To Catch a Thief! Part 2

To Catch a Thief! Part 2
Brad Reiches
Aug 16 2006 10:27AM

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Wednesday, August 16, 2006
GodThoughtsWired!

"To Catch a Thief!"

 PART 2

"The thief comes only to steal, kill and destroy..."

John 10:10

Discontentment is a "thief."  "Hell and destruction are never full; so the eyes of a man are never satisfied" (Proverbs 27:20).  Contentment is a treasure.  It is one of the premiere elements of the "prosperity of the soul"  and "abundant life" (see Proverbs 25:13 & John 10:10).  Yearning for what we don't have robs us from the joy of gratitude and the pleasure of fulfillment from all that God HAS already given us.

The day I determined to begin each morning by reviewing the top ten things I was grateful for from the day before truly changed my life for the better.  The apostle Paul said, "I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am" (Philippians 4:11).  Indeed, contentment is something that must be learned.  It is a skill; a discipline that is developed over time.  In fact, the key to contentment is a "secret"  that that must be discovered.  "I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need"  (Philippinans 4:12). 

For those living in the United States of America especially, one of the greatest "secrets" of contentment lies in the ability to trust and obey the scriptures regarding money: 

"Do not weary yourself to gain wealth.
Cease from your consideration of it...
But those who want to get rich fall into
temptation and a snare and many foolish and
harmful desires which plunge men into
ruin and destruction..."
Proverbs 23:4; 1 Timothy 6:9

One of the great ironies in this regard is the deluded perspective that believes, "I can't afford the time to go to church, I've got to go to work weekends just to make ends meet."  While in reality, the "secret" to having our needs met (according to God) is to, "Seek first My kingdom and righteousness and all these things (food, shelter, & clothing) shall be added to you" (Matthew 6:33; see also the context of verses 26-34).

Consider the following:

-"And my God shall supply all of your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus" (Phillipians 4:19).

-"No good thing does God withhold from those who walk uprightly in Him" (Psalm 84:11).

-"...It is vain for you to rise up early, to retire late, to eat the bread of painful labors; for He gives to His beloved even in His sleep" (Psalm 127:2).

Indeed, the real "secret" to contentment is found in the ability to trust and believe in what God has already promised.

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