Augustine summed up the heart of this psalm. “You have made us for yourself and our hearts are restless until they find rest in you.”
Daily we are bombarded with luring messages that promise contentment. The advertising industry is built with promises that come up short on delivery. Nothing is new under the sun and nothing of this world will bring deep inner peace.
Read More contentment, resurrection, purpose
This passage calls for us to reflect on our attitude toward our possessions and our riches. Whether we are rich or poor, we all have challenges.
If you don’t have enough, you depend on others to survive (whether by means of a social system or by friends and relatives). This takes humility. It’s not easy to ask for assistance. What’s more, it’s sometimes a challenge to remain honest, especially when there are pressing needs.
Read More Riches, contentment, pride, poverty, honesty
On the face of it this looks like a description of Paradise. “Everyone had enough to eat and drink, and they were happy.” They enjoyed fertility, plenty, prosperity and security.
But look a little closer, and a different picture begins to emerge. The story may well be told with some literary license, as is indicated by the opening statement that they were “as numerous as the sand on the seashore” (v 20 NIV; CEV’s “seemed like” is a paraphrase).
Read More discipleship, prosperity, contentment, wealthThis proverb is like a musical earworm. It stuck in my mind when Cathy and I were newly married. Now 43 years later it remains a reliable guide. Like all young couples starting out money matters loomed large. Then we navigated the financial challenges of launching our children in their new families. At each stage there were opportunities for discontent.
Read More contentment, wisdomThis proverb is like a musical earworm. It stuck in my mind when Cathy and I were newly married. Now 43 years later it remains a reliable guide. Like all young couples starting out money matters loomed large. Then we navigated the financial challenges of launching our children in their new families. At each stage there were opportunities for discontent.
Read More contentment, wisdom
Read Reflect The text that we just read introduces us to some illustrations drawn from the natural world. These are all examples of things that are never sufficient, are never satisfied, forever insatiable and which always want to receive. The author basically wants to illustrate the behaviour of human kind. It is part of human […]
Read More coveting, dissatisfaction, contentment
While making money is an unapologetic obsession for many and the need for it is universal, giving and receiving money can be hugely sensitive. Despite the warmth of his relationship with the Philippians, Paul leaves this tricky subject until his conclusion.
His comments are a lesson not only in godly attitude to finance but also in pastoral diplomacy and care.
Read More generosity, contentment, money, difficult choices, needThe Lord Jesus faced opposition from religious people during his lifetime. It was no different for his disciples. There will always be people who stray from the truth and cause destruction. Paul’s analysis in this passage suggests that often what lies behind disagreements is not truth but character.
Read More disagreements, character, contentment, money