Complacency vs. Contentment....the Wayfarer 1/15/16

Complacency vs. Contentment
1/15/16

⁶ But godliness with contentment is great gain.

⁷ For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.

⁸ And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.

(1 Timothy 6-8)

Paul’s missive to the young minister that gives so much pertinent guidance to both him in his day, and us in ours, echoes the teachings of none less than Jesus in reference to having contentment with the blessings delivered us, rather than constantly seeking earthly gain as opposed to the gain that is attained through a contentment given only through the spiritual gain, achieved by serving our Savior instead of our own wishes and wealth.

Matthew 6:19-21 King James Version (KJV)

¹⁹ Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:

²⁰ But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:

²¹ For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Neither Paul, nor Jesus asked us to be complacent in that contentment!

Complacency comes with apathy.

Contentment comes with responsibility for action!

Far too many find complacency comfortable, soothing, and an easy way out of giving the service that is required to actually find that contentment.

An attitude that exhibits what one of my brethren would describe as holding a fire insurance policy, paid in full is ascribed to by many who fail to understand that that fire insurance policy demands more than merely, “I have mine, and that is enough.”

Yes, that fire insurance policy, salvation obtained through the grace given us by God through faith in Christ Jesus, once given, is sufficient for each one to whom it is given, and will not be denied, if that faith is real, if that grace is accepted on the terms with which it is given, through repentance, and belief.

That faith will not be denied by the attitude of complacency and apathy, but will inevitably manifest itself through service to our Savior to assure the “fire insurance policy” is known by all to be as available to them as to the one holding it!

Ephesians 2:8-10King James Version (KJV)

⁸ For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

⁹ Not of works, lest any man should boast.

¹⁰ For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Faith is evidenced by that very service demanded of us, not as a means of securing that grace, not as a means of proving that faith, but as a natural and nurturing change that is a result of both that grace and that faith!

(James 2:13-20)

¹³ For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.

¹⁴ What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?

¹⁵ If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,

¹⁶ And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?

¹⁷ Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

¹⁸ Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.

¹⁹ Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.

²⁰ But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead.

Complacency ignores the needs of all around us. Apathy assures that guilt is assuaged by the apathetic, without ever giving legs to the prayers that are given and answered by the truly faithful.

Physical needs are necessary to be filled when possible. Spiritual needs are to be filled without regard to possibility, as all things are indeed possible with God!

Contentment comes with the price of labor!

That Labor may, and in fact does vary from individual to individual dependent upon the blessings and gifts given each individual, but does not vary in the necessity of it being expended in the intended service for which it was given~!

Now, let us return, momentarily to the entire chapter from which the opening was taken:

 1 Timothy 6King James Version (KJV)

6 Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed.

² And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort.

³ If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;

⁴ He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,

⁵ Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.

⁶ But godliness with contentment is great gain.

⁷ For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.

⁸ And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.

⁹ But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.

¹⁰ For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

¹¹ But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.

¹² Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.

¹³ I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession;

¹⁴ That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:

¹⁵ Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;

¹⁶ Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.

¹⁷ Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;

¹⁸ That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;

¹⁹ Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

²⁰ O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called:

²¹ Which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen.

“Flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.

Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses”

Action is required, action of a specific nature, and it is that specific nature that allows endurance in a time that is difficult to endure, giving contentment to those who keep that trust that has been placed in them.

This action will only take place if faith truly exists in the action that was taken by Christ Jesus, His birth, life, ministry, crucifixion and resurrection and continuing love that instills that action in those manifesting the evidence of that faith.

Let others dispute, condemn, deny, and hold only to their own “fire insurance policy”.

Let us give the demanded service in the manner befitting the blessings bestowed upon us until we too come to the end of the fight that must be fought, and share our contentment with our place in that fight, as well as our contentment with the assurance given us that what is given is indeed sufficient, both now and for eternity as well!

2 Timothy 1:12-14 King James Version (KJV)

¹² For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

¹³ Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.

¹⁴ That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us.

Amen and Amen.
the Wayfarer