Devotional for Contentment

I'm sure you've heard the phrase "Keeping up with the Joneses". I knew that it meant trying to compete in status with your neighbors, but I had no idea where the phrase actually came from. In looking it up, I found that it originated from a comic strip written by Arthur R. "Pop" Momand in 1913-1940 in the New York World newspaper. The comic was about the McGinis family attempting to "keep up" with their neighbors, the Joneses.

1913-1940. Have we really changed much since then? Obviously, yes. There have been significant advancements in technology, medicine, industry, etc.

But have we changed much as a people?

We continue to try to keep up with our neighbors. Only now have our "neighbors" broadened to include all our social media friends as well. We so easily can fall into the trap of reading the highlight reel on social media and becoming envious and discontent with what we have.

While the comic strip focused on material items, it's important to note that I am also talking about envy and discontentment in areas such as marriage, parenting, and career. You may see or read the beautiful, excellent snapshots others post, but you aren't privy to the messiness of their lives, either.

Contentment, then, is a state of peace and satisfaction. We are to be thankful for all that we have right now! Not on payday. Not when debt gets paid off. Right Now!

God calls us to continually seek growth in our faith in Him and in our love for all others. No growth in our houses and vehicles. Our desire for growth and prosperity is not to be self-seeking. God may bless some people financially, but that often is in response to faithfully tithing, working to glorify God, and loving others before themselves.

And sometimes financial blessings don't happen. We are still called to be content, happy, and satisfied with what we have.

We all fall into comparison and discontent—sometimes daily. That doesn’t make you ungrateful or a bad Christian; it makes you human in a culture that screams ‘you need more.’ The good news? Jesus was content with the Father’s will even when it led to the cross. His Spirit now lives in us, gently teaching us the secret Paul learned: true contentment isn’t found in having everything we want, but in wanting the One who has everything.

Because we know and love God the Father, creator of heaven and earth. We believe that Jesus died and rose again for our salvation through grace alone. Because we have the Holy Spirit with us as a mighty counselor. Do we really need more than that?!

In marriage and family life, contentment looks like:

Celebrating your spouse instead of scrolling someone else’s highlight reel
Thanking God for the home you have instead of coveting the one on Pinterest
Choosing gratitude for your actual children instead of wishing for ‘easier’ ones
Praying together, ‘Lord, help us want what we already have’
Remembering that the grass isn’t greener on the other side—it’s greener where you water it

Take the time to read the Bible scriptures below and truly focus on what they are saying to you. Some passages may touch you differently than others. Writing down the verses in your own hand is helpful for some individuals. Possibly looking up the verses in your Bible may be beneficial. I use a NIV bible translation. Or reading them over and over to commit to memory. Whatever method works best for you to experience God's words and feel closer to Him.

Hebrews 13:5

Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”

1 Timothy 6:7-10

For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

Philippians 4:11-13

I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

Luke 12:15

Then he said to them, "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions."

Matthew 6:19-21

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

Matthew 6:24

"No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the others, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money."

Proverbs 15:16-17

Better a little with the fear of the Lord than great wealth with turmoil. Better a meal of vegetables where there is love than a fattened calf with hatred.

Ecclesiastes 4:6

Better one handful with tranquility than two handfuls with toil and chasing after the wind.

Proverbs 30:8-9

Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, 'Who is the Lord?' Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God.

Ecclesiastes 5:10-11

Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income. This too is meaningless. As goods increase, so do those who consume them. And what benefit are they to the owner except to feast his eyes on them?

Colossians 3:1-3

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.

Here's a quick prayer if you're struggling to find the words:

Father, I confess I’ve been chasing more—more money, more stuff, more perfect everything. Forgive my restless heart. Thank You for Jesus, who is more than enough. Open my eyes today to the gifts already in my hands—my spouse, my family, my home, my salvation. Teach us to be content right where we are, and make gratitude contagious in our marriage. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Try one of these today:

Tell your spouse one specific thing you’re genuinely thankful for about them or your life together—no ‘but’ attached.
Put your phone down for 10 minutes and thank God out loud for five things you already have.
Pray together, ‘Lord, help us want what we have more than what we don’t.’

I sincerely pray that these scriptures meet you where you are and help you to experience contentment in what you have in life, right as it is today!

God Bless!

Melissa