‘Tis the gift giving and receiving season. Most gifts are received with joy and thanksgiving, as they should be. Sometimes, however, gifts are received with a shrug or sour expression. What causes the different reactions?
To be honest sometimes the gifts are just awful. Giving a child underwear for Christmas, not good! However sometimes a poor reaction to a received gift is the result of a bad attitude on the part of the receiver. Expectations were set too high or even something as base as greed has settled in the heart. In either case, the receiver is just not content.
In some ways it is good not to be content in life. When we are just content, we don’t move forward. In other ways discontent brings problems. We want more and think we deserve more, so we try to move forward in selfishness. This causes conflict within ourselves and conflict with others.
Paul wrote about the good type of contentment in Philippians 4:12 when he said, “I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need.” Paul had experienced it all, from beatings to shipwreck. At times he had plenty and other times he had little. Yet, in every circumstance he felt contentment. He was grateful for what he had, rather than resentful for what he didn’t have. So during this season, take a little time to express your thanks for what you already have.
Reluctant Retiree 