Beryl Jantzi is director of Stewardship Education for Everence.
“’Tis a gift to be simple”
— 19th century Shaker song
Living into the spirit of contentment or discontentment is largely a conscious decision. We choose which “tent” to live under by deciding what life is all about and what we want our life to represent.
Adam Hamilton, pastor at United Methodist Church of the Resurrection, is author of the book Enough: Discovering joy through simplicity and generosity . In this book he takes on the subject of conTENTment and disconTENTment.
Choosing contentment is more than just not buying things or getting caught up in materialism.
It has to do with keeping an eternal perspective on life, even as we live fully and joyfully in our workplace, our home and community.
Hamilton offers guidance based on scripture as we struggle to shake off the temptation to live for self alone.
The following biblical themes could serve as ideas for a sermon outline or small group discussion.
- Hebrews 13:5-6 — What effect does contentment have on our outlook and attitude?
- Luke12:15 — What steps can we take to guard against materialism and greed?
- Ecclesiastes 2:10-11 — What aspects of our lives come under the category of “chasing after the wind?”
- Matthew 6:19-21 — Does how you use time, energy and money, model your eternal perspective and your investment in eternity?
“Contentment makes poor men ‘rich,’ but discontentment makes rich men ‘poor.’” — Ben Franklin.