Dr. Monterey D. Lee, Sr.
“Godliness with contentment is great gain,” 1 Timothy 6:6.
The story is told of two men who were talking about being thankful and content. One of the men remarked: “If I had $50 dollars in my pocket, I would be perfectly content.” Immediately his friend handed him $50. The other man took the money but lamented: “I wish I had said $100 dollars.”
How can this be? We long for more even when we have plenty and perhaps have attained our greatest desire. Solomon said it correctly when he concluded that riches, honor and possessions couldn’t make us happy. Solomon had an abundance of things. In fact, he withheld from himself nothing his eyes desired. But in the end, he said: “All is vanity.”
We have this strange nature of wishing for more, regardless of how much we have. The incident above is a good example of our carnal tendencies. But there is a way to find contentment and fulfilment. It is through Jesus Christ, the beginning, the end and the supplier of all our needs. He understands our nature. He knows what we need before we ask. He walked on earth and “was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin,” Hebrews 4:15.
Let us allow Jesus to fulfill our desires daily and to quiet our continual thirst with His loving kindness. Let us be content, whether ridiculed, slandered, ignored, overwhelmed, overworked or underpaid. With God in control, everything will work out in a way that is for our good. If we are not content with a little, we will not be content with much.
