{"id":906,"date":"2012-02-03T14:10:09","date_gmt":"2012-02-03T14:10:09","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/chadstutzman.net\/?p=906"},"modified":"2012-02-03T14:10:09","modified_gmt":"2012-02-03T14:10:09","slug":"contentment-leads-to-happiness","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/chadstutzman.com\/?p=906","title":{"rendered":"Contentment Leads to Happiness"},"content":{"rendered":"

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What does contentment mean?<\/p>\n

\u201cContentment is realizing that God has already provided everything I need for my present and future happiness.\u201d<\/p>\n

In the New Testament, the words content and contentment are translated from arkeo, <\/em>which means \u201cto be satisfied; to be strong,\u201d and autarkeia, <\/em>which means \u201cto need no aid or support; sufficiency of the necessities of life.<\/p>\n

\u201cBe content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee\u201d Hebrews 13:5.<\/em><\/p>\n

Six Thoughts about Contentment:
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  1. Contentment is contrary to human nature and must be learned.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    \u201cI am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstance\u201d Philippians 4:11.<\/em>
    \n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/em><\/p>\n

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    1. Contentment begins by knowing the purpose of Life.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      \u201cI want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death\u201d Philippians 3:10.
      \n<\/em><\/p>\n

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      1. Contentment requires distinguishing between needs and wants.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        \u201cBut if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that\u201d 1 Timothy 6:8
        \n<\/em><\/p>\n

        \u201cSo do not worry , saying, \u2018What shall we eat?\u2019 or \u2018What shall we drink?\u2019 or \u2018 What shall we wear?\u2019\u00a0 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.\u00a0 But seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.\u201d Matthew 6:31-33.
        \n<\/em><\/p>\n

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        1. Contentment is based on a recognition of mutual need.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

          \u201cMan does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God\u201d Matthew 4:4<\/em><\/p>\n