We’re continuing our series on similarities between society at the Tower of Babel and society today, and how we are starting to look a lot like Babel 2.0 - and that’s not good. Today, the aspect of society we want to cover is the creeping malaise of discontentment and dissatisfaction with all aspects of life. 

Discontent is nothing new

God creates man in his own image and right after eating the forbidden fruit, they were ashamed because they were naked. Do you get that? The first humans, who had everything, were convinced they didn’t have enough.

King David, whom God granted the throne of Israel, who had many wives (and many concubines beyond that), who had power and riches and treasure and influence… was convinced that another man’s wife would be the tipping point that finally made him happy. Spoiler alert: she did not.

Nelson Rockefeller was once asked “how much money does it take to be happy?” His response echoes throughout society today: “Just a little bit more…”

Why aren’t we content with what we have?

Contentment is not laziness

• • • Proverbs 13:4 - A sluggard’s appetite is never filled,
      but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied.
    • Colossians 3:23 - Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters,
    • Proverbs 10:4 - Lazy hands make for poverty,
      but diligent hands bring wealth.

Contentedness looks at work well done and says “it is good.”  Laziness never does that work in the first place. Contentedness is the result of something… even if we didn’t do the work:

• • • 1 Timothy 6:6-11 - 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. Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
    • 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.

Contentedness is a state of mind, but more than that, it’s a state of spirit.  It’s being appreciative - contentedness sees blessings in what we have instead of seeing frustration in what we don’t have.

Contentedness realizes that happiness is not found in physical and material things in this life: it’s not a great job, it’s not a nice house or a fancy car, it’s not a large bank account.

Contentment would rather live in a hut with a loved one than in a mansion alone, because relationships matter more than things. In fact, the greatest contentment comes from the greatest relationship:

Contentment is found by being in a right relationship with God.

In the time of Babel, they were dealing with a discontent world because what God had given them was not enough. Today, we are marching that direction again, in all of the following areas:

Areas of Discontent Today

Discontentment in Humanity

The human body is incredible! It is an absolute marvel, how all of the systems and functions work together so well. When Pastor Greg broke his finger, he spent 7 hours in surgery and the surgeon could only restore the ability to bend the knuckles a little bit. Why? “We just can’t build it like the Creator can.”

We are formed in the image of God, but we are discontent with our looks, our weight, our intelligence. We are developing “designer babies,” ways to mess with fetal genomes to pick the gender, the eye color, to be more attractive (!) — an effort to literally make a perfect baby. 

And if it’s too late for you to be born a perfect baby, fear not: there is a pursuit of “humanity plus,” literally bio-hacking their way to being smarter, stronger, healthier… because you feel like the body you were given is not enough.

Discontentment in Lifespan

Some of us hear memento mori and say “nay nay,” pursuing science and technology to extend our lives. From the Fountain of Youth to artificial organs to cryogenically-frozen heads, mankind’s pursuit of immortality just will not stop. 

Bored with Earth? Let’s pack up and terraform an entirely different planet, so we can spread out a little more! And if you can’t afford to do that, then that’s fine, just invest in the Metaverse - you can play catch with Patrick Mahommes whenever you want! (In case it’s not clear: the previous paragraph is intended as sarcasm.)

Discontentment in Possessions

Extreme materialism has ruined us, just as 2 Timothy 3 said it would. (For more on that, see our Quarantined series on how 2 Timothy 3 tells us to “have nothing to do with such people” as we’ll see in the last days.)

Our homes aren’t big enough, our cars aren’t new enough, our shoes aren’t shiny enough, our looks aren’t good enough, our days off aren’t numerous enough, our churches aren’t fun enough, our Christmas morning isn’t present-laden enough… Like Rockefeller, every year we itch for “just a little bit more.” 

How can we be truly content in life?

Contentedness is found in believing a God who says “I love you as you are,” and really believing that. The great journey of Christianity is being simultaneously covered in grace while you grow in keeping His commands. He asks that we give our time, talents, and treasure towards building the Kingdom, but His love and acceptance of you are not conditional on anything you do (or don’t).

God has made you in His image, and He has redeemed you through the blood of His Son.

That is enough.

We lose sight of contentment when we compare ourselves to others. Like the Charles Schultz cartoon, Peanuts, once animated in a Thanksgiving Special: Snoopy sits on his doghouse, looking back and forth between his bowl full of dog food and his family inside, enjoying a Thanksgiving feast. Grumbling, he says “I should be in there, eating all of that.” Then, looking back at his dog food, he brightens up and says “you know what? It could be worse. I could have been born a turkey.”

The key to contentment is to stop the comparisons. There will always be people better off and worse off. You could have been born a turkey. You did nothing to earn this life! Even a bowl of dog food is better than the alternative.

You were not owed existence, but He brought you into it and made you real.

You were not owed a single day of life, but how many days and years has He given you?

You were not owed a job, a home, a car, a family, your health, your wealth… but consider what He has provided you to reach others with.

You were certainly not owed forgiveness for your actions or attitudes, but He gave it anyway.

Contentment stems from gratefulness. May God give us eyes to see and ears to hear. Amen.