Q2. Contentment

[Niyonka16]

Q2. (1 Timothy 6:6) Why should we seek contentment?

ANSWER: Contentment is finding joy in what God has given to you. Contentment is a state of being where one is satisfied with their current situation, and the state of affairs in one's life as they presently are. If one is content, they are pleased with their situation and how the elements in one's life are situated. The key to Contentment is about accepting people and things as they are, and not dwelling on how you wish things should be.

It's about keeping a positive attitude when there are difficulties, and not letting your unfulfilled expectations of a person or situation cause you inner pain. The secret to contentment isn't a hobby or an activity, it's relationships with Jesus Christ.  And the measure to which you have that is the measure to which you can cope with any circumstance. The more of Jesus we have in our life, the more hardship we can cope with. Contentment is simply gratitude, appreciation, and acceptance for the way things are right now.

Contentment is so important because brings peace of mind and positivity that can facilitate growth and self-improvement. This does not mean you can't have dreams and aspirations. You can accept the present and still wish for a better future. Contentment only means to be at peace with the present, not complacent.

Doesn’t contentment keep us from trying to get ahead so our families can have what they need?

ANSWER: Family Contentment does not mean gaining everything you desire but finding joy in the little pleasures that already surround you. Carve out time to meet your own needs and model the necessity of self-care to your children. Create a home and life that sustains you and your family, bringing joy to your journey together.

What’s the balance between contentment and the quest for improvement?

ANSWER: Find a balance: Aiming higher doesn't have to mean sacrificing contentment. Strive to strike a balance between the two, concentrating on realizing your objectives while also taking pleasure in the here and now. Set reachable and realistic goals. Making realistic goals will help you stay motivated and reduce stress. The quest for improvement/being ambitious vs being content can be a difficult duality to reconcile. But achieving a balance between the two can make life more satisfying. You may build both satisfaction and ambition in your life by figuring out your values, making achievable goals, and being grateful. Remember, finding a way to embrace both is more important than choose one over the other.

[Katy]

Q2.God wants us to be content with what He has given us, if we are discontent we are telling God that He is not providing enough for us. This must be difficult for the Lord to witness. Our lives must be lived to please God, therefore we should be content with what we have and not always want more. Contentment brings peace of mind and peace with God. 
The Lord doesn’t mind us striving to give our families what they need and some luxuries, as long as families do not suffer from the absence of the parent because of long hours at work. Also extra work must not interfere with our time spent with the Lord. If extra work is causing discontent, stress or fatigue, the situation needs to be addressed and changes made.

[Eldress Rowe]

We should seek contentment because to do otherwise is to set oneself up for sorrow and disappointment.  When we learn to be content with what we have the things we don't have of this world does not bother us as much.  We can be happy and thankful knowing the God has provided for our need and maybe even some of our wants and we don't knot have to over burden ourselves trying to get other things but can live within our means.

No contentment doe not jeep us from trying to get what our family need but it will keep us from getting ourselves in debt because of wants and seeking to keep up with the Joneses.  When we put the need to get ahead before God and family we have lost our way.

The balance between contentment and the quest for improvement is quality time spent with God and family.  It is not the quantity of time spent but the quality of the time spent that makes the difference.

[Clelie]

When the lusts of the eye , the lusts of the flesh and the sinful desires are not  controlled by the word of God, temptation sets in and when temptations  give way to act, sin sets in so the love of money grows and like a drug it becomes a trap to the blinded one .

To escape from this trap like all other traps to sin, stay far from temptation or any attractions  which create covetousness .Let the Holy Spirit  bring conviction through the Word of God.Submit to God resist the devil and he will flee fro  you.

 

 

 

[t-c]

Q2. (1 Timothy 6:6) Why should we seek contentment? Doesn't contentment keep us from trying to get ahead so our families can have what they need? What's the balance between contentment and the quest for improvement?

Because in doing so we are saying Amen to God for the circumstances in which He has placed us. We want to follow Paul’s example and learn to be at peace with the life we have been given. And as we find contentment we also have a heart to praise God and thank Him for all He’s done for us.

No contentment keeps our hearts at peace. Once again praising God for everything. God knows our heart’s desires and there is nothing wrong with desiring what our family needs. We need to make all these requests known to God, trusting Him for the outcome.

I guess that the balance would be that neither contentment or quest for improvement would interfere with our growing relationship with God through Jesus Christ.

[Zanele Tlhakanelo]

We need to seek contentment because we truly understand the love that God has for us such that He gave us His only begotten Son so that we may have eternal life. Contentment teaches us that all these things that we run after, we will leave them when God calls us to higher service and therefore, whatever God has given us, we need to be thankful and be able to share with those that do not have.

Contentment prevents us from being in competition with our neighbors or colleagues because  if you try to go ahead and have your family have what they need, you are defeating the whole purpose of Matthew 6:25-34 because you will spend more time acquiring wealth and neglect being there for your family and instead of supporting your child at school, you think that if he has everything that he needs, he will be fine whereas your child may be needing you as his/her parents to be there and not to have all these things.

What will make us content is when the level of our relationship with Christ grows and that we get fulfillment when we are in His presence and the quest for improvement will be seeing other people coming to Christ when they see your lifestyle that it is not about you but about Christ.

[crissy464]

When you are content, you may not desire anything more than what you need.

 Contentment is important in our lives because it allows us to find happiness and peace within ourselves instead of constantly seeking external validation or material possessions. A sense of contentment can change our whole world, leading to a more positive and fulfilling life.            

  Ambition is a person’s willpower to accomplish success, while contentment is being satisfied and happy.    
To have both It all comes down to balance. You can  pinpoint your areas to improve and set realistic goals
 

[Jonathan Edwards]

We are beckoned by God to be "inner court" Christians.   We are called to enjoy a Sabbath rest; Christ is our High priest in the order of Melchizedek, we are part of this royal priesthood.  Jesus our Joshua has gone on before us, we are seated in heavenly places with Christ.   No wonder why we should seek contentment !   This doesn't mean we become slothful in business nor in domestic affairs.   The mundane duties are sanctified as well.  We offer them up to God as prayers.  

Christ transfigures our daily chores and successes.  It is God's will that we are successful in business or in academia.  Our attention is on the Lord Jesus Christ as we go to work, wash the dishes, do the laundry, remove the old cat litter, eta, eta.

[Sister Evelyn]

Q2. (1 Timothy 6:6) 

why should we seek contentment?

God promises that he will never leave us nor forsake us. And, we should learn to be content with what ever we have, because there are so many people suffering because they don' even have a glass of water to drink. I have learn to be content with what I have. This is what Paul said in (Philippians 4:11).

Paul wasn't against wealth, but he saw it as dangerously seductive as Jesus did. Simple trust and we content in what you have.

Matthew 6:32-33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

[hanks]

Q2. (1 TIMOTHY 6:6) 
Why should we seek contentment? Doesn't contentment keep us from trying to get ahead so our families can have what they need? What's the balance between contentment and the quest for improvement? 
The truly godly person seeks contentment and is not interested in becoming wealthy beyond their needs. They realise that they possess inner resources which furnish riches far beyond that which the world can offer. They have peace with God, spiritual joy, and assurance of salvation. They know that: “...in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose” (Rom 8:28). Therefore, they feel no need to store up earthly goods - which can never satisfy the soul (Luke 12:19-20). They are content with what they have (Philippians 4:10-13). They realize that: “...naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart" (Job 1:21a). This does not prevent them from doing the best for their family by providing for all their needs, but not their greed. In other words, they are content but are also free from the love of money (Heb. 13:5). They are content no matter what their circumstances are (Phil 4:11-13), and they are fully dependent upon His grace (2 Cor 12:9-10). This contentment combined with godliness is indeed of great gain – more than money can buy. We live in perfect balance between contentment and our quest for improvement as we realise it is our responsibility as believers to live for the Lord, trusting Him for the future with unshakable confidence that He will provide. 
 

[Old Jerry]

By seeking contentment, we are pushing out all anxiety and just relaxing with what we have. Contentment does not keep us from trying to get ahead because we are striving to be content. The balance between contentment and quest for improvement is that we are doing our best to please the Lord.