
…though now for a short time you have had to struggle in various trials so that the genuineness of your faith—more valuable than gold, which perishes though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 1:7)
Praise our God, you peoples; let the sound of His praise be heard. He keeps us alive and does not allow our feet to slip. For You, God, tested us; You refined us as silver is refined. You lured us into a trap; You placed burdens on our backs. You let men ride over our heads; we went through fire and water, but You brought us out to abundance. (Ps 66:8-12)
Think about it…
Are you content in all your circumstances? If not, in which one(s) are you discontent? Why? Can God be teaching you something from that circumstance?
Are you satisfied with your financial position in life? Are you chasing after getting wealthy?
Are you content in your adversities? Do you rejoice in them? Do you see how God might be training and improving you through those adversities?
Do you believe that everything you have in life is allowed or given by God? If so, why would you be dissatisfied? Complain? Whine?
How can you be more content in life?
