Contentment and thankfulness go hand-in-hand because thankfulness involves

recognizing how much we’ve already been given. Think about it. There will probably

never be a member of C12 that isn’t among the top 5% of those who have ever lived as

measured by our standard of living. Imagine that. Are we thankful? Do we really need

more? What if you and I knew that we’d never have more than we have right now? Is

it enough for us to be thankful? Think about the various areas of our lives and what

we truly deserve based on our own merits before a holy and just God.
Answer the following questions for yourself:

1. What if we knew that the business God has entrusted to us would never be larger

than it is right now? Is it big enough for us to be thankful? Can we be content

with it, as it is?

2. If our spouse never loves us more than they do today, or if we’re single and that’s

our lot forever, can we still be thankful? Is being a child and heir of the King of the

universe enough?

3. If our children never become more than they are today, can we thank God for

them? Can we love them as they are, because they’re ours and a gift from God,

not because of what they achieve?

4. If others were never to speak better of us, or care for us more than they do today,

and our reputation never improves… can we be content?

5. Can we thank God for our home? What if we knew that we had to live in it for the

rest of our life? Is it enough for us to give thanks?

6. If what we have is all that is to be, can we be thankful? What if life would never

get any better than this? Is it ‘good enough’ for us to be thankful?

Of course, these things are only the beginning. “No eye has seen, no ear has heard,

no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him” (1Cor 2:9).

We can’t even imagine the wonder, beauty, and joy of what God has prepared for

us in Heaven. Is that enough to be thankful for? To have it all, in spite of the fact

that we don’t deserve any of it and, in fact, deserve to have it all taken away; is that

enough for us to be thankful and content? Or should we be anxious for more?

If we really want to impact others for Jesus Christ, we must let them see the

difference that He makes in our lives. Others have many of the same things we have

(perhaps more), but they’re not content. They’re always anxiously seeking more,

whatever the cost to their health, family, and eternity. Among their neighbors and

trade associates, only we can show them a different way to live. Only we, as vessels

of the Holy Spirit and Ambassadors for Christ, possess the answer. The question isn’t

can we show them the difference, but will we?

This world-changing potential must be released in our lives. The Bible teaches that

“godliness with contentment is great gain” (1Ti 6:6). The converse, of course, is that

godliness without contentment is great loss! We are godly in God’s eyes the moment

we trust Christ for our eternity. But choosing contentment is up to us. When we

choose the way of the world, with its discontent and anxiety, we forfeit not only our

peace, but the power to help others who are watching us because God has entrusted

us with so much.

Anxiety or contentment… what’s your choice? A friend once said, “Remember, if you

can’t be content with what you have, you’ll never be content with what you’re trying

to get.” How about you?

Christian CEOs & Owners Building GREAT Businesses for a GREATER Purpose

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