In his epistle to the Philippians, Apostle Paul writes, “For I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with little, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need.” With a 6-year-old growing up at home, I definitely can see now that knowing how to be content in your circumstances is something that is learned and doesn’t come naturally. No matter what treat our daughter has or fun thing she’s doing, she’s always asking, “What’s next? What else?” It takes active teaching and guidance to teach her to be thankful for the circumstance that she’s in and to not always be looking for the next thing.
To be content in all circumstances is hard to learn but is critical to the Christian Walk—especially when it comes to stewarding resources in a Godly way. Many people go through a lifetime never learning how to steward their resources, and a big reason for that is the lack of contentedness. There is a constant chase for new technology, new cars, bigger houses, more extravagant trips, and on and on. While those things may seem exciting, the reality is that the benefits are short-lived, but the strain that you put on your finances is not. The new phone gets old in a year, the cars get banged up through daily use, and the bigger house becomes more expensive to maintain, putting strain on your finances while pushing out the number of years it will take you to reach retirement. When I ask my grandfather about his most valuable memories, I can’t remember one instance where he listed a material thing. When he reflects on his most memorable moments in life, it’s always been centered around serving God and spending time with family.
So, if you find yourself constantly chasing the next thing that you feel will give your life satisfaction, remember that it probably won’t. Learning to be content with your circumstances and focusing on what matters in life will help you live a more fulfilled life and will help alleviate the financial stress that many people feel due to the constant chase of what comes next.
