Contented Christians

Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content.

Philippians 4:11

A popular book on business management has the unique title Contented Cows Give Better Milk: The Plain Truth about Employee Relations and Your Bottom Line. Besides having some basis in fact agriculturally speaking, the book’s title is an obvious play on the century-old slogan of the Carnation Milk Company: “Carnation Condensed Milk, the Milk from Contented Cows.”

The apostle Paul would probably agree with the thrust of that slogan—that there is a connection between contentment and quality. Spiritually and emotionally speaking, the quality of our lives has a lot to do with how content we are. Granted, there can be positive kinds of discontent, such as dissatisfaction with our faith, determination, or service. But if we are discontented with our standing in this world—not enough prestige, power, possessions, or high positions—we are lacking the kind of joy Paul revealed when he wrote about contentment while incarcerated in Rome. How would you assess the connection between quality and contentment in your life?

Consider this as a slogan for your life: “Joy in the Lord—the evidence of a contented Christian.”

A little is as much as a lot if it is enough.

STEVE BROWN