Recognizing spiritual inheritance secret to contentment

I have a Facebook page. Through the past year, and through my son John Scott’s heart journey, the connection that Facebook provided us was quite valuable.

Our daughter-in-law Dana posted constant updates. People responded on Facebook that they were praying for him. I welcomed this avenue of social media that allowed us to ask for prayer for John Scott.

As a result, friends and even strangers were praying for him. We treasured all of their prayers.

Yet, last week I heard a sermon that addressed another side of Facebook. The preacher’s point was that there is a wave of discontentment sweeping America. He claimed that we see this wave in politics, in education, and especially on social media such as Facebook.

Here was the speaker’s point: On social media, we see only a carefully selected snapshot of a person’s life. We see only what he or she wants us to see. The posts have been selectively chosen.

Frequently we see well-adjusted, clean and happy children, all standing in a perfect row, waiting to go to church. We see a husband adoringly kissing his wife on the cheek and saying, “I could never live without you.”

There are well-orchestrated outings with old friends, or an unusual and expensive birthday party that could be featured in a magazine. Photos of exotic and expensive vacation pictures stream Facebook. Sometimes it seems those photos are screaming, “We can afford this European trip. Aren’t we fortunate?”

The preacher observed that in many pictures, all of their high school grandchildren are summa cum laude graduates. Athletic children hit home runs, thus providing scholarships to elite colleges. Friends have houses that remain clean and organized, and the bread winner always earns job promotions. And finally, mothers never gain weight.

But the preacher posed this question: Do we honestly believe that their families, marriages, finances, social life and careers are that perfect? His point was that many times, Facebook plants the seed of discontent in some people. I think that may be true.

Many are discontent in America, and their effort to reach unrealistic standards or their efforts to keep up with others keeps them in inner turmoil.

What does the Bible say about contentment?

First, the Bible says we ought to be satisfied with who we are. The Apostle Paul was satisfied with his circumstances and who he was, even when he was being persecuted and in prison.

Paul said, “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength,” (Philippians 4:12-13).

Second, the Bible says we should be satisfied with what we have, and not worry about accumulating more. That is, don’t focus on accumulating wealth as the main goal in life.

Solomon, who had great wisdom and great wealth, said, “Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income. This too is meaningless,” (Ecclesiastes 5:10). He said money and wealth, and the accumulation of wealth, are meaningless. Even Jesus said, “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?” (Matthew 6:25).

Third, we should be satisfied about where we are going in this life. Riches and possessions mean nothing when facing death. The Bible states, “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.” (Hebrews 9:27) So everyone dies whether rich or poor, and we all leave the world in the same way.

Focusing solely on accumulating as much as or more than what others have only leads us down a path of discontent. That should not be our goal.

Jonathan Edwards, the wise preacher, wrote: “The enjoyment of God is our proper aim; and is the only happiness with which our souls can be satisfied.”

Remember that in spite of our individual situations, we are children of Jesus Christ. We have everything we need in this life, and forevermore, as believers, we can be content knowing that we are “joint heirs with Christ” (Romans 8:17). Our inheritance is unlimited.

Recognizing this spiritual fact is the secret to contentment.

Judy Brandon writes about faith for The Eastern New Mexico News. Contact her at: [email protected]