Church Culture

Building a Church Culture of Contentment in an Era of Complaint

by Dale Partridge & Veronica Partridge

In today’s world, it is easy to find yourself comparing your life to another’s. We have a steady stream of access to other people’s lives which involves them posting not just perfectly edited photos of their life’s highlights, but also consistently airing their complaints.

Unfortunately, the culture often influences the church more than the church influences the culture. That being said, contentment is becoming an increasingly lost virtue among Christians and is being replaced with complaints, strivings, and dissatisfaction.

A.W. Pink once said, “Contentment, then, is the product of a heart resting in God. It is the soul’s enjoyment of that peace that passes all understanding. It is the outcome of my will being brought into subjection to the Divine will. It is the blessed assurance that God does all things well, and is, even now, making all things work together for my ultimate good.”

So in this episode of Real Christianity, Dale and Veronica Partridge discuss what the Bible says about contentment and how Christians can guard against the inclination to covet and complain in the face of God’s glorious grace.

Additional Resources

Scripture References

  • Hebrews 12:2

    “look unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross.”

  • Philippians 4:11-13

    “Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: 12 I know how to [a]be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

  • 1 Timothy 6:6-10

    “Now godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8 And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content (basically everything else is an extra blessing). 9 But those who desire to be rich (implying they are discontent) fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition (This supports our statement on discontentment being a gateway sin). 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.”

  • Psalm 100:4

    “Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name!”

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After watching or listening to this episode, what is your opinion? Do you have any questions or comments? Maybe you have something to add to the discussion? If so, let us know in the comments below.

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