A lot of people are not satisfied in their lives. They achieve great things and acquire wealth and money. But they want more. “Yeh dil mange more” is their slogan. We may think that it is mainly due to consumerism, market economy and capitalism. But it is part of innate fallen human nature. However, the present trends of consumerism have made more people discontented.

The capitalist has to keep the common people dissatisfied and discontented then only he can sell his products. The thousands of new products introduced into the market every season is proof of this tendency. People are not satisfied with their home appliances. They are not content with the facilities of yesterday. Everyday they want new items. People who have money want to buy new things every day. They will buy one car today, sell it tomorrow and buy a brand new car.

Thanks to market economy, any item is now replaceable. I have heard someone say that you can get anything from the market if you have money except perhaps your parents. Nowadays you can exchange any home appliance and get a new one, which is usually inferior in quality than the old one. It is a capitalist technique to set a philosophy of consumerism in motion. It says that your worth is measured by the amount of money you can spend in buying things. Just buy things and amass them for others to see.

Here in north India, people believe more in appearance. They want to show how rich they are. In marriages, the bride’s and bridegroom’s wealth is measured by the amount of pomp they can show by parading elephants, camels, etc. Also they just throw up currency notes for the dancers (hired bands) to pick up. The common trend is to never be content with what you have, but crave for more. To be contended is considered as a sign of uselessness.

Those who have money are never satisfied with the crores they are having. They want more. So they devise schemes, and plan new businesses to make more money. But they are never contented. Those who have houses are not satisfied with that. They want better or bigger houses with more comforts and modern facilities. So they pull down their old houses and build new ones. But after a few years they again do the same. But they are never satisfied. They frequently change their cars, always going for better, bigger and costlier models. In western countries, and even in India to an extent, people are not content with their spouses. And they frequently change their existing spouses for prettier, younger or wealthier spouses. Their hope and target is only in this present world. So they want to achieve and acquire as much as possible in this life. Similarly is the case with vehicles. Some are never satisfied with their cars. Perhaps the present generation has never learned to be satisfied and contented.

Even many Christians fall into this category. They are more concerned with external appearance and material things than spiritual matters. They always put up an appearance of godliness. They pray and fast for more worldly blessings, but rarely are so passionate about spiritual blessings. Even during the time when Christ walked on this earth with His disciples, some of His followers were more concerned about their position, privileges, bodily well-being and money. Such believers were there in first century Church. Throughout the history we can see a lot of believers pursuing the path of “I want more” and participating in the rat race. The writer of Hebrews exhorts: “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”” (13:5).

Even the fall of man in the Garden of Eden can be traced to discontentment. Adam and Eve had all the sweet and tasty fruits in the garden to eat. They had all the privileges and authority over all the creatures. Just one fruit was out of bounds for them. They had fellowship with God, and used to meet Him every day and spend time with Him. And yet, when Satan suggested that they could be like God, man craved for more!

In the case of Israel also we see the same pattern. They were freed from slavery by the mighty miracles of God. He led them, provided shade from the scorching sun by day as He hovered over them as a pillar of cloud. In the night He provided warmth and light for them by leading them in a pillar of fire. What else they could ask for? And yet, they grumbled and murmured against Moses and God very often. In the desert, God provided for them water to drink. He gave them manna from heaven, and meat also for their taste. Manna was perhaps the tastiest and healthiest foods ever one could eat. And yet, Israelites grumbled. They disliked manna. They were discontented and dissatisfied by whatever good things God had provided. But there were a few true believers who were happy and contented with whatever God had given.

The spirit of discontentment is always present. Many present-day believers, with all modern facilities and appliances, usually get discontented. Perhaps it is a basic human nature. That is why Paul has to say: “But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing we will be content with that.” (1 Timothy 6:6-8). To be content in life is a great achievement. You can run around and work hard to make a lot of money. You can shop till you drop. You can enjoy worldly pleasures to your full as King Solomon did. You can change houses, cars, fashion, etc. You can achieve all these by hard work, money, influence and power. But all these things can never give you contentment. You cannot buy satisfaction in life. True satisfaction and contentment in life is God-given. The writer of Proverbs exhorts: “Do not wear yourself out to get riches; have the wisdom to show restraint.” (23:4). We again read, “…give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’ Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonour the name of my God.” (30:8-9).

Even amid the great move of the Holy Spirit and mighty works of the apostles through Him during the first century Church, Paul perhaps saw discontentment among a large section of believers. That is why he exhorts, them to be contented. He was in fact saying whatever you achieve, if you are not contented, all the achievements are in vain. He knew that it was difficult to achieve contentment. His exhortation is for us also. If we can be contented with God given material blessings and situations, and can thank Him with satisfaction that is a great achievement. Paul writes to Philippians, “I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.” (4:11-12).

But contentment should never be confused with complacency. Complacency comes usually to ‘mature’ believers. After they reach a level of knowledge in God’s Word, and spiritual blessings, they think that now they are all matured and all perfect. And that they are now grown enough in their spiritual life. So they begin to judge others because they think that now they are experts in spiritual matters. That’s when complacency sets in. When a believer thinks that he is all perfect, his spiritual growth stops there. His flow of living water stops, and he becomes a pool of stagnant water. Stagnant water is very harmful to organisms, death and decay is the result. Such is the danger of complacency.

A believer should never stop growing spiritually. Listen to what Apostle Paul says during the last days of his life: “…that I may gain Christ and be found in him.” (Philippians 3:8-9). He continues, “I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.” (3:10-11). As long as one lives in this world he should be growing spiritually, physically, materially and socially. That process never stops. It is like a child growing up. A child in first standard may not know the theory of relativity. But he should be grown enough to learn alphabets and numbers. Only that is expected of him. He is considered fully grown in his age, if he knows these basics. His growth is a continuous process. Steadily he learns more complex ideas, principles and theories of science and maths. If a 10th grader is still content with 2+2=4 then that is complacency. Complacency can occur in many ways. You are all familiar with the famous fable of the race between the rabbit and the tortoise. The rabbit was overconfident and rather complacent, and he slept on the way. But the tortoise, always aware of his weakness, was ready to strive ceaselessly and thus won the race.

We must crave for spiritual matters. “Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation.” (1 Peter 2:2). Paul exhorts us to pray for and desire spiritual blessings. He says don’t be satisfied with a little knowledge of God and His Word. Don’t be satisfied with just the anointing of the Holy Spirit and talking in tongues. But crave for prophesy, discernment of spirits and other spiritual blessings. “Since you are eager to have spiritual gifts, try to excel in gifts that build up the church.” (1 Corinthians 14:12). One should never be complacent about spiritual matters. Paul says that, that I should know Him more. We should forget whatever is past, and run to the goal of reaching to the level of Christ. Learning God’s Word should be our passion. As the Psalmist says, His Word is like honey in the rock. It is precious than fine gold. Reading, learning and meditating on God’s Word should be our life-style, so that God can reveal His mysteries to us, which will be beneficial for our spiritual life, and we can be a blessing for others.

We have to increase in God’s grace. “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.” (2 Peter 3:18). Paul exhorts us to increase in going good to others. We have to crave for more love and compassion for others. “And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight.” (Philippians 1:9). We have to increase day by day in our service to God. We have to increase more and more in serving our fellow human beings. We have to increase in providing financial, moral and spiritual support for the downtrodden in the society and in the church.

Even in material matters complacency is dangerous. Whatever God has given us we should be satisfied. But we have needs. Perhaps, it is necessary for a large family to have a bigger house. It is necessary for a low-paid worker to get a better job. It is necessary to replace a very old and troublesome car. The Bible tells us to ask God for our needs with thanksgiving. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Philippians 4:6). Here, we never show discontentment or dissatisfaction with God’s present material blessings. We are happy with that, and very thankful to Him. But the situation necessitates a better or bigger option. God knows our necessity. God will surely grant our request for more blessings when we are praying with a grateful heart for all His blessings. In this way we are being neither discontented nor complacent.

There is a story like this: When conquering Alexander reached India, he met a sadhu basking in sunshine. (Probably it was winter season). Alexander told him, “I am going to wage war and conquer India.” The sadhu asked him, “what you will do after conquering India.” Alexander replied, “I will take all the wealth from India and amass my wealth.” The sadhu asked again, “After that what you will do?” Alexander said, “Then I will rest and enjoy my life.” The sadhu then told him, “If that is what you desire, then join me, I am taking rest and enjoying life now.” Most people think that by joining the rat race and achieving a lot of wealth, fame, influence and power in the world one will be satisfied. But this idea is not from God.

We see the tragic ends of such people in Delhi. I personally know many landlords in Delhi having crores, still not satisfied. Brothers in the same family, all rich people, fight and plot to murder each other just to amass some more money. Sometimes they even fight for meagre amounts. What a pity! What is the use of having crores of rupees, if he is still craving for more like a beggar!

How true the apostle Paul is! If one is not contented, what is the use of having millions of dollars, fame, beauty, influence and power in this world? We have seen how the Ambani brothers fought each other for their father’s wealth. To be contented and not to be complacent is a special favour from God. He has reserved it for His children. Every believer can be contented and not be complacent. When a believer gets the assurance that he is a child of God, living in our heavenly Father’s presence, he doesn’t need to be discontented and crave for more like a beggar. Whatever he needs, his heavenly Father provides when he prays with thanksgiving. What a privilege!
 

This page is updated on Aug 07, 2009