Thanksgiving:  The Secret to Contentment
By Pastor David Kuntz

Contentment is a highly prized virtue among men today, yet it eludes them.  People continue to seek for contentment where it cannot be found.  They will look for it in money, jobs, power, relationships and freedom from difficulties.  But this worldly idea of real contentment is unattainable in this fallen world.  True contentment is not found in possessions, but in a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.  When a person accepts the Lord as Savior, the Holy Spirit comes to permanently indwell the heart of the believer.  One thing the Spirit will do in the heart of new believer, is make him thankful.  An attitude of thankfulness is something that should characterize every believer.  However, the month after Thanksgiving is when this spirit will really be tested.  We are bombarded with ads for every imaginable thing.  Instead of being thankful for what we have, we will long for more things.

Our Lord didn’t leave us on this earth without a solution to this temptation and sin.  In 1 Thessalonians 5:18 the apostle Paul spelled out the secret of contentment for us.  “In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.”  Paul says the one way you can be content is by being a thankful Christian.  Giving thanks in everything is by far one of the most difficult tasks for us, especially when the situations do not make sense and are extremely painful.  Yet this difficult task has been assigned to believers - for this is the will of God.  Learning to give thanks in everything means learning to trust God completely.  God will frequently use difficult situations to build character and strengthen faith.  I’d like to look at two reasons why thankful people are content.  First, thankful people rejoice in what they have.  “But godliness actually is a means of great gain, when accompanied by contentment.  For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either.  And if we have food and covering, with these we shall be content”  (1 Timothy 6:6-8).  True gain comes from a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.  As one commentator put it: “True contentment comes from godliness in the heart, not money in the hand.”  The apostle’s happiness did not depend on his circumstances or things.  No, his joy came from something deeper apart from poverty or prosperity.  No matter what situation you’re facing, rejoice in what you have in Christ! 

Secondly, thankful people refuse to be ruled by what they don’t have.  In 1 Timothy 6:9-10 the apostle Paul gives us 6 reasons why we should refuse riches.  Reason #1 - It leads to temptation.  “But those who want to get rich fall into temptation”  (1 Timothy 6:9a).  Reason #2 - It leads to a trap.  “And those who get rich fall into a snare” (1 Timothy 9b).  Reason #3 - It leads to harmful desires.  “And many foolish and harmful desires”  (1 Timothy 6:9c).  Reason #4 - It leads to eternal punishment.  “Which plunge men into ruin and destruction”  (1 Timothy 6:9d).  Reason #5 - It leads one away from the faith. “For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith”  (1 Timothy 6:10a).  Reason #6 - It leads to many sorrows.  “And pierced themselves with many a pang”  (1 Timothy 6:10b).  With this list of reasons, it’s no wonder that Paul refused riches.  Discontentment will overtake you when you stop thinking of others and only think of yourself.  The way you will become content is by rejoicing in what you have in Christ and refusing to be ruled by what you don’t have.  Do others see you as a contented person or as a covetous person?  If you’re struggling with this sin, will ask the Savior to help you get victory?  If you need any spiritual help please contact us at our e-mail address on this web page.  We would love to help you spiritually.