Contentment

Is finding contentment one of your greatest challenges?

It is mine.

The other day I was helping a friend of mine unpack her new home. I got the job of organizing her closet. Her gorgeous, fully shelved, giant, walk-in closet.
I found myself being a little envious of all the storage space, and the shelving.
Then I found myself a bit envious of her shoe collection.
Then it was her clothes. Gorgeous dresses!

But then I remembered that I have a huge closet.
I have shoes, many shoes!
And I have MORE than enough clothes!

I'm such a whiner!

I am always catching myself wanting more "stuff".
What else?
A new entertainment center. Well, actually a buffet to sit underneath my TV.
My idea is gorgeous, my desire is strong, and I usually end up getting what I want.

But I catch myself thinking about what I could be doing with the $400 instead.

Here's a few things I found through World Vision that I could give instead:

Give  $420 worth of medicine for only $35

Share of a deep well for $100

This can provide up to 28,000 people with clean water

$300 worth of necessities to children in poverty for $25

A Goat and 2 chickens for $100

This would change a family's life

Hope for sexually exploited girls for $35

This will provided women with medical care, food, education, and training to women and girls who have been sexually exploited.

And you can get all of these things for $295.

For less than $300 how many lives can you save?

And I want to spend that money on a place for my flat screen TV.

Seeing why I'm feeling a little bit convicted?

Hebrews 13:5 

Keep your life free from the love of money, and be content with what you have, for He has said, "I will never leave you or forsake you."

1 Timothy 6:6-8

Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these with will be content.

Phillipians 4: 11-13

Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound, In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all thing through him who strengthens me.

There are so many more with so much less than I have.

And I catch myself full of greed on a daily basis.

I am praying for contentment in all my circumstances. 

Because I know that true happiness comes through Christ, not things.