Be Content or Covet?
by Tanya Person
20 December 2013
Next Day »Recently I joined several of my Facebook friends in giving thanks for something different each day during the month of November. It was a great reminder of all the things we have for which we can give thanks. Of course, many gave thanks for our salvation, but there are also numerous small things for which to give thanks. Often when I am in the city looking for a parking place, I give thanks to God when I find one. I know that He cares about the little things too! My mom quotes a friend of hers when she finds a parking place far away from where she wants to go and says, "Bless it and call it exercise!" Even when we may want to complain, we can find a way to turn it around to being thankful.
As Paul says in our verse for today, whether we are in need or in plenty, we can learn the secret of being content in any and every situation. I believe that secret is to keep our eyes on Jesus who gives us strength and to give thanks for everything that we do have. If we are looking for something for which to be thankful, it is amazing how much there is! We can start at the very basic point of being thankful that we are alive today, because we have an opportunity to serve God and see Him at work in our lives!
Recently, in the lead up to Christmas, the advertisers have been turning people`s thoughts toward what they want for Christmas. This can be a challenge to our attitude of contentment, as we are bombarded with billboards and advertisements calling our attention to what we don`t have. Suddenly, we can find ourselves switching from an attitude of thankfulness to attitudes of covetousness. But the Bible clearly says that we should not covet and that we should always give thanks to God and to be content.
This season, let`s remember why we celebrate Christmas. Let`s be thankful for the great gift that God gave when He sent Jesus to the world to reconcile us to himself. Let`s continue to be thankful each day for the things in our lives that He has provided.
Prayer: Lord, help me to keep my focus on your great gift of love to the world. Keep me from the temptation to covet what I don`t have, and let me focus on the reason for this Christmas season and continue to give you thanks for all you have done. Amen.
Tanya Person Tanya and her husband, Jim, were missionaries to Hungary for over 18 years. They have worked with Ellel since 2005. After serving in various positions with Ellel in Central and Eastern Europe, God led them back to the United States, where they are now serving with the Ellel USA team. They have a passion to see leaders restored, the church discipled and walking in God’s fullness of life and freedom, and for mentoring the existing and developing team. Tanya also enjoys crocheting and knitting in her free time and has written some children’s picture books.
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