Seventh-day Adventist Church

2003 NAB Offering Call

“Becoming Faithful Stewards”

THE SECRET OF CONTENTMENT

Discontentment with material things is a universal problem. Whether we live in America where our wants are for a more luxurious vehicle or a bigger home or we live in Africa and want more cattle or a corrugated roof on our straw hut, we share that same lack of true satisfaction.

This chronic lack of contentment is tragically illustrated in an English cemetery where there is a grave marker with this inscription, “She died for the want of things.” On the husband’s tombstone next to hers is the inscription, “He died trying to give them to her.”

A number of years ago, the tennis star Chris Evert, in a candid interview with Life Magazine, confessed, “I’ve had enormous success, but you have to find your own happiness and peace. You can’t find it in other things and other people. I’m still searching.”

So what’s the answer to this human problem of wanting just a little more? The answer is found in the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Philippians: "I have learned to be content in what ever circumstances I am. . .in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need.” (Philippians 4:11-12).

As we give our tithes and offerings today, may it be with a contented heart.

Appeal text: “Let your character be free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, 'I will never desert you, nor will I forsake you.’” [Hebrews 13:5 NAS]