" CONTENTMENT "

First Things First,I appreciate you stopping by.

This week we will be looking into Contentment. Ease of mind; Satisfaction. To covet is to wish to have the possessions of others. It goes beyond simply admiring someone else's possessions or thinking, " I'd like to have one of those." Coveting includes envy-resenting, the fact that others have what you don't.

God knows, however, that possessions never make anyone happy for long. Since only God can supply all our needs, true contentment is found only in Him. When you begin to covet, try to determine if a more basic need is leading you to envy. Now for example, you may covet someone's success, not because you want to take it away from him, but because you would like to feel as appreciated by others as he is. If this is the case, pray that God will help you deal with your resentment and meet your basic needs.

We deceive ourselves when we measure our happiness or contentment in life by the amount of wealth we possess. When we put riches at the top of our Value System, Pleasure, and Financial security overshadow the Eternal Value of our relationship with God. We think that we will be happy or content when we get riches, only to discover that they don't really satisfy, and the pleasures fade away. The treasure measurement of happiness or contentment is found in God's Love and in doing His Will.

You will find true happiness if you put your relationship with God above earthly riches. Pride results from overvaluing ourselves and undervaluing others. It leads to restlessness because it makes us dissatisfied with what we have and concerned about what everyone else is doing. It keeps us always hungering for more attention and adoration. By contrast, humility, puts others first and allows us to be content with God's leading in our lives. Such contentment gives us security so that we no longer have to prove ourselves to others. Let humility and trust affect your perspective and give you the strength and freedom to serve God and others. We may not get all that we want. But by trusting in Jesus Christ, our attitudes and appetites can change from wanting everything to excepting His provision and power to live for Him.

Until next Time...
Jim