Bible Verses Regarding Contentment

Happy New Year! 

As you may have noticed, I am hoping that this year will be a year of learning how to be content.  What better place to learn about contentment than the bible.  The bible has some specific verses for us when we begin to think about contentment. Here are a few:

"But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content" (1 Timothy 6:6-8).

"Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me" (Philippians 4:11-13).

"Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee" (Hebrews 13:5).

 Paul learned contentment and so should I.  I doubt that it was a state of mind that came naturally for him.  Contentment is a process that involves times of hardship and prosperity. Contentment with plenty is obviously not as difficult as contentment with great need, but Paul states he had to learn it in both states. With God's strength Paul chose to take his thoughts captive (2 Corinthians 10:5) and be content. That is exactly what I need to do as well.

Please feel free to post some more verses as well.

Wow! It's the almost the New Year, and I haven't even set my goals...

There are soooo many things I want for my family in this new year.  I am really searching for contentment.  That is what this blog is all about.  What is contentment?  The dictionary states that it is being happy within the parameters of what you have.  Most days I feel that way, but then there are the days that all I want to do is shop and spend money.  What is that all about?!  Do we really need all the things that we have.  Other days, I want to sell off all that we own, downsize to a smaller house, and simplify our lives.  I go from one extreme to the other.  There has to be a middle ground.  I have decided to try my best to be content with what we have.  NO MORE BUYING THINGS THAT WE ABSOLUTELY DONT NEED and NO MORE SELLING OR GIVING AWAY THINGS WE ALREADY HAVE!  My new years resolution for 2011 is to make our lives better with what we already have, and quit longing for things we don't have or even need!  I am taking the following steps:

1.  Shop at Kroger and not Walmart for groceries.  (Walmart is far too tempting!)
2.  Continue to give my children allowance once a week, but only take them shopping to spend it once a month.
3.  Stick to the budget that we have set for our family.
4.  Lose weight so I don't have to buy new clothes.
5.  Shop at the beginning of the season, not THROUGHOUT the season for children's clothes.  Once we have the essentials, we can stop!
5.  Plan ahead for gifts in order to be frugal.
6.  Less eathing out ... more eating in.  (Plan meals at least a week in advance.)
7.  Less going out...  More family fun and movie nights at home (cards, video rentals, puzzles).
8.  Consider whether it is a NEED or a WANT before buying.
9.  Most importantly...pray about purchases and spending.
10.  Communicate as a family about spending!

Well,  I think that about covers it for now.  Feel free to comment or add suggestions to help us on our road to contentment.  I pray that we can find true happiness in the things with which God has blessed us.  I will continue to update you on our progress.  Happy New Year!