Contentment is one of the greatest treasures of life and the person that possesses it is truly rich. Webster’s New World College Dictionary defines contentment as “happy enough with what one has or is; having or showing no desire for something more or different; a satisfying or being satisfied.”

I believe that contented people are happy and seem to intuitively know that their happiness is the total of their life choices, and their lives are built on devoting time to family and friends, appreciating what they have, maintaining an optimistic outlook, and feeling a sense of purpose. A devoted, contented gospel preacher will also have this same outlook on life. True contentment comes from an inward attitude of life and never from the possession of external things (material wealth).

Philip Parham tells the story of a rich industrialist who was disturbed to find a fisherman sitting lazily beside his boat. “Why aren’t you out there fishing?” he asked. “Because I’ve caught enough fish for today,” said the fisherman. “Why don’t you catch more fish than you need?” the rich man asked. “What would I do with them?” “You could earn more money,” came the impatient reply, “and buy a better boat so you could go deeper and catch more fish. You could purchase nylon nets, catch even more fish, and make more money. Soon you’d have a fleet of boats and be rich like me.” The fisherman asked, “Then what would I do?” “You could sit down and enjoy life,” said the industrialist. “What do you think I’m doing now?” the fisherman replied as he looked placidly out to sea (Our Daily Bread, May 18, 1994). Benjamin Franklin once said, “content makes poor men rich; discontent makes rich men poor.”

As a gospel preacher for the past twenty-two years, I have learned the value of contentment. It rates right up there with “peace of mind.” Contentment and peace of mind allow me to have a good night’s sleep! I have spent time preaching in congregations with over 100 members and as few as seven members. In the past eight years I have been involved in starting two new congregations in Colorado. These works have made it necessary for me to obtain all of my financial support from other congregations of faithful Christians. Fortunately, my family and I have been blessed to have wonderful congregations of Christians who are both able and willing to help me to teach and preach the gospel of Christ in an area of the country where the Lord’s church barely exists.

Preachers who rely on outside support for all or most of their income realize how difficult that can be. During the course of any given year, it is necessary to replace portions of that support because some churches may not be able to continue with their support for various reasons. This creates its own challenges. Often times we cannot plan too far ahead with our finances because support could be lost at any given time. As a result, it is necessary to learn to be content with what we have because Jesus told us, “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble” (Matt. 6:34; cf. also Luke 3:14). Asking for financial support is something that is difficult for a preacher to do. We have a burning desire to preach the gospel, but at the same time we know we must be supported in our work to be able to preach and evangelize on a regular basis. As a preacher, remember this, that brethren in Christ, when able, are usually more than willing to help a preacher financially so that the work of teaching the lost can be accomplished.

I do not know of any Gospel preachers who began preaching in order to get materially rich. We preach in order to bring souls to Christ and strengthen the members. But there are material sacrifices that preachers make for themselves and their families in order to preach the truth of God’s Word. In 1 Timothy 6:6-9 it says, “Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition.”

God has provided all that we need in order to be happy and contented Christians. Yet, He brought us into the world without any possessions. What we can learn from this is that possessions cannot possibly be the root of happiness. All we can take to God is ourselves and the history of the lives we have lived whether good or bad (2 Cor. 5:10). There is no particular virtue in having to struggle to make ends meet. The apostle Paul does not condemn Christians who are wealthy, but he does warn those who have a “desire to be rich.” What is important are the spiritual things. True contentment will only come our way when we find that our wealth is in the love and fellowship of God, made possible by the blood of Jesus Christ.

Contentment is a precious gem, not only for a preacher, but also for his family. We know that we have learned to be content when we have submitted to the change of circumstances of life without anxiety, believing that there is a heavenly Father who knows our needs and will supply them for us. Therefore, a contented person will be flexible regarding the issues of life because of his understanding of God.

The work of a gospel preacher has its own unique challenges, whether preaching for a congregation of several hundred or just a handful. Various questions may come to the mind of a gospel preacher such as: “How much income should I have?” “Is my home nice enough to have people over?” “I know I must preach the whole counsel of God, but as I do, will the brethren accept it and appreciate it, or ask me to leave?” I have learned over the years that I cannot control every situation, but I can and do pray for God’s help and guidance in all aspects of my life. I cannot control the thoughts of others, but I can be content knowing that what I am doing is pleasing to God. The apostle Paul stated it best in Philippians 4:11-12, “Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.” The Scriptures emphasize the need for us to be content in the things that we have. “Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Heb. 13:5).

One of the absolute best things that we can do to ensure that we find and continue to be content is to count our blessings. We should make it a habit to always thank God for all the material things in life that we do have, and not dwell on those things that we do not have. “Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth” (Col. 3:2). We can never be contented if we continually think only of the material things of life. We should strive to enjoy and appreciate the simple things in life. For me, that is knowing that my family loves me for what I am doing and that they can clearly see that I love them and my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ more than anything or anyone else.

Finally, we should be content with what we have, but never content with what we are. Let us strive to be better teachers and preachers of the Gospel of Christ. The reason we became preachers is so that we can concentrate our efforts on the very same thing that Jesus came to do and that is to “…seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10). We need to pray, “Lord, help us be content with the material things, and help us be discontent with the spiritual things.” God is there for us, and He wants us to be there for Him. “Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content ... I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Phil. 4:11, 13).

richiethetford@gmail.com. Richie Thetford has preached for the Poudre Valley church of Christ in Loveland, CO, for the last 2 years.