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...the man to whom little is not enough will not benefit from more...
- Columbanus, Letter VI (Irish, 7th century)
Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment...
- 1 Timothy 6.6
A report over the weekend indicated that not a few shoppers are stocking up on big ticket items this year - for themselves.
Oh, they're spending lots of money on family and friends, to be sure. But they are reserving the really special gifts - computers and other tech stuff, hi-def flat screen TVs, new cars - for themselves.
Christmas sales are on pace to set new records this year, in spite of the unfavorable economy. No one seems to care that times are tough. This is apparently a good time for Americans to be stocking up on more and more of more and more.
Does this betray a kind of discontent in our souls? Are we thinking that if we just acquire a little more stuff we'll be able to put the recession behind us and get on with life the way it used to be?
If so, we're headed for some serious disappointment.
This is a great season for Christians to be learning contentment. "Having food and raiment," Paul wrote, "let us be content" (1 Tim. 6.8). Who of us can say the Amen to that?
But what a great gift contentment is! To be free of coveting, fretting, jealousy, and perpetually feeling not quite right. To be at peace, abounding in joy, reaching out to others with the message of Christ's love. When we are content with who we are in Jesus, and what Jesus has been pleased to give us, then we can help others find that contentment as well.
But as long as things and more things titillate and entice us, we'll never know true contentment. And we'll never understand the real meaning of Christmas, that Jesus came to bring peace and joy which surpass any untoward circumstances, any want of stuff, to create in us an eternal contentment that nothing can take away.
May you know that wonderful contentment this year, and every year, through our Lord Jesus Christ.
T. M. Moore, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.