Holy Discontent

When is it ever enough?

I have a car.

A very nice one.

And yet, this past weekend, I still found myself enthralled with the idea of getting a luxury SUV. So, I spent hours reviewing the different makes and models in the mid-size SUV category—BMWs, Mercedes, Lexus, Acuras, you name it. Then I went to bed and felt guilty. I felt the guilt of the sin of greed—of wanting more than what I have for the sake of it—of not being content with what I have—of being discontent.

So I repented and went to sleep. When I woke up the following day, the first words I heard were “holy discontent.” As I was still sleepy and rising, I suddenly realized in a jolt of awareness that this was the voice of God! He was speaking to me! And it was directly in response to what had happened the night before.

He was saying it's ok to be discontent. But be discontent in the things the Lord cares about, which matter to his heart. Don’t be discontent with the make of your car, but be discontent that people in your neighborhood are sleeping outside. There are people in your church about to lose their homes or battling sickness. Be discontent with that!

Whew!

I prayed, and God led me to this verse:

Listen, my beloved brothers,
has not God chosen those who are poor in the world
to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom,
which he has promised to those who love him?

James 2:5 ESV

I love how James turns the words “rich” and “heirs” from carriers of wealth to carriers of heaven on Earth. You can be rich in faith instead of money and inherit the kingdom instead of property. And instead of the privileged obtaining these things…it’s the poor.

God’s Upside-Down Kingdom

In this Kingdom, the last are first. We are to watch for opportunities to serve, not be served. We are not to be satisfied with our privilege but to use it to help others.

I love this episode of Bible Project: What Does Jesus Say About Money?

It was so insightful. My big takeout was when co-host Jon Collins said God wants us to “give aggressively.” It sort of hit me as a perfect way of describing how God wants us to steward his resources. Er on giving too much. Ironically, I have the gift of giving, so I’m happy to do this. But living in this world of consumption and accumulation also challenges this.

When is it ever enough?

And he said to them,
“Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness,
for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.

Luke 12:15 ESV

One of the reasons I love being a Christian is that Jesus just checks every negative human impulse you can have—not in a way that brings shame but opens a door full of light on the other side. Even when Jesus says take up your cross and follow me (Matthew 16:24), there’s a great call on the other side.

How is God prompting you to holy discontent?

Dear Jesus,
Help us give ourselves away to others,
Help us see the lowly and poor,
Help us be discontent with poverty around us,
Lead us to action.
Amen