Are You Content With Too Little?
December 10th, 2007 | Michael Q. Pink
Contentment is good. In fact, very good. However there is also a problem with the concept people attach to contentment. It seems to me that too many people are content leading lives of little accomplishment, small thinking and mediocrity. They say they are content with their meager lives, preferring instead a life of spiritual pursuit or at least the form thereof.
I think spiritual pursuit is good, but without a material, physical, tangible impact, the benefit is often quite limited. In other words, unless the spiritual pursuit results in meaningful, observable change, has it really been a worthwhile pursuit? James said that our faith, if it has no works, is dead. Works can be seen. God is Spirit, but he loved us so much that the Spirit became flesh and dwelt among us and did stuff. Lots of stuff.
While spiritual pursuit can result in tangible benefits like a solid marriage, strong character, good work ethic, etc., all of which are good, where are the warriors among us who want more than basic godly living which is our reasonable service? I for one am weary of low living, small thinking, and average accomplishment. I think we can do better. And I am not speaking of how much “stuff” we can accumulate. That is small thinking! I want us to impact nations, direct policy, own the media, build and staff the universities, control vast financial reserves and use them for good. How about you?
On a related note, I know most of you received the information we sent out last week with a special offer for the first 500 people to order the Christian Wealth Building seminar we did with Rich Church — Poor Church author, John Muratori. Click here for details. We are already getting back raving reviews of the life-changing content so I urge you to take advantage of the offer before we run through those first 500. Look at the blog comments from Kara Harris if you need a little fire starter!
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December 10th, 2007 at 10:07 am
Michael,
Now you are beginning to sound like Martha.
What she wanted was more important then what pleased Jesus. Have you ever stopped to think that it pleases the Father to not let us be in control because he knows who wicked we can become.
Remember what the wisest and richest man ever said: “Proverb:22:1: A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.”
The purpose of contentment is so we can watch for our Father, move when He moves and work as he reveals his plan to us.
December 10th, 2007 at 11:43 am
Awesome thought, Michael. What a concept - Christians directing the media and directing policy - the implications are astounding!
December 10th, 2007 at 12:31 pm
I have tried repeatedly to be one of the FIRST 500 people to obtain this book RICH CHURCH-POORCHURCH…
HOW do I order this without paying for all the other offers before hand .seems like this is NOT free only untilyou BUY one of the CD/DVD offers.
Could this be true ???
I feel contentment is to WATCH THE LORD move in our NEEDS…to BE QUIET and WAIT
December 10th, 2007 at 1:43 pm
CONTENTMENT- BEING SATISFIED IN WHAT-SO-EVER STATE YOU FIND YOURSELF IN. PAUL TAUGHT THIS LESSON. BEING ANXIOUS FOR NOTHING, BUT IN PRAYER LET YOUR REQUEST BE MADE KNOWN. CASTING ALL YOUR CARES ON HIM FOR HE CARES FOR YOU. BUT….. DO NOT CONFUSE CONTENMENT WITH COMPLACENCY…. COMPLACENCY IS JUST BEING SATISFIED WITH WHERE YOU ARE AND HAVING NO DESIRE FOR CHANGE. FEELING COMFORTABLE AND NOT WANTING TO GET OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE. BEING STILL IS NOT BEING LAZY. TO BE STILL WITH GOD IS TO BE ACTIVE IN THE SPIRIT….REST,FAITH, TRUST,OBEDIENCE,PATIENCE,ENDURING AND SO ON…..GET THE PICTURE!
December 10th, 2007 at 1:53 pm
AMEN MILDRED!!!
December 10th, 2007 at 3:56 pm
Life alterations are always somehow painful. Our Lord Yeshua knows this all to well, as it cost Him dearly to dare fulfill the law in bringing considerable alterations to the common understanding of preciously assumed meaning of scriptures. If often takes a while for any of us to move away from our Godly Comfort Zones, and accept an alteration of our understanding of God ways, which in themselves do not change. Interesting enough, that the church believed firmly that the earth was at the center of the universe for centuries until someone dared to ‘think” differently. Obviously he was not content was the acceptable and Godly notion that since God created the earth and man, so it had to be the center of universe. Anyone today professing that the earth is the center of the universe would be rightfully considered utterly ridiculous. Contentment is not the center of our lives, Christ is, and He lives and rules and creates and transforms and reveals that which was not yet pre-empted by our limited and unrefined hearts and minds. He leads anyone of us in a different way, however the abiding principle is that faith that does not translate into action, which result into impact, leading to transformation of our surroundings (little or big) is no faith at all. I used to be Godly in the acceptable way, trusting in God in a passive and content mode, until He led me to understand that this was an Ungodly Pursuit of God. Now that I decided to risk it all, becoming discontent with my Ungodly Trust in God, I started to see coming into place things that I did not even dare dream about before. I am not rich or famous, but everyday I am more alive than the day before because I choose to leave my Christianese comfort zone and started to follow the dynamically glorious God we call “Father”. What a ride!
I love being discontent! Always challenging, but enormously rewarding, not only for me, but also for those who are touched by the wake of my awakening! That is where the rubber meets the road… Good going Michael…!
December 10th, 2007 at 4:51 pm
YES YES YES !!!!!!!!!!!!!
I have this burning desire to see the kingdom come.
I long to read a news paper with good news.
I long to listen to High school college kids speak with wisdom.
Please print
Thank you
Judy Holm
December 11th, 2007 at 7:26 am
Hi!
Thank you Mr. Michael Q Pink for this kind of article. We need to let people know that with too little we will not be able to go all over the world and preach to all nations. We need to understand this. Getting more ang gaining more influence will only help us. We will not become wicked because of that if we really love the Lord.
Thank you.
// Enrique D, Sweden