Contentment

I have begun a Sunday Bible study based on a book called Cultivating Contentment. I think what I have is the workbook, not the actual book book. Make sense?

Anyway this weeks lesson was Discontent. Discontent in the dictionary as a noun means:
: lack of contentment: a : a sense of grievance : dissatisfaction b : restless aspiration for improvement.

Does this describe you? In reading over the lesson I discovered that many of the things the author (Lucy Swindol wrote the forward but I am unsure how much of the study guide she wrote) listed many things that do not affect me. Her examples included, clothes you bought 2 seasons ago (most of mine are at least 2 seasons old!) Kitchen wallpaper, I have none. Actually the one thing on her list I would like to change, I have no bedroom curtains... I would like some once I decide on material I will probably make some.

The questions are based o Scripture. For example, what is the lesson from Proverbs 30: 15, 16?
What 4 things never say enough?
Hey that gives me an idea... What if I hosted a drawing and the entry is the answer to a Bible question...
I could post it on Monday and pick a winner on Friday...

Anyway back to contentment.
I remember never being content. Now days I still feel an urge to change something. Not often. Some days for example I wish I stayed home instead of working. However working fills a need in me to help others. I love my job. I love my home. If I stayed at home I would probably miss working.

So how do we find contentment in this world that Paul tells us in Romans 8 is subject to frustration? We turn to God. We train ourselves that only by following HIS word can we find contentment here on earth. No this does not mean we must shun prosperity or make ourselves look mournful and be content that way. That is false humility. Isaiah asks in chapter 55 why we do not use our money to buy bread and to use our labor for things that satisfy.

So many times I see dour Christians who deny themselves things in the name of godliness. They seem to think it makes them look pious, when really it makes Christianity look scary and unwelcoming. Like several proverbs say, better is little with contentment and love than much with contention.

Contentment and contention are polar opposites and can not reside together.

Anyway my first day of this study I can say it puts a new light on some things. However I can also say Miss Swindol seems promote the idea that a life of decadent delicacies and frivolity, if affordable is ok. I am not sure I agree. I am a utilitarian person. That means that while I like a few knick knacks, over all I prefer things that have a function. I prefer to have a function.

I wonder what next weeks study will reveal...