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Contentment
Ed Benesh

Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. (1 Timothy 6:6-8)

"But Daaaaaad, I didn't get to play my video game!" It was early in the morning, the pre-school routine in full blaze. Our youngest, which is usually the first one ready, was even a little sluggish, but running behind. Eventually he was done, having put the final touches on the morning with a good teeth brushing. With but two minutes left until we had to walk out the door, he began to bemoan the fact that he had not gotten to play this video game that he likes and felt entitled to. Soon, tears began to flow and he came real close to demanding that he get to play his game.

Ignoring the tears, but trying to be as loving as I can, I informed my son that I was unable (at least today) to stop time so he could fit a little play in, but that he could assure a little free time by getting all
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his work done in a timely fashion. I told him, "It is your choice." That did little to help stop the tears, but perhaps instilled a necessary lesson – a lesson about graciousness.

Our world today is a world of entitlement. Every day we hear almost endlessly about large groups that in one way or another are asserting their rights of entitlement. Somehow or for some reason they are entitled to better this and greater that. Everyone else in the world simply owes them money or a job or respect or…you get the idea. Sadly, we are training people to be this way by enabling such behaviors, granting appeasements to their incessant whines.

Not long ago a man sat across my desk asking for money because he had gotten himself into a mess. My heart went out to him and I began to explain how he could meet with our benevolence ministry and…but I was cut off in mid-sentence because he soon realized I didn't have a large wad of cash I could just hand him. Again, I tried to explain the procedure, adding that anything he could provide to show the legitimacy of his case (receipts, etc.) would be helpful. He quickly lost his calm manner and berated me for "not wanting to help." "How dare you not trust me…I thought churches would be more like Christ… He would help without asking questions…I deserve…"

These were the magic words – I deserve. Folks, when we "live, move, and have our being" in God, entitlement is far removed from us. We are owed nothing, deserve nothing and will be granted nothing on our own merit. Rather, we are all dependent on God. All that we have is His. All that we could do must be attributed to Him. We come to the world with nothing, deserve nothing and leave with nothing of merit. That is the key to this life that most miss.

Life is not about the stuff and things and what you deserve. It is, rather, about what God graciously grants you through your obedience. Whether we are talking about salvation or answered prayer, we are children of a gracious God, who gives us what we need, not what we might demand or feel entitled to.

In this day, approach your Father in humility, thanking him for what you have and make your needful requests known. Yet, be willing to labor and render obedience for your own cause.