TRUE CONTENTMENT
In 1 Timothy 6:8, the Bible says, “With food and clothing, we should be content.” But what does contentment really mean?
To be content is to have the ability to tell yourself, “This is enough, thank you.” It’s about not chasing every opportunity to get more. Even when more is offered, you can choose to say, “No, I’m fine.”
Imagine that you are running a business, and making profits that can sustain your family. Now, someone comes to you with another opportunity: “Invest in this, it will bring in more profit. Work with me, and we’ll split the profits fifty-fifty.” Here’s where contentment comes in.
Yes, you can invest in multiple businesses—2, 3, 5 or even 10—but contentment is when the 11th opportunity comes, and you say, “No, I don’t need this. I’m already doing enough.” Not because you’re afraid of loss, but because you know you’re doing enough to meet your needs, support your family, and contribute to God’s kingdom.
Contentment is realizing, “I buy and sell, and this business provides for me and my family. It keeps me busy but still allows me time for my role in the Body of Christ—as an exhorter or a teacher of the Bible. If I take on another responsibility, I’ll lose focus. I won’t sleep or wake up as early as I should, and I’ll compromise my effectiveness.”
This is the heart of contentment: when you can say, “This is enough for me. I don’t need more clothes, houses, cars, or income at the cost of my service to God’s kingdom, peace, family, or other important matters.”
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GREED VS CONTENTMENT
The mindset that tells you to grab every opportunity for more is not godly. It’s greed, plain and simple. Greed is deceptive. A contented person says:
“My family needs ₦300,000 monthly, but I earn ₦550,000. Even though I could take on another job to make ₦1.2 million, I won’t. Why? Because it would take an extra three hours of my day. I’d rather rest, spend time with my children, and study the scriptures.” Or it might take you away for 2 weeks every month, keep you at the office or shop till 9pm daily, compel you to travel to faraway lands at great risk constantly, etc.
This principle is often forgotten, especially in so-called prosperity-driven circles. The result of ignoring it is a life with little peace or joy—just an endless pursuit of income.
The Lord Jesus warned us about this. “Relax, my soul, for you have gathered much for many years,” said the rich man in the parable in Luke 12:16-21. But God responded, “You fool, tonight your soul will be required of you. Then who will own all this wealth? So is he that lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God. “
This is why a certain Bible writer prayed, Two things I ask of you, Lord; do not refuse me before I die: Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’ Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God. Proverbs 30:7-9 NIV
How many people can make this prayer today?
