Perspective

Source: Purpose Driven Connection

What is contentment?
Contentment means my happiness is not dependent upon circumstances. Most people get caught in “when” thinking — “When I get such and such, then I’ll be happy.” “When I get to a certain level economically… When I get a certain job … When I can retire … then I’ll be happy. When I get the house paid off… When I get the bills paid off… then!”

God says, “No, once you get there, you’ll always want something else. You’ll always want more.” Somebody once asked the billionaire Howard Hughes, “How much does it take to make a man happy?” He said, “Just a little more.”

God says, “I want you to learn contentment.” It’s not about not having goals. It’s saying “My happiness is dependent upon the Lord not on my circumstances in life.”

Contentment is something you have to learn.
It’s not something that comes naturally. I, by my nature, am naturally discontent. And so are you.

How do you learn to be content?
Stop comparing. God says it’s stupid to compare yourself to others. You compare houses, clothes, cars. I bought a computer a couple of weeks ago and I was so excited about it. Then I opened a magazine and there’s a newer model!

We’re constantly comparing — and comparing causes discontent. And because of discontent God says, “You can’t handle what I want to give you because you’re putting too much priority on things in your life.” Can God trust you with wealth? Have you learned to be content? If you don’t learn contentment, you’ll never be happy. You’ll always want more.