Are you living a content life? So many of us spend our lives constantly striving for more. More money, more time, more adventure. But when do we ever take a moment and just be grateful!
Contentment in our current situations no matter how bad or good they may be is a hard thing for many of us to do! As a working mom, I know there are so many times when I feel this push to be more and to do more because of a guilt I feel about my situation, and yet, God calls us to be still.
Bible verses about contentment tell us to be content in all situations, regardless of how difficult they may seem. In this post we will learn a better understanding of the scriptures about contentment in the bible as well as get a few tips for living a more content life.
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What is the biblical definition of contentment
What is true contentment? How did Paul learn to be content? When I think about contentment I am automatically drawn to Philippians 4:11-13:
Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.
In this verse I think we get a pretty clear understanding of what the bible says about contentment. To be content is to learn to be okay in each and every circumstance you find yourself in. That is, whether you are in a valley or on the mountaintop, you find reason to praise. In all situations it is God that sustains you and the things around you are simply temporary.
In truth, this is the secret of contentment, is knowing that God is present always and that he provides consistently. In any station in life, he is capable and available. That is true contentment. This is what allows us to live in the present moment and truly be still
Bible Verses about contentment?
Whenever we are seeking the truth on a particular topic the first and best place we can go is the Word of the Lord. The bible is the ultimate resource for life and living. Bible verses about contentment are written throughout scripture, and in this post we will explore a few of them.
Now that we have a basic understanding of what the biblical meaning of contentment is lets dive into some additional bible verses on contentment.
Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5
This scripture about being content reminds us that what we have is proof that the Lord is with us. Our Father in heaven knows what we need and he is faithful to provide as tangible proof that he is walking this life with us.
But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 1 Timothy 6:6-8
In this contentment verse we are encouraged to be satisfied with what we have in this moment. We come to this earthly experience with nothing and we leave with nothing. Satisfaction is in the things that we are granted in this moment.
Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: Psalm 37:3-5
This verse is an encouragement not to worry. So much of our lack of contentment comes from worry about what is to come. There is a measure of trust in our contentment because when we live a life that is content we are saying to the Lord I trust you with my future. I trust you to be a good daddy and to know that everything will be okay!
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Matthew 6:25
Again this is a reiteration of the fact that contentment and worry can not co-exist. Life is so much more than the push for more! Life is about the experience, walking through it with the Lord. Trusting in him, gives us everything we need!
The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. Psalm 23:1
I love this verse about contentment as it is a declaration of satisfaction and contentment that comes from the Lord. It gives you position as the loved sheep of a loving shepherd. It also speaks the biblical affirmation that you have everything that you need.
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, Romans 14:17
The next entry in our list of bible verses about contentment is a reminder of what is truly important in life. Things like righteousness, peace and joy. If we are seeking more of anything. It should be things that are eternal!
If they obey and serve him, they will spend the rest of their days in prosperity and their years in contentment. Job 36:11
This bible verse about contentment tells us how to grow in a life of contentment and satisfaction. When we press into serving the Lord and obeying his laws we see both prosperity AND contentment with what we have. I also believe that we end up noticing that prosperity is much different than what we imagine!
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Proverbs about Contentment
I want to call out specifically the wisdom in the Proverbs about contentment. In proverbs we find wisdom to help us walk out our human experience! The bible verses about contentment found in Proverbs are a beautiful explanation of how to live a more content life.
Better a little with righteousness than much gain with injustice. Proverbs 16:8
In this proverb about contentment we are reminded that our motives should be holy and it is better to be content with the little that you have than to use unholy tactics to gain riches!
The greedy stir up conflict, but those who trust in the Lord will prosper. Proverbs 28:25
The faithless will be fully repaid for their ways, and the good rewarded for theirs. Proverbs 14:14
The previous two verses on contentment remind us that in our search for contentment we should continue to know the truth that it is only in trusting in the Lord that prosperity is found. The riches and wealth of the wicked is temporary, but that which comes from the Lord is eternal!
These bible verses are just a few of the new and old testament verses on contentment to help us live a more satisfied life. I have created a 31 day topical reading plan for contentment that you can download by clicking here or the picture below.
Alternatively, you can get a complete bible reading plan on contentment as well as a years worth of topical reading plans here for free without subscription!
What is the secret to contentment?
Understanding what the bible says is one thing, but putting that into practice is quite another. Especially when the world is so dedicated to keep us unsatisfied and constantly seeking more! Here are a few ways that we can be more content in our day to day lives!
Practice Gratitude and constantly thank the Lord for what he is doing in your life day to day! This can be in the form of gratitude journaling or simply being intentional about saying thank you for everything you receive.
Pray often and build your relationship with the Lord. Prayer is a conversation, it is a space where we get to slow down and get to know who our Father in heaven is and allow him to change our hearts to be more content.
Trust in the Lord and lean not on what you see. When the world is telling us that we need more, the Lord is telling us that he has given us all we need. Trust this and see your satisfaction grow!
Serve others as a way to reset your eyes on what you have. When we focus our intention on the needs of others we have less room to lament over the things that we do not have.
Build Relationship with Godly people for accountability. If you are prone to the desire for more, then having friends who can gently guide you back to a place of contentment is soo necessary.
Be present in the moment and do what is in front of you. Focusing more on the here and now verses always worrying about what is to come or what has come is one of the best ways to live a life of contentment.
See God in everything you have and do. When we attribute the things we have to the Lord, it becomes very hard for us to experience feelings of unsatisfaction.
Godliness with contentment is great gain
If you want to find contentment in your life, it starts by living for the Lord. Yes, there are plenty of things that can make us happy – but only God has the power to give us true satisfaction that will last. The 12 Month Topical Bible Reading Plan is a great way to study Scripture with others and live out these truths together as we all press into Christ more deeply each day. Check it out here!