Learn To Be Content (1)

I have learned to be content.
Philippians 4:11

The average person is bombarded with about 300 advertisements a day, promising everything from whiter teeth to faster cars. It's a mega-billion-dollar industry designed to make us want what they'reselling. But there's a subtle message being conveyed. In a word, it's discontent, and it eats away at us by creating a desire for bigger, better, more. The Bible says, "We... brought nothing into the world, sowe cannot take anything out... If we have food and covering... be content" (1 Timothy 6:7-8 ).
Sounds simple enough: food to eat,clothes to wear, a place to sleep. But how we live doesn't bear it out. When Rockefeller was asked, "How much does it take to satisfy a man? "with rare insight he replied, "A little more than he has now."

So does contentment mean not setting goals or aiming higher? Does it mean not enjoying nice things? No, it just means not letting all those nice things "own" you. Learning to be satisfied is a process.
That's why Paul said, "I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am... to get along with humble means... to live in prosperity... I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry... of having abundance and suffering need."
Paul mastered the art of enjoying whatever came along by learning to say, "That's not essential. I can live without it."
Paul, who told Timothy to follow his example, enjoyed hot dogs or filet mignon, a holiday on the Riviera or under a bridge, a gold-covered, diamond-studded, velvet-cushioned chariot, or a dirty donkey with a limp. His focus was right on target. He held every earthly 'thing' loosely. So should you!