Contentment is often elusive, and in today's materialistic world, it is especially hard for us to find. The ease of credit has made it possible to obtain the next, latest, and greatest thing with relative ease. No more scrimping and saving. No more waiting until you have enough saved up. You can get it now. What was new and great yesterday, is today passé, old, and in need of an upgrade. By the way, what version of the iPhone are we up to today? But this is nothing new to the human experience. We always want more than what we have. It started in the Garden of Eden with a bite of forbidden fruit. At one point, the wealthiest man in the world was asked how much money is enough, and his answer was just a little bit more. Contentment is elusive.

The Apostle Paul, writing to Titus, begins chapter 3 with the words, “Remind them." The Greek grammar is in the present tense; keep on reminding them, and it was a command to continually remind those Christians under Titus’ care to show care and respect to all people, especially those in authority. However, Paul delves into detail in chapter 3, contrasting seven virtues with seven "negative virtues" that describe our state before and after our life in Christ. In vs. 3 he mentions “passing our days in malice and envy.”

To be envious is easily understood; it is to want, desire, or obsess over something someone else has that you don't have. Typically, we think of material things, such as a car, a house, or a job. But notice that Paul also includes the phrase “passing our days in malice.” How are these two connected? Envy often leads to malicious activity. Envy can be seen as the intellect, and malice as the activity borne from that envy.

Several years ago, a prominent figure skater hired an individual to “knee-cap” her competitor and rival in order to win the competition. Her envy of her competitor's superior skill and ability led to a malicious act to enhance her chances of winning the medal. We also see this connection early in Scripture. Cain was jealous (envious) of his brother Abel’s accepted offering to the Lord while he wasn't, and in a malicious act of violence, committed the first murder noted in Scripture.

The accompanying acts of malice will always note envy. God told Cain, “And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is for you, but you must rule over it” (Gen. 4:7). There is a way for us today to rule over sin, temptation and envy, so that it does not lead to malice. It is the cross and a focus on what Jesus did for us. Paul continues in Titus 3, stating, "But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit” (Titus 3:5).

Contentment is often elusive, but it does not have to be. A focus on material, financial, and other things will always lead to acts of malice, the fruit of envy. A focus on the cross, on our standing in Christ, will always lead to contentment. Contentment is the recognition that our provider is not self but God. If contentment is intellectual, then acts of mercy and kindness toward others will be the exhibited fruit, as Paul mentions in vs. 8, “So that those who have believed in God (those saved and in Christ) may be careful (focused on Jesus) to devote themselves to good works" – the evidence of genuine contentment.

As we contemplate all that we have and all that we think we want, may we practice contentment in thought, evidenced by our walk.

“But godliness with contentment is great gain” (1 Tim. 6:6).

Rev. Bill Allan,

AGC President

A Legacy of Blessing: Being Content in Thoughts and Actions