Contentment is commanded in the Scriptures, but it is also one of the great fruits or results of living the Christian life. Paul famously said he had learned to be content in any and every situation (Philippians 4:11, 12). But why is contentment commanded, and why is it naturally an outgrowth of walking with God? The writer of Hebrews tells us…

Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5 (ESV)

This beautiful little verse tells us where contentment comes from. Notice that we are not simply told to suck it up and be content with what we have. Nor is there just an accusing, pointing finger telling us not to love money. I suppose that’s all that should be necessary, but wonderfully, God puts a logic to His command that is unassailable:

We should not love money…and we should be content…because we have Jesus. And He’s not going anywhere.

That’s why we should be content.

When you have Jesus, the writer seems to be saying, and He can never be taken away from you, then…you’ve really got everything.

So here’s a test: suppose someone came along and separated you from…everything and everyone in your life – house, cars, family, bank accounts. Envision that right now. Yeah, admittedly, it would be incredibly painful and hard, but…how would you do in the long run?

If you think about it, this state of affairs is the situation some Christians do indeed find themselves in. The Apostle Paul was in this condition as he wrote the letter to the Philippians…from prison. And today, Christians in prison are in the same situation, especially those whose families and friends have long ago stopped visiting them. What do they have left? Well, hopefully some friends within the walls, but beyond that? They have Jesus. And He has promised to never leave them…nor forsake them.

And thankfully, the same is true for you and me.

For Monday, October 5th: John 1