The Secret of Contentment

Did you know Paul was referring to being content when he wrote these famous words? I didn’t either until I read Satisfied by Jeff Manion. A mentor, who has been kind enough to coach me in the areas of donor care and fundraising, introduced this book to me, and it changed my perspective on middle-class American contentment.

Paul writes in Phil. 4:10-12 how he has “learned the secret” to be content regardless of whether or not his needs are met. The secret as both Paul and Manion go on to articulate is being satisfied within our identity as God’s children. Our ‘needs’ are put into perspective when we live believing that God only places value in who we are, not what we own or have accomplished.

Manion goes on to write, “The tragedy is not that we who occupy the middle class are rich when compared to the larger world but that we are rich and utterly unaware. ... The scandal is not how much we have but how little we think we have, and thus, how much more we expect and demand. Our souls are in danger. In danger of the felony of ingratitude. In danger of straying from the God whose goodness is so immense and so often ignored.”

The hope on the other side of this danger is the famous encouragement from Paul. The NIV says, “I can do all this through him…” Referring directly to being content; satisfied. Tim Keller says we can only truly rest when we are satisfied. We can be restored physically, emotionally, and spiritually when we rest in the security of belonging to a God who is strong, generous, and caring.

Manion suggests the classic practice of listing out blessings we have received from God as an exercise of gratefulness and a step towards contentment. Because his audience is middle-class America he reminds us to list things we take for granted such as literacy, transportation, healthcare, etc. I encourage you to accept Manion’s challenge and make a list for yourself and help your children make a list of their own. How does this list change your attitude towards the areas of discontentment you are currently facing?

We can be less stressed. We can be less anxious. We can be content. Through Him.

Peter Jenkins, Director of Advancement