“He who is not contented with what he has, would not be contented with what he would like to have.” ― Socrates
Socrates was said to have been a very wise philosopher so we tend to respect what he said. But there is something about his statement above which creates two very different reactions within us. On the one hand there is something within us which acknowledges the truth of his statement, but on the other hand, there is the cynical intuition, “No, he’s wrong. If I had all the things I want, I’d be happy. No doubt about it!” Maybe the latter reaction is even stronger today knowing that it is Black Friday, the biggest shopping day of the year!
Still, most Americans would admit that in spite of our society being the wealthiest in the history of the world, contentment is often difficult to be found. So, we are left with the contradiction that our personal experience demonstrates more stuff does not equal more contentment and happiness while our gut feeling tells us the exact opposite.
This weekend we’ll be studying the last chapter of Paul’s “Joy No Matter What” letter which he wrote 2000 years ago to a small group of Christians in the Greek city of Philippi. Paul was in prison at the time he wrote this letter. Probably he was hungry. There is a good chance he was sick with some kind of disease and for sure he was absolutely filthy. Yet, in his closing paragraphs he makes the incredible statement,
Philippians 4:12 “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. 13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength.”
How does someone develop that kind of attitude under those kinds of conditions? Paul would have been quick to answer, “Jesus Christ.” If contentment is an elusive commodity in your life but you are sick of the never ending grab for stuff, join us for one of our services. Begin the journey to joyful contentment.
Saturday evening worship: 6:00 pm
Sunday morning worship: 10:00 am
Hawaii Lutheran Church (WELS)
- Community Lutheran Church
- Honolulu, HI
- Community Lutheran Church holds protestant chapel services in Honolulu, Hawaii near Pearl Harbor, HI. We are next to the USS Arizona Memorial, Pearl Harbor Naval Base, Hickam Air Force Base, and Fort Shafter Hawaii. Look for us directly behind the Salt Lake, Hawaii, Target.