One of the most content men I’ve ever met lived in one of the smallest apartments I’ve ever seen. His name was Jerry, a longtime member of the first church I served as a pastor. As time passed and Jerry and I got to know each other, he invited me to visit him in his home, an apartment a few miles from our church. When I walked through the doors, I was immediately struck by the size of the place, a studio setup where bedroom, kitchen, and living room all squeezed into a few square feet no bigger than a couple of parking spots. Yet the entire time we talked, I didn’t sense any frustration or anger over Jerry’s simple lifestyle. Instead, I saw genuine joy.

Then Jerry showed me the secret of his contentment. He pulled out a file that was aged and worn from use, a file that contained the personal Bible studies he had completed over the past years. Word by word, Jerry meditated on key concepts in the Scriptures, finding all the uses of saved or grace and hand copying them into his notes. Nothing brought Jerry more joy than what he had discovered in the Word, truths that led him closer and closer to the loving heart of his Father.

Friend, you don’t need a big house, a new car, or another trip to be content. Just a long look at the unfailing love of your Father in heaven. Just like Jerry. 

“But godliness with contentment is great gain” (1 Timothy 6:6).