Contentment – Selfless Surrender

24 One man gives freely, yet gains even more;
another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty.
25 A generous man will prosper;
he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed. Proverbs 11:24-25 (NIV84)

It’s easy to give out of one’s wealth, that is, when you have a lot to give, you give things away. It’s even easy to give away things either you no longer need or just don’t want any longer. I don’t believe it takes much character to give in those cases. Where the test of true character happens is when you give all that you have left, or you give away something you cherish. When Scripture talks of the person who gives freely, yet gains even more, I want you to think about what that actually means. When you come to a place where you realize all of the things you possess are just things to be used to navigate life and nothing more, it frees you from being so closely bound to Earth. Things no longer define who you are, but rather they become things you use to demonstrate the freedom Christ has given you.

What I mean is, what you gain in the process of giving freely is spiritual freedom. You gain Wisdom in knowing and fully trusting that the LORD will take care of you in ALL things. You will no longer feel tied to anything on Earth and instead of the world placing reins on you and pulling you this way and that way like reins on a horse, Jesus puts the yoke upon Himself and pulls the load for you. This is the gain you receive, Jesus taking care of you.

Be generous with your things and with words of encouragement. Build others up generously and offer kind words. Refresh others, spread the hope the around, and smile at all who come in contact with you.

You have living within you the Greatest Treasure that has ever been discovered… share that Treasure so that it may multiply not only in your own life, but into the lives of others.

19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:19-21 (NIV84)

Do not wear yourself out to get rich;

have the wisdom to show restraint.

Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone,

for they will surely sprout wings

and fly off to the sky like an eagle.

Proverbs 23:4-5 | NIV84

Finding contentment in whatever circumstance you find yourself in can be quite the challenge, especially when it’s so easy to see others not struggling so much. It’s hard not to look upon earthly wealth as a means to solve many of the problems you face. Solomon, the richest man in the world at the time, wrote. “Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone,”. Those are wise words because what seems like a temporary solution to a problem invites other unwanted troubles later on down the road. Having a vision of the whole picture, the purpose of your life, is a good way to keep your focus on what truly matters and a way to find the peace you are seeking. The purpose of this life is to find God, to know Him intimately, and to learn how to model your life after Jesus. Such things are impossible without a personal relationship with Jesus and having the union of the Holy Spirit to guide you.

If you want contentment, look to where your heart is leading you.

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:21 | NIV84

If your heart leads to you worldly desires, then the world becomes your treasure. If knowing Jesus is your greatest treasure, then your heart will lead you to Him. The difference is, one is temporary, the other is eternal. One heaps on trouble, the other sets you free.

But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. 1 Timothy 6:6 | NIV84

When you read Paul’s words, keep in mind that the main focus is contentment. People associate gains with worldly wealth, but Paul says, godliness with contentment is great gain. Why is that so? Contentment is based on trusting the Lord, on putting your heart where your treasure is. It’s all about keeping the right mindset. It’s good to loosely hold on to things so that when someone else needs it, you can give it away. This world is temporary and so is the physical life you have been given, but your soul is eternal. Put your heart on seeking the Lord, the One who created your soul, and you will find great wealth that does not fade away or sprout wings and fly off like an eagle.