Discontentment convinces us that contentment is found by acquiring something, but truthfully contentment is the act of learning to be happy and satisfied with what we already have, or what God gives to us each day. In the 11th Century, Solomon Ibn Gabirol, the renowned Hebrew poet and philosopher, once wrote, that the “[One] who seeks more than [one] needs, hinders [one]self from enjoying what [one] has. Seek what you need and give up what you need not. For in giving up what you don’t need, you’ll learn what you really do need.”
Ibn Gabirol had much to say about contentment because he was no stranger to difficulty in his short life, he lost his parents at an early age and then lost an early influence on his life (minister ibn Hasan). He has been described as lonesome and a sensitive soul. Though his poetry and reflections became widely known and used, at first they did not sit well with members of his community. Eventually, he was banished and spent years on a pilgrimage of sorts. Some have described him in this era as a “luckless wanderer, suffering many hardships.”
Much like the life of Ibn Gabirol suggests, it often takes facing difficulties to uncover a lasting contentment. Other times, it may seem like we repeatedly face the same hardships because we have not yet learned to be okay with what we already have. When we always want more than we need it will end up with us failing to enjoy the blessings of what we already have. In seeking only after what we truly need, we can let go of what we do not need, discovering what truly matters. Life is as Fyodor Dostoevsky famously pointed out, our worst sin is that we so often destroy and betray ourselves for nothing.
An invitation rather than a challenge.
Slowing down and reflecting helps us recognize moments, both now and in the past, where desiring more than we needed, or more than God intended for us, has led to trouble. Our feelings of discontent can serve as opportunities and invitations to identify what is stopping us from feeling gratitude and appreciation for the blessings we already have in our lives. To truly find contentment, we must honestly be willing to identify the weaknesses and gaps in our lives where our discontentment is betraying our true selves and what God wants for us.
Solomon Ibn Gabirol’s wisdom aligns closely with the life principles and guidance found in the scriptures, which we have looked at many in previous blog posts. In Hebrews 13:5, the author of Hebrews challenges us to start by living in a way that works to keep our lives free from the love of money, and by cultivating a sense of contentment with what we already have with, in, and through our relationship with God. The author’s point is that everything else may temporarily satisfy us, but only God remains everlasting and steadfast, never leaving or abandoning us.
Reality is not erased by our goals.
As I write this blog post today, my honest goal is to nurture a contentment that relies on God rather than on money or material possessions. However, another part of me often desires more than just today’s daily bread as God supplies it. Rather, I find myself wanting to secure tomorrow’s needs as well – and the next day. Recent challenges in our family life undoubtedly have tempted me to believe that more money or a change in lifestyle will alleviate our difficulties and bring me at least a few inches closer to lasting contentment.
I can say that I have not reached Paul’s understanding of contentment in Philippians 4:11-12, where we are content despite the circumstances. Sometimes I am still “chasing the wind” of my roving appetite as brilliantly illuminated in Ecclesiastes 6:9. Most days I find it is still my default to ask how I will eat, or who will supply the clothes my family needs to wear, and I wonder what to do to better provide for myself and my family. However, I believe that finding God-honoring contentment is great gain, and chasing after that which I cannot take out of this world will do me no good (1 Timothy 6:6-8).
Through Ibn Gabirol’s quote and the wisdom of scripture, I am reminded;
- Genuine contentment doesn’t come from acquiring more but from cultivating an appreciation for what I already have and trusting in God’s daily provision.
- Pursuing more can betray and hinder me from finding true contentment.
- Recurring challenges in life are opportunities to overcome and grow in contentment, aligning closer with God’s purpose for me.
The benefit of the daily office.
Lastly, engaging in spiritual disciplines, such as keeping a daily office, helps emphasize genuine needs and allows full embrace and celebration of blessings already received. Keeping a daily office involves establishing a disciplined and structured routine of prayer and reflection throughout the day, typically a routine that follows a regular pattern of set times throughout each day. The daily office serves as a way to maintain spiritual discipline and mindfulness, centering one’s focus on God amidst daily activities, which keeps our wants in check.
The Lord’s Prayer, a framework for prayer taught by Jesus, is integral practice to my daily office practice. Using this framework many times a day helps to help me move through adoration, confession, petition, and surrender to God’s way, world, and will. It guides me in seeking daily sustenance and strength to navigate life’s challenges, keeping my wants in check. Integrating the Lord’s Prayer into the daily office fosters a deeper connection with God and cultivates a habit of seeking God’s guidance and provision consistently in all the challenges of life.
In conclusion.
What ways will you employ to keep before you the truth that when we always want more than we need it will end up with us failing to enjoy the blessings of what we already have? How will you remind yourself that in seeking only after what we truly need, we can let go of what we do not need, discovering what truly matters? How might you remember daily that in the life that wants, we commit one of the worst sins, and we betray the life God has given us in exchange for a temporary fix?
- Daily Office Guide by Emotionally Healthy Spirituality
- How to Pray the Lord’s Prayer by the Prayer Course
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