Bible Passage: “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” (Luke 6:38 NIV)
Scripture Reading: Philippians 2:12-18
So often, discontentment stems from our focus on ourselves.
Maybe we’re playing in a men’s league basketball game, and we find ourselves frustrated because either we aren’t playing to our full potential that day or the other players aren’t giving us the opportunities we think we deserve.
Where is the focus? It’s on ourselves.
Maybe we’ve discovered what some other guy is getting paid, and suddenly, our wage seems woefully insufficient.
Where is the focus? It’s on ourselves.
Maybe our wives aren’t doing exactly what we want them to.
Where is our focus? It’s on ourselves.
Paul says, “But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you” (Philippians 2:17 NIV).
Notice what Paul is doing. He is pouring himself out for others, and then he is glad and rejoicing.
Focusing on serving and giving to others can actually be an antidote to our discontentment.
Our Lord Jesus is the best example of this. He said, “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45 NIV).
Jesus gave everything away for the benefit of others. He held nothing back!
Then the writer of Hebrews quotes the Psalmist when he says that Jesus was anointed “…with the oil of joy” (Hebrews 1:9 NIV).
There is great joy in serving. And where there is joy, there is contentment and peace.
Do you want to be content? Take your eyes off yourself and focus them on what your Lord focuses on. Ask Him who He would like you to serve or to give something to. There is an excellent chance that you will find His contentment in the process.
Prayer: Dear Lord, my natural bent is to focus on myself and what I want and need. When I do that, it can become easy to be discontent when life doesn’t go exactly like I want it to. Help me to get my eyes off of myself and to focus them outward. Help me to follow Your example and to make serving and giving my focus in everything. Thank you for serving me and giving me the greatest gift I could ever want or need. I want to be more like You! Amen.
Reflection: Where is your focus today? Do you find yourself frustrated because things aren’t going the way you want them to? Who and how are you going to serve today, following Jesus’ example?
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