Contentment

Today I preached on finding contentment. Once I really wanted a metal detector. I could see myself finding valuable coins and relics in our backyard. I wanted to take it to the beach and find a Rolex watch or a gold nugget on the beach. So I dropped numerous hints to my family knowing my birthday was coming up. And they gave me one! That was eight years ago and I have used that gadget about 3-4 times. When we go to the beach, I either forget to pack it or the trunk is full with everybody's toys! Life is like that. We buy into our culture's mantra of "stuff brings happiness." The truth is stuff brings debt, more responsibilities and the anxiety to maintain and keep up with it! Stuff leads to worry and misplacement of trust and loyalties. Paul wrote from a prison cell in Rome that he had discovered the secret of contentment. (Philippians 4: 11-12) He tells us that contentment is found in our relationships with Christ, our family and our friends. Jesus said that contentment is found in two loves - our love for God and our neighbor. No stuff required there.

So I think I will go out and do something to build contentment. I'm going out in the yard to play with that old metal detector and I'll take one of my family members along. Of course, that means any treasure we find I'll have to share. And I'm content with that!