Proverbs 15:16-17 Content
God shares through Solomon that it is better to be content with what you have than to spend your life dissatisfied and reaching for more. He is my source.
This is the last two verses of the first breakdown my bible helps gave for this chapter. I broke the section down even further. I don’t know how the next proverbs will be broken down.
Today’s verses though deal with being content with what you have. This does NOT mean sitting back and never trying to improve yourself or your relationships. What it does mean is not being so dissatisfied with where you are and what you have right now that you miss the blessings of “now.”
So many people are consumed with “trying to get ahead” or “planning for the future” that they don’t take time to enjoy what they have today. Sure, it may not be much, but what you have RIGHT NOW is a gift from God. Being alive is a gift. Each breath is a gift also. Take time to enjoy what you have now. Find a way to be content in the moment.
I’m reading a book series about a private eye, his wife, and their good friend. The wife in the stories is always trying to get more money. She likes the “good life” and when she gets a taste of it, she is loath to go back to where they were before. She complains bitterly to her husband when they are low on funds but she spends like they are never going to run out. She has to have the very best.
The husband on the other hand is fine with whatever situation he is in. He has no problem with using “Salvation Army” furniture for his office. He doesn’t see the need to try and impress others with wealth or to even have more than you need right now. He is content with just being who he is.
Paul said the same thing about his life. “Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:11-13). He refused to stop preaching the gospel because of his circumstances. He trusted in God to supply his physical needs. He willingly worked when the opportunities presented themselves. Even in chains he was content. He treasured each moment and each opportunity God gave him to share His love.
Paul grew in his relationship with God. He didn’t start out being ready to be put in prison. In fact he was helped to escape several times. But when the time came for him to take God’s word into the prison cell, he went willingly. He didn’t rail against God for proposing such a task. And God IS the one who told him that he would be bound for the gospel. Paul took on this task and did the best he could to serve the Lord wherever he was at.
God wants us to grow; to bear fruit. Sometimes that “fruit” seems to pop out without even a sweat. Other times it takes great effort to bring it to life. But focusing only on the end result makes you miss the blessings along the way. Imagine if Peter focused only on Jesus calming the storm instead of asking to be allowed to walk with Him on the water. I know, his walk didn’t last very long, but he was the only one willing to try. What a GIFT he received that day because he dealt with the now instead of what was still to come. The boat wasn’t any less wind tossed at that moment. The rain continued to pour down. Their progress to shore was just as difficult. But Peter focused on Jesus at that moment in time and received something no one else in the whole bible did. And when he lost his contentment he began to sink.
God isn’t calling you to have NOTHING though. Solomon rightly says “Better is a little with the fear of the Lord” (verse 16a). When you have nothing it is an even bigger struggle to live for “now.” Your whole body demands you focus on your survival. Its needs refuse to be quieted. There is little contentment in this situation.
Apart from God, there is NO contentment. He is the one who can quiet our heart. We KNOW that with Him we are safe. Because of this, even in the most severe situations we CAN find contentment. Paul and Silas, beaten near death and in the darkest depths of prison, found contentment enough to sing praises to the Lord. They didn’t know what He had planned next for them. They had no idea that their praises would shake the walls and pop the doors right off their hinges. All they knew was that, wherever they were, and in whatever situation they were in, their hearts were filled SO full of God’s love that they couldn’t help but sing about it. That praise rose right up to the Throne Room of Heaven. It touched God’s heart and He moved on their behalf. And souls were saved that very night!
I wonder if they started out singing quietly. What songs did they sing that night? Were they slow to start with and build in tempo and volume as their hearts began to lift? I know that experience well! Often, when I’m hurting, God gives me a song. When I sing that song, even in a quiet voice, something begins to break. If I stay with the praise, before long the spirit of depression and pain lifts. The more I sing the higher my spirit soars! There I find contentment again, no matter the circumstances. My situation most likely has not changed but my heart has. I have laid whatever is bothering me in His hands and I KNOW He is big enough to deal with it.
Father God, thank You for EVERY time You have brought me back to contentment. Thank You that You have ALWAYS met my needs. I have never been anywhere You could not reach. YOU are my strength and shield. You are the balm for my spirit. You are my high tower where I can ALWAYS run in times of trouble. Your arms are ALWAYS open to enfold me. No Matter What Comes, YOU Are With Me! And because of this I am content.
