Genuine contentment is one of the rarest personal accomplishments achieved by an individual soul, yet, it is one of the most desirable and sought after virtues.

Paul wrote, “I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content” (Philippians 4:11). There was a time when Paul was not content, but now he is content because he “learned” how to be content. Contentment is not a natural tendency of human nature. Covetousness, murmuring and discontentment are as natural to man as thorns and weeds are to the soil. If you want weeds to grow in your garden, you don’t have to plant them, they’ll come up naturally because they are indigenous to this earth that carries the curse of God (Genesis 3:18). Likewise, you don’t have to teach man how to murmur and complain. Though a man has never attended an hour of instruction, still, he knows how to murmur, complain, and be discontent.

If you want flowers to grow in your garden, you must cultivate the ground, plant them, and care for them. They will not grow just by wishful thinking. “Contentment” is one of the flowers of the Christian life. When we repent of our sins, and are baptized into Christ, (Acts 2:38), we become a new creation in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). Still, we must carefully cultivate the Grace that God has sown in our souls.

Since contentment is something we learn, then it is something we must be taught. Paul’s knowledge of, and total commitment to Jesus Christ, coupled with roller coaster life experiences, taught him to be content. Without a knowledge of, and total commitment to Jesus Christ, there is no genuine, lasting contentment. Christianity is more than mere acknowledgment that Jesus is the Son of God. It is a commitment that touches every aspect of our life. Only when we commit ourselves to the Word of God can we find ourselves being content, and enjoying the “more abundant life” (John 10:10).

Find the truth about God and become a New Testament Christian. Find out more about New Testament Christianity by running some Internet searches for “church of Christ” and “churches of Christ.” You may also want to visit http://www.abiblecommentary.com for Bible study information.

Remember, in order to be saved and enjoy all God’s blessings (not the least of which is salvation), a person must have faith (Jn. 8:24), be willing to repent (Lk. 13:3), and after confessing Christ as Lord, the final step is water baptism (Rom. 6:3; 1 Cor. 12:13; 1 Pet. 3:20-21). Bible baptism is by immersion only (“burial,” Rom. 6:4), and once it is done, heaven puts that person “into Christ” (Gal. 3:27; Rom. 6:3). After proper baptism a person has their sins forgiven (Acts 2:38).