In between counting my blessings and drafting goals for my family, I came across these questions that I hopefully could find the answers to, if it is God’s will.
Contented \kən-ˈten-təd\
adjective
: feeling or showing satisfaction with one’s possessions, status, or situation
If a person’s basic needs, which are a roof over his head, clean clothes on his back and food for every day, are supplied, should he be content?
1 Timothy 6:5-7 (NIV) 5 and constant friction between people of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.
Ambition \am-ˈbi-shən\
noun
1 a : an ardent desire for rank, fame, or power
b : desire to achieve a particular end
2 : the object of ambition
3 : a desire for activity or exertion
If a person aspires to be more and to do more, if he wants a better job and a better house, is he exhibiting discontent?
Matthew 7:7-8 (NIV) 7 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
Care to enlighten me regarding contentment and ambitions? Can we have both?
In my humble opinion, somebody who is ambitious isn’t necessarily exhibiting discontent. He simply wishes to reach his full potential. I guess it will depend on one’s motivation for seeking better things. If it’s simply because he wants to push himself to the limit, then maybe that’s fine. But if it’s because he keeps complaining about his current situation, then maybe that’s evidence of discontent.
That's a good point there. I guess complaining does exhibit discontent.