Contentment

DEVOTION

PROVERBS

CONTENTMENT

Prov 22:22-23

22 Do not exploit the poor because they are poor and do not crush the needy in court, 23 for the LORD will take up their case and will plunder those who plunder them.

NIV

We have had other sayings which are similar in nature regarding the poor. However here the word exploit is somewhat new to the mix. The Hebrew word means to rob, strip, to pluck off. In this sense the poor cannot defend themselves against those who would have the power to do so to them. They are poor and have no means to afford an adequate defense against the wealthy who would take advantage of them, especially in court. But how does this apply to our lives as we are neither the poor nor among those who would exploit the poor? It might be interesting to consider Solomon was among the wealthy and powerful people of his time. Throughout the ages and in all parts of the world there have been and still are wealthy and powerful people. Any form of government is made up of those type individuals. Dictators, emperors, kings, presidents and either their courts or other governing bodies would all be considered those who could exploit the poor, the common people under their rule, whatever form that is. We then would be considered the common people who could well be exploited by those who supposedly serve us in government. Whatever the case is, it might serve us to consider the Lord is on the side of those who are oppressed or exploited and those who do the exploiting will in fact be plundered by the Lord. This would agree with the Lord's saying the revenge is his. Our task is not to take revenge, or exact any form of retaliation upon those who would use us for gaining their own wealth and power. In our country we do have the freedom to vote to change the people who govern us, but it would seem only the rich and already powerful are our only chose. It is a difficult thing to be in the ruling or governing class unless money and influence is not already in their pocket. But our task is to live as onto the Lord. It matters not how we are treated by those in power, which ever form of leadership that is. Our task is not to take or think about revenge, for our God will exact that punishment upon those who act or behave in any exploitive manner toward the common people. This again is a show of our need to trust in God, to believe he will take up our case, without our even asking him to do so. He sees how those who plunder our wallets for their own benefit. He sees those who would attempt to crush the poor with laws that extract whatever the poor have in order to gain more for themselves. We simply need to live a life pleasing to him, whatever our situation in life is. We are to be content in whatever we find ourselves in. If we have a lot, if we have little, if we have some money and power, if we have no money and no power, it matters not. We have learned to be content in whatever condition we live in. Our contentment is in the Lord. We have already seen a saying by Solomon about this.

Prov 19:23

23 The fear of the LORD leads to life: Then one rests content , untouched by trouble.

NIV

To rest content because we reverence the Lord. Paul gives us the standard by which we learn contentment.

Phil 4:10-13

10 I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 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.

NIV

Those who would plunder the poor have been addressed regarding their desires and their resulting condition.

1 Tim 6:6-10

6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 9 People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

NIV

We are to be content. Those who would exploit, plunder, exact undue taxes for their own desires will pierce themselves with many griefs, for the Lord God will plunder them at some point in time. He will exact his revenge on those who act in such a way. Therefor let us renew our faith in his judgement. Let us continue to live in contentment with our lot in live. We have the joy of the Lord, we have the peace of Christ, and we have the Spirit as a deposit of our salvation, our everlasting life in the paradise of God. Let us not get caught up in the trap of desire for wealth, for financial security. Trust in God, he is the only means of life. Contentment is ours in Christ.