Finding Contentment

From dealing with unwanted traffic problems to unexplained tragedies, contentment is a rare jewel that adorns anyone in possession of it. This past December, I wrote an article for Tabletalk Magazine on topic of contentment, considering the question, “What helps us learn contentment as we journey in our Christian walk?”

In the article, I offer four qualifiers for contentment:

A Trusting Heart
A Teachable Mind-set
A Sacrificial Life
A Heavenly Hope

Here are some of my thoughts on the necessity of a sacrificial life in our quest for contentment:

Jesus explained a third qualifier for contentment when He taught His disciples:

And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it. For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? For what can a man give in return for his soul?” (Mark 8:34–37)

He who gains the most trinkets and toys does not win contentment in the game of life. When the world is gained, it may provide momentary happiness, but it is impossible for lasting joy to be sustained from temporary pleasure.

In contrast, the upside down way of the gospel leads us to deny ourselves, and in doing so, we encounter a surprising result: we find life. Contentment is won not by gaining, but by giving. Not by addition, but by subtraction.

Going forth as living sacrifices, we are alive not for consuming the things of the world, but alive in hopes of being consumed for it. We give of our money, time, and talents, hoping to use all that is entrusted to us to forward the work of the gospel. We face trouble, hardship, and persecution, knowing deep within our souls that though we may possess nothing, we have everything: “He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life” (1 John 5:12).

The beauty of a sacrificial life shines brightly as it burns, consumed but content.

You can read the entire article at the Ligonier Ministry website and find out more about Tabletalk Magazine. Tabletalk is a daily devotional full of encouragement and wisdom.