1 Timothy 6:6,7 “But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.”
Living in Africa, I see a huge amount of physical suffering and poverty on a daily basis. And yet I also see many people with minimal possessions live contented lives of true satisfaction.
The story is told of an old tribal chief in the Congo who asked his chief witchdoctor to help him because although he seemingly had everything, he was still lacking happiness and fulfilment. The witchdoctor told the chief he’d find lasting satisfaction if the shirt of a contented man was brought for him to wear. His subjects set off to find such a person, and after a long search they tracked down a man who was really happy and content. But he didn’t even possess a shirt.
In sharp contrast, I read the following article: “A few years ago, the Rolling Stones’ most successful tour grossed $80 million. Mick Jagger, their leader, has houses in New York (£2.5m), Richmond (£2.2m), the Loire (£1.5m) and Mustique (£2m). He is a friend of the rich, titled, famous and even royalty. He has had five children by three women, and had bedded some of the most beautiful women in the world. He has fame, money and influence. His friend Keith Richards says: “99% of the world would give a limb to live the life of Mick Jagger, to be Mick Jagger… and he’s not happy being Mick Jagger.” The Elle magazine article concludes: “30 years after the Stones’ most defining moment in song, the one certain thing about Mick Jagger is that he is unsatisfied still. And for all that he possesses and has done, he tries and he tries and he tries and he tries…”
Two people, two extremes, neither probably close to your current reality. But the lesson is clear. Who/what/where are you looking to today for your satisfaction?
Lord, I choose to be content with what I have today. Amen!
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