Contentment is hard. It’s easy to want what someone else has, to want the “latest”. We just seem to always want just a little bit more. In my lifetime, I have seen the progression, especially in areas of technology. For instance:
- First, it was black and white TV’s with rabbit ears
- Then came color TV’s
- Then came remote controlled color TV’s
- Then came large screen TV’s
- Then came cable, then satellite
- Then came surround sound, Dolby, etc. TV’s
- Then came flatscreen TV’s
- Then came digital
- Then came….
I’m sure I am missing a few things, but I think you get the “picture”. Would any of us be content with a black & white TV with rabbit ears today? I remember reading somewhere (I think it was an MSNBC article) about going on a 1970’s budget as a way to save money – no cable, no cell phone, no home computer, etc. Funny how we (at least those of us old enough to remember) made it through without those things but now they are necessaties.
Now, I like these things and they are helpful (as well as dishwaters, air conditioning, and other things I didn’t have growing up!). But it is easy to slip out of contentment. And when we do, and we desire more riches (or stuff), it can become a snare which can plunge us into ruin and destruction (i.e., credit card debt, house foreclosures, etc.).
We brought nothing into this world, and we will take nothing out (Bible, 1 TImothy 6:7). But in between we sure like to collect and keep up. So be content with where you are – not complacent or lazy. But content and hard working.
Have a great and contented day!
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
It really is the same with anything; housing in my case. I was excited to get my own apartment, then my own condo, then a house, then a bigger house… It is just the way it cooks I guess. Contentment isn’t a bad thing, it can certainly make you more productive, so to get the things you want… Good post!
I always found technology to be amazing. Just when you think nothing else can get better, it does!
As for changes, I think we learn to adapt to our surroundings and learn to live with it. As changes come, we tend to adapt again. Who doesn’t love change?
Overall I think change has been good. I certainly love watching DVD’s and CD’s rather than 8 track tapes (yes I owned one of those) and VCR’s. But I think we need to be careful about trying to keep up with everything – we need to keep our financial house in order.
Thanks for the comments guys!