Continuing in the vein of yesterday’s devotion we are going to contrast two words again today, content and contentious. They are such similar sounding words yet worlds apart in their meanings. Content refers to either “containing,” such as the contents of the box. Or it can mean “a state of being,” such as Paul’s statement, “Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.” (Philippians 4:11) So we would be justified in saying that part of the content of Paul’s soul was contentment. But Paul also encouraged Timothy to be content in godliness, “But godliness with contentment is great gain.” (1Timothy 6:6) Oh if “blab it and grab it” preacher would see that it would revolutionize their preaching! Of course they would no longer be rich, but they might just hear, “I am God and I approve this message!” Now let us look at what the Bible has to say about contention. “As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife.” (Proverbs 26:21) “It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman.” (Proverbs 21:19) “A continual dropping in a very rainy day and a contentious woman are alike.” (Proverbs 27:15) And Paul brings it into the perspective of ungodliness “To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life: but unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; but glory, honor and peace to every man that works good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile: for there is no respect of persons with God.” (Romans 2:7-11) Not a very pretty picture is it? There is one more verse on “contentious” but it will remain for a different take on it tomorrow. For today suffice to say that it is much better to have one’s soul “content“ be that of being continually filled with godly contentment and recognize that contention is to be avoided. Baruch HaShem Adonai
Posted on: Tue, 01 Apr 2014 08:58:10 +0000
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