The Bible presents contentment as a good thing. It is something learned, though, and doesn't come naturally. Paul once received a generous offering from his friends in Philippi, and in thanking them said, "I've learned by now to be quite content whatever my circumstances" (Philippians 4:11, The Message). The operative word here is "learned." Contentment doesn't come easy when there's much to complain about and a lot you would change if you had the power to do so.
There's also something that looks like contentment but isn't. Complacency is ugly -- it's not resting in the Lord, it's snoring! While contentment is desire under surrender, complacency is desire under siege. A. W. Tozer said,
Complacency is a deadly foe of all spiritual growth. Acute desire must
be present or there will be no manifestation of Christ to His people. He
waits to be wanted. Too bad that with many of us He waits so long, so
very long, in vain.
Are you content or complacent?
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