When was the last time you found yourself complaining? Maybe you recently complained because you were stuck in traffic, you ran out of coffee, or someone took your usual parking spot. Perhaps you complained about something far more serious than these things. We may not want to admit it, but all of us have moments when we complain. Complaining reveals the state of our hearts. Specifically, it reveals a state of discontentment. Much of the discontentment we face comes as a result of looking to things to satisfy us instead of Christ.
The apostle Paul showed remarkable contentment in the book of Philippians. This was a book that he wrote from prison because of preaching and teaching about Jesus. He wrote this letter to the church in Philippi, which was very concerned about him because he was in prison. In response to their concern about him, Paul wrote in Philippians 4, “How I praise the Lord that you are concerned about me again. I know you have always been concerned for me, but you didn’t have the chance to help me” (verse 11). The concern of the church in Philippi had reached Paul. He continued writing in response to their concern, saying, “Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have” (verse 12). What an amazing statement from Paul, who was in prison writing this letter to the church in Philippi. Paul told them that he was not in need. Why? Paul was not in need because he had “learned how to be content with whatever [he] had.” Earthly possessions cannot satisfy us and our deepest needs.
Paul understood what Solomon taught about earthly possessions in Ecclesiastes 2. King Solomon, a man who amassed great wealth and possessions, considered all he had earned, and he wrote about his experience in Ecclesiastes. He wrote, "As I looked at everything I had worked so hard to accomplish, it was all so meaningless, like chasing after the wind" (verse 11). Because earthly possessions cannot satisfy us, they are ultimately meaningless.
During the weekend sermon, we heard it said this way: "Stuff doesn't satisfy." It is true. Our earthly possessions can never satisfy our deepest needs and meet our deepest longings. Only God can do that. What earthly possessions have you been looking to for satisfaction? It is time to let go of them and look to God to satisfy every longing of your heart.
Take a few moments to pray. Confess to God any earthly possessions you have been looking to satisfy you. Acknowledge that these things are ultimately meaningless. Commit to looking to Him and Him alone to meet your deepest desires and needs.
1I said to myself, “Come on, let’s try pleasure. Let’s look for the ‘good things’ in life.” But I found that this, too, was meaningless. 2 So I said, “Laughter is silly. What good does it do to seek pleasure?” 3 After much thought, I decided to cheer myself with wine. And while still seeking wisdom, I clutched at foolishness. In this way, I tried to experience the only happiness most people find during their brief life in this world.
4 I also tried to find meaning by building huge homes for myself and by planting beautiful vineyards. 5 I made gardens and parks, filling them with all kinds of fruit trees. 6 I built reservoirs to collect the water to irrigate my many flourishing groves. 7 I bought slaves, both men and women, and others were born into my household. I also owned large herds and flocks, more than any of the kings who had lived in Jerusalem before me. 8 I collected great sums of silver and gold, the treasure of many kings and provinces. I hired wonderful singers, both men and women, and had many beautiful concubines. I had everything a man could desire!
9 So I became greater than all who had lived in Jerusalem before me, and my wisdom never failed me. 10 Anything I wanted, I would take. I denied myself no pleasure. I even found great pleasure in hard work, a reward for all my labors. 11 But as I looked at everything I had worked so hard to accomplish, it was all so meaningless—like chasing the wind. There was nothing really worthwhile anywhere.
12 So I decided to compare wisdom with foolishness and madness (for who can do this better than I, the king?). 13 I thought, “Wisdom is better than foolishness, just as light is better than darkness. 14 For the wise can see where they are going, but fools walk in the dark.” Yet I saw that the wise and the foolish share the same fate. 15 Both will die. So I said to myself, “Since I will end up the same as the fool, what’s the value of all my wisdom? This is all so meaningless!” 16 For the wise and the foolish both die. The wise will not be remembered any longer than the fool. In the days to come, both will be forgotten.
17 So I came to hate life because everything done here under the sun is so troubling. Everything is meaningless—like chasing the wind.
