Contentment Or Complacency?

“I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation…” Philippians 4:12

Abby and I were enjoying lunch with friends recently when the subject of complacency came up, and the danger it poses to the American church. In any case, it’s gotten me thinking about the difference between complacency, which the Bible warns us about, and contentment, to which the Bible calls us.

I’ve been a Christian now for forty-seven years and a pastor for thirty-five of these. As you can imagine, I’ve experienced, been privy to, and dealt with every imaginable kind of struggle, whether moral, philosophical, theological, familial, ecclesial, political, and more. And, I can say with confidence that those who are struggling in these areas as they seek to follow Jesus are in far better shape than those who just shrug their shoulders and plod along.

Complacency is spiritual dry rot. It means we’ve grown accustomed to things as they are, and have no desire for things as they could be. It’s a depressive state. It’s a sleeping death. It’s a faithless place. It lacks color. It resists the prodding of the Word or the Holy Spirit. It kills marriages, churches, businesses, countries, and individuals. I’d much rather deal with an anigry Christian than a complacent Christian. At least the angry Christian is still alive.

Contentment, on the other hand, is rooted in spiritual vitality. It means we’ve learned to cope well with life as it is, and yet still desire life as it could be. It’s a restful, not passive, state. It’s life-giving. It’s rooted in grace. It’s colorful. Dealing with contented Christians is a pleasure because they’ve learned how to engage life in all its joys and disappointments, and continue to move forward in active discipleship.

Paul puts it like this: “I know what it means to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty…I can do all this through him (Jesus) who gives me strength.” (4:12) In other words, we’ve experienced the joys and the hard knocks of life in this fallen world, and have accepted the reality of life; we’ve learned how to thrive as we join Jesus in his mission to the world. And, we’ve been able to do this because of Jesus’ grace, and his transforming presence in our lives.

Some years ago, Creed sang a song from the perspective of a new father. The song celebrated life, a life of contentment, not complacency:

If I had just one wish/Only one demand/I hope he's not like me/I hope he understands/That he can take this life
And hold it by the hand/And he can greet the world/With arms wide open...

Following Jesus calls us to contentment not complacency. We’re called to take responsibility (“take up your cross”) as we live out our lives during both good times and bad. It means we do not disengage and shrug our shoulders in a kind of blind acceptance or passive “faith,” but allow the life-giving presence of Jesus to empower us. It calls us to put our hands to the plow and move forward with our eyes wide open, trusting Jesus as we look toward his blessed appearing and the sure and certain hope of the resurrection of the dead!

“Brothers and sisters…one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13-14

Contentment doesn’t mean you stop fishing!