What You Have

     What does it take for us to say we have enough?  Many who struggle with this answer the question of “enough?” with “just one more.”  But where does it stop?  

To those that struggle with contentment... there will never be enough.  It will always lie one arms length beyond their ability to sleep at night.   Those that live in this camp wonder when the next one will be and never cherish what is.  Their entire existence is based on what they might miss out on by not having more.  Today’s verse helps with this.  

“Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth.”  1 Timothy 6:6

“Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have.”   Philippians 4:11 (Paul)

Godliness with contentment, Paul says, is of great value.  In fact, he goes on to tell the churches in Philipi that he has “learned how to be content with whatever I have.” [sic].  

What was Paul’s secret?  What helped him move from greedy to grateful?  It’s simple.  Perspective.  Paul saw that his needs were met and that was enough.  He probably had wants...things that he’d like to have in his life... but he realized that these were superfluous to his mission.   Paul was sent to spread the Gospel... and help those around him find Christ as Lord.  He knew that God would provide whatever he needed to fulfill his calling.  

Is that you today?  Are you focused on the things you want instead of giving thanks for the things you have?  I suggest taking the energy you might spend on trying to satisfy discontent and invest it in yourself in other areas:  read more, study the Bible more, take care of your body more, journal more, and serve others more.  

It was once said, “Be content with what you have, never with what you are.”  Interesting idea... Remember, the goal isn’t to acquire things, satisfy desires, or fill up square footage in your house... it’s to become a better you and draw closer to Christ.  How?  

1. Stop determining your value by things or opinions.  Only one evaluation matters...and that’s from God.  (Ephesians 2:10)
2. Be content with what God provides... and don’t worry about what He doesn’t.  Your needs will be met.  (Philippians 4:19)
3. Keep walking down the road to your God potential.   Don’t let discontent shift your focus from gratitude to ungratefulness.  (Psalm 107:1)

Let’s take the journey together!

Popcorn

“Don’t love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said,

“I will never fail you.
    I will never abandon you.”  Hebrews 13:5 

How many of you like popcorn at the movies?  Most of us, right?  A study of moviegoers in Philadelphia found that people will eat more popcorn if it is in a bigger box.  We see it so we eat it... even when our stomachs tell us we’re full.      

This got me to thinking about contentment.  How many of us live our lives with our eyes instead of our stomachs. We see more so we want more... even when we know we have enough.  The Bible tells us in Hebrews 13:5 that we should be content with what we have... not spend our time trying to have all of our wants satisfied.  Look around you today... are all of your needs met?  Stop reaching into the box.  Instead, focus on giving thanks for the blessings!

Who Do You Work For?

Baseball great Joe DiMaggio was a very unique player.   He just never quit.  When asked why he continually gave it all he had (even when the game was out of reach)... DiMaggio smiled and said “"There is always some kid who may be seeing me for the first or last time, I owe him my best."

So many times we don’t try to be great because we can get away with good.  We ease up, slack off, pull back, or slow down.  Not because we can’t do it... but because we don’t have to.  We settle for a “C” when our potential is an “A”.... If you’ve ever felt like letting the feeling of “good enough” take over... remember today’s verse:

“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men,”  Colossians 3:23

Joe DiMaggio worked hard consistently because of his inner drive.. his work ethic... and his unwillingness to settle.  He worked for Yankee manager Joe McCarthy.  If you are a Christ-follower... you should work hard, be driven, have a high work ethic, and push the envelope too... but not because you work for a demanding manager.  You work for God.  

Whatever you do... you work for God.  Plumber to pizza maker to politician.... Your boss came to Earth over 2000 years ago and died so that you could be a world-changer.  Defeat the feeling of “good-enough”... push yourself to try harder, work with joy, and represent Christ in everything you do.   Jesus gave all He had.  He held nothing back.  

Why shouldn’t we do the same... all day... everyday.