Soldier, Be Content!
July 15th, 2009
Likewise the soldiers asked him, saying, "And what shall we do?" So he said to them, "Do not intimidate anyone or accuse falsely, and be content with your wages" (Luke 3:14).
God wants us to be content in this life. When we become discontented with our lot, we can easily be led astray into other worse sins. Take the soldiers who came to John the Baptist as an example. When they asked John what the Lord required of them, he said, "Do not intimidate anyone or accuse falsely, and be content with your wages."
The term "wages" included rations and money. In New Testament times soldiers were poorly paid. Their salaries consisted partly of a daily food allowance and partly of a minimal daily wage. Roman soldiers were paid in salt. Many of them were unhappy with their pitiful earnings and turned to dishonesty, bribery and extortion. Their lack of contentment turned them into villains and petty thieves. John's word to them was spot on. "Soldiers," he said, "be content with your wages."
This is valuable counsel for us Christians today. In scripture we are exhorted as "good soldiers of Jesus Christ" (2 Tim. 2:3). We are God's military personnel. How can we serve our Commander-in-Chief faithfully? One way is by being disciplined and not allowing ourselves to become entangled with the affairs of this life (2 Tim. 2:4). Another is by being contented with what we have.
1 Timothy 6:6-10 shows us why this is so crucial to our Christian walk: "Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil..." (1 Timothy 6:6-10).
Let's not underestimate the value of contentment in our lives. John didn't. While you may be underpaid, overtaxed, unappreciated and overlooked in your employment, stand fast soldier! You are in the Lord's army, and He will faithfully clothe you, care for you, feed you and shelter you. Keep your head up, give thanks in all things, and know that your Commander-in-Chief is gracious (1Pet. 2:3). In His own time He will reward you.
In His strong love,
Demitri
