So, how do we deal with this innate drive to have more? How do we avoid going deeper into debt until we work ourselves into a frenzy, find that our emotional fuses are short with those we say we love, and discover we have spent little time seeking the Kingdom and His righteousness?
Hebrews 13:5 Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." 6 So we may boldly say: "The LORD is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?"
Just how content are we? I know I have struggled many times with this myself. I’ve also noticed that my struggle kicks in whenever I am failing to seek the Kingdom as I ought.
Believe it or not this not merely an avoidance Scripture. Most will read this and think, “if I just avoid covetousness I’ll be doing good.” Well that is short sighted thinking. One of the ten commandments dealt with this issue already from an avoidance perspective and it was proven we cannot stay away from it from that angle. We need something noble to pursue.
What is that which is more noble? Contentment. Taking solace in the fact that the Lord is with us! What fruit will this produce?
The Lord is my helper; I will not fear! What can man do to me?
Philippians 4:11 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: 12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
We like to quote I can do all things for things other than having the ability to be abased or having abundance.
Paul was at a place of being content in his circumstances but these Philippians felt they wanted to bless him and they did so. He was appreciative for this act of love on their part but he also wants them to catch the lesson he is living out before them.
I have learned to be content in whatever state I find myself in.
About The Author
- Tim Atchley
- Knoxville, Tennessee, United States
- I currently serve as Senior Pastor of Harvest Church in Knoxville, Tn. I was sent out from Trinity Chapel of Knoxville in 1993 accompanied by my wife Sheila our four children Sarah, Hannah, Josiah & Isaac and a handful of bold, brave and committed believers determined to plant our first church. Pioneering is hard work but well worth the journey. That is why we desire to make disciples of Christ who will, like us, also embrace the call to plant churches.
