If you want contentment in your home, start by looking at what is says about contentment in Bible. Let’s unpack three scripture passages to dive into contentment and how you can cultivate it in your home!

I’ve spoken on this before and I will probably talk about it again because let’s be honest…contentment is hard in this consumer culture!

It’s hard as an adult, with an ever growing list of household renovations that we want to do, new wardrobe items we like or latest tech, gear or experience we want to try. And then we turn around and get frustrated with our children who have a growing list of toys they want for Christmas or Birthdays, while the mountain of toys they do have sits untouched!

Contentment in the home starts with understanding contentment in the Bible. Happiness isn’t homemade, it comes from God and it is learned. By nature children aren’t going to be thankful, and as adults we can become discontent if we allow ourselves to fall into the trap of “add to cart, add to wish list, want this, want that.”

So let’s dive into 3 verses and unpack what they mean and how we can use them with our families!

Contentment in the Bible

Philippians 4:11-13 

“I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”

Contentment in the Bible:

The key word in this verse is “learned.” Paul didn’t walk into the situations knowing how to be content with what he had, he learned it. 

It’s clear that as Christians, we also have to learn how to be content with what we have. We have a natural tendency to want more, it’s human nature! God has provided us with the tools to help foster contentment, right in the Bible. 

We can have contentment in BOTH plenty and want. We can be happy when we have abundance, and we can be happy when we are in need. Why? Because we have Christ’s strength.

The joy of the Lord is my strength. (Nehemiah 8:10)

When we run with the undercurrent of God’s joy, in all situations, contentment will follow. This is what we want to tell our children, especially if you are heading towards Christmas and the “wish list!”

Unpacking for families

Contentment isn’t about having less, it’s about wanting what you have. 

Read that again.

Contentment, at the heart, is gratitude. It’s being thankful for the things God has given (in the form of gifts from family and friends because you are loved!)

When we have an abundance of things, we can feel disconnected from God because we are overwhelmed by all the “stuff.” This isn’t to say that we should purge everything and live a minimalist lifestyle (unless you want, you do you!) but instead to recognize what we have as gifts from God.

Having “enough” is a heart issue, not a stuff issue.

Activity: “Enough for a Week”

Ready to try this in your space? Here’s an activity to do with your family this week!

• Choose one week where the family practices contentment with what you already have
• No new purchases (except groceries/necessities)
• No asking for new things
• Instead, each day find something you already own to enjoy, rediscover, or be grateful for
• At week’s end, discuss: “What did we learn? What do we already have that brings us joy?”

Hebrews 13:5 

“Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’”

Contentment in the Bible:

You can adjust this verse for your children, as they likely don’t have a love for money! But the sentiment is the same. If we have a love for money or things, it affects our love for God.

This might be a good time to unpack what it means to love something. We love our families, we love God but we don’t love stuff. 

And the love we have for God runs deeper and wider than our love for anything else. When we sit in God’s presence, when we talk to Him, worship Him, we find contentment because He fills our lives with good things.

He promises He will never leave nor forsake us. Which is saying a lot when you consider how often you throw out or donate old toys! The things we have in our lives are temporary. The toys and games will change as we change but God will stay the same.

Unpacking for Families

It is better to seek contentment in things that we know won’t change. That have shown they will remain faithful and help us in more ways than one.

Seeking a relationship with God provides us with a lifetime of joy and contentment. Because we know that He provides all we need, BOTH in plenty and want!

Activity: “Better Than Any Gift”

Ready to anchor this in your home? Try this activity!

• Create a two-column poster: “Gifts We Want” and “Gifts We Have in Jesus”
• Left side: Kids can list toys/items they want (alternatively you can cut things out of magazines or print them off)
• Right side: Family fills in spiritual blessings (God’s love, forgiveness, eternal life, His presence, answered prayers, the Bible, etc.)
• Discuss: “Which list matters more? Which list lasts forever?”
• Keep it visible during November/December or around birthdays as a perspective anchor

1 Timothy 6:6-8

“But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.”

Contentment in the Bible:

This verse defines what is “enough” for us – food and clothing (and shelter). When we think about all we would have to take away to get back down to those basics, we realize we live a life full of luxury.

We have more than enough in our homes. We should be satisfied with what we have, we should be content! Especially when we consider the fact that none of this stuff is coming with us when we die.

We find burial sites of people who lived before us, where the body is surrounded by their most precious items. It is a testament to how much humans hang on to the worldly items. As Christians, we know there is no reason to keep such a tight grip on our earthly lives because we have an eternal perspective; we are looking to heaven.

Unpacking for families:

It can be a hard lesson, especially when even our basic needs of clothing and food have become excessive.

I have a closet so full of clothes I have to swap them out in each season (I also live in Canada so we see temperatures from 40C to -40C!)

But our kitchen’s overflow with delicious food, choices beyond choices. So of course we feel entitled to have more because even the basics that we have are in abundance!

We need to slow down and help our children see how blessed they are. Starting with the basic necessities of clothing and food. The fact that your children can choose what they eat (or don’t eat) tells us how blessed we are!

Thank God for providing MORE than just “enough”

Activity: “Finding Our Enough”

• Take a family walk through your home and do a scavenger hunt, room by room
• In each room, identify (or find) the “basics” (food in kitchen, beds in bedrooms, warm clothes in closets, running water in bathroom, lights in a basement etc)
• Each person shares: “I’m thankful we have more than just food and clothing – we have _____”
• Count your blessings literally – how many pairs of shoes? How many warm blankets? How much food in the pantry?
• End with prayer thanking God for abundantly providing MORE than just “enough”

Cultivating Contentment

Contentment in the Bible is the foundation of teaching our children about living lives that are beyond material items. While it is good to have “things,” whether it’s toys, games, stuffed animals and everything in between, we also need to take time to be thankful for these things.

Cultivate contentment by teaching your children to give thanks before asking for more!

Ready for more?

Read Teaching Children Biblical Generosity or grab Ann Voskamp’s Guided Journal “Gifts and Gratitudes: A Year of One Thousand Gifts“

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