Thursday, October 1, 2009

Joy Challenge - Day 28 - Contentment



The attitude we studied in our Bible study this past week was covetousness. Before we opened our books and Bibles to begin, we all rather sheepishly looked at one another and unanimously agreed that this was one attitude we thought we weren't going to have to be too concerned about, but......

As James MacDonald took us through the study it became apparent to each of us that we all, in one way or another, do indeed struggle with covetousness. Here is the definition he gave us:

"Covetousness is wanting something so much that you lose your satisfaction in God. It's looking elsewhere for what only God can give."

Gulp...rather convicting - especially after the time of self-examination I've undergone recently. One of the areas of covetousness he listed was "coveting status or position." I looked into my own little heart and saw not a blatant jockeying for power and position, but that subtle, pervasive need for the approval of others.

Another area - "coveting your own agenda." Oh dear - another hit. How I dearly love to have everyone and everything under control, and I do so enjoy making my own plans.

The encouraging part of the study is that for every negative attitude there is an opposing positive one. Contentment is the answer to a heart marred by covetousness.

"Contentment," writes James MacDonald, " is a satisfaction in God's sufficient provision, to rest in what you have and to seek nothing more, a settled sense of adequacy."

If I have a heart that is fully trusting and fully satisfied with whatever the Father provides or allows into my life - then I will have genuine contentment. When I am always striving for something more, the more will never be enough. When I have an eternal perspective, I will have more than I could ever have imagined.

And my heart will be filled with joy!

"But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is there your heart is."
Matt. 6:20-21

Blessings,
Linda