The idea of being content with what we have is found in Hebrews 13:5, which says “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.'” This verse encourages us not to get caught up longing for more possessions and wealth, but instead to appreciate and be satisfied with what God has already given us. There are several important reasons the Bible tells us to focus on contentment rather than materialism:
1. Finding contentment avoids the traps of greed and envy.
When we are discontent with our lives and possessions, it can easily lead to greed and envy. We start wanting more and more, which breeds sinful attitudes like jealousy, selfishness and pride (1 Timothy 6:9-10). But “godliness with contentment is great gain” (1 Timothy 6:6). Staying satisfied with God’s provision helps guard our hearts from falling into these dangerous traps.
2. Contentment allows us to be generous towards others.
The more we greedily clutch onto our own wealth and possessions, the less willing we are to share with those in need. But when our attitude is one of contentment, we are freed up to generously give and meet the needs of others (2 Corinthians 8:13-14). We realize we already have enough, and anything extra can be used to bless others.
3. Contentment keeps our focus on the eternal rather than temporary.
Earthly possessions and wealth do not last; they are fleeting (Matthew 6:19-21). Chasing after more and more stuff ties us down to the temporary and temporal. But when we are content with what we have, our eyes can remain focused on the eternal treasure we have stored in heaven through Christ Jesus (Matthew 6:20-21).
4. Being content demonstrates trust and dependence on God.
Discontentment springs from a lack of faith that God will provide what we need. But when we remain satisfied with what we have, it shows that we trust in God’s faithful provision. We know that our heavenly Father knows what we need and will supply it (Matthew 6:31-33). Contentment allows us to cling to Him rather than earthly things.
5. God designs contentment to lead to greater joy and peace.
When our happiness is tied to accumulating more possessions, we end up in a joyless pursuit that never satisfies. As Ecclesiastes 5:10 observes, “Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income.” But God promises a life of sincere contentment is a peaceful life (1 Timothy 6:6-8). The joy and peace He offers does not depend on material things.
6. Jesus modeled perfect contentment for us to follow.
Our Lord Jesus, though He was rich, became poor for our sakes so that we might become spiritually rich (2 Corinthians 8:9). During His earthly ministry, He had no place to lay His head (Matthew 8:20). Yet He modeled perfect contentment and reliance on His Father. If we are truly followers of Christ, we will imitate His attitude of contentment rather than striving after material wealth.
7. Contentment allows us to be satisfied in Christ alone.
Ultimately, discontentment springs from seeking satisfaction outside of Christ Himself. But the Bible calls us to be satisfied in Him alone (Psalm 16:11, Psalm 37:4). When our delight is in the Lord, we understand that no amount of earthly possessions can bring the joy and peace that only He can provide.
8. God promises to provide what we need.
One of the most important reasons we can be content is because God assures us that He will provide what we need. Philippians 4:19 says, “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” We do not need to be anxious when we trust His promise to care for our needs.
9. Contentment allows us to keep proper priorities.
When we chase after more possessions and wealth, it is easy to become consumed and lose sight of the higher priorities like love, family, serving Christ, and investing in eternity. But contentment allows us to keep laser-focused on what truly matters most in this life. Our time and resources can be invested into things of eternal value.
10. Discontentment ignores all the ways God has already blessed us.
One of the reasons ingratitude and discontentment are so dangerous is because they blind us to how much God has already graciously given us. When our eyes are opened to see the blessings we already have in Christ – adoption, redemption, forgiveness, the Holy Spirit – it fosters thankfulness and contentment in our hearts (Ephesians 1:3-14).
11. Covetousness is sinful and prohibited.
The last of the Ten Commandments given to Moses was, “You shall not covet” (Exodus 20:17). Going beyond contentment to coveting what others have is a grievous sin. The apostle Paul warned, “Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry” (Colossians 3:5). We must mortify covetous desires and cultivate godly contentment.
12. Our true citizenship is in heaven.
Followers of Christ are reminded that this world is not our real home. Our citizenship is in heaven, not on earth (Philippians 3:20). We are strangers, exiles, and sojourners passing through on the way to our eternal destination (1 Peter 2:11). This eternal perspective allows us to remain content amid earthly trials and inequalities.
13. God cares more about our character than comfort.
One reason God allows His people to experience need and lack is because He is much more concerned with developing Christlike character in us than with our comfort and prosperity. As Hebrews 13:5 reminds us, being content with what we have demonstrates that God is enough for us. And to know God in that way reflects a heart that truly trusts and loves Him.
14. The pursuit of more often leads to less satisfaction.
Studies show that the more wealth and possessions people obtain, the less satisfied and content they often feel. “He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity” (Ecclesiastes 5:10). The endless pursuit of more and more stuff leads to diminishing joy and contentment.
15. Contentment allows us to live more simply and freely.
Rather than joining the “rat race” for more, contentment allows us to make lifestyle choices focused on simplicity, stewardship, and generosity. We can live more freely when we are not chained to constantly pursuing and maintaining excess possessions. We have the liberty to invest our time into things of eternal value.
16. Contentment leads to mature character and less susceptibility.
Those who are content with what they have cannot be as easily manipulated by the lust for more. But discontent people are more susceptible to temptation and believing the lie that more possessions will bring happiness. Contentment is a mark of mature Christian character not driven by fleshly desires (James 1:14-15).
17. Contentment is a safeguard against wandering from the faith.
Studies of those who renounce and stray from their Christian faith show that one of the common threads is the seed of discontentment with their lives and possessions. But cultivating godly contentment serves as a safeguard that helps anchor us firmly in Christ. It keeps us from wandering (1 Timothy 6:6-10).
18. Greed and covetousness characterize unbelievers.
Scripture makes it clear that greed characterizes unbelievers, while contentment should characterize God’s people. For example, “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils… But as for you, O man of God, flee these things” (1 Timothy 6:10-11). Contentment proves we are set apart from the worldly pursuit of more.
19. Contentment allows our enjoyment to come from God.
The discontented look to things and circumstances to provide joy, while the content person finds satisfaction and delight in their relationship with the Lord. King David, whom God called “a man after His own heart” declared, “You make known to me the path of life; in Your presence there is fullness of joy” (Psalm 16:11).
20. Christ’s presence and provision is enough.
At the end of Hebrews 13:5, the author quotes God’s promise to never leave us nor forsake us. This personal presence of Christ and the provision He faithfully supplies is the basis for true contentment. His companionship plus His care equates to enough. He is the wellspring of joy and peace that fills our hearts.
In summary, scripture urges us towards contentment rather than seeking after material increase because contentment helps us avoid sin, deepens our walk with Christ, allows us to give generously, keeps our focus on the eternal, demonstrates faith in God’s provision, leads to greater joy and peace, helps us maintain proper priorities, proves our citizenship is in heaven, and enables us to live more freely and simply. God is most interested in molding Christlike character within us, and learning to be content is a vital part of that process. When our thirst is truly for more of Christ rather than more possessions, He will fill us with Himself – and that is enough.