On this military spouse appreciation day, I’d like to welcome Ebony as a blog contributor! I met Ebony in the chapel here in Grand Forks about three years ago, and even though she’s moved west and I’m about to move south, we’ve been able to stay connected via Wives of Faith and Facebook.           ~Pattie~

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A Case for Contentment

by Ebony Sonnenberg

Then some soldiers asked (John), “And what should we do?”
He replied, “Don’t extort money and don’t accuse people falsely -
be content with your pay.”

Luke 3:14

Of all the issues we face when becoming a part of the military community, the topic of money and the stress it brings is the most common. No matter the rank, family size, location or age, we all experience financial woes at one time or another. For the males especially, it never really goes away. Our husbands are designed with built in care-o-meters, and it’s their job to make sure all our (apparent) needs are met. These include food, shelter and clothing – anything outside of this scope of care maintains a lower priority.

The words of this passage are not red in my Bible, but as I read them I know they are no less important. Scripture is God-breathed (2 Timothy 3:16); every word has significance, and comes straight from the heart of God. What does this mean for us, as wives? Why is this contentment so important and why should we change our heart attitude when it comes to money?

First and foremost, as children of God, we need to remember that He will take care of our every need. In Philippians 4:19, Paul states, “And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” The monthly paycheck is only a portion of how God provides. But what does He provide? Here is a passage from the Sermon on the Mount where Jesus shares about God’s provision:

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?

“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

Matthew 6:25-34

I don’t know about you, but when I’m not busy worrying about money, I have so much more time and energy to spend on responsibilities that really are my own – being a helpmate for my husband, an attentive mother, and working toward the calling God’s given me. Imagine the testimony you could share about how God meets your needs.  If relying on God for your daily bread isn’t a faith-builder, I don’t know what is!

Sometimes there isn’t enough for the extras we’d like to have. No one ever perished from lack of cable. Take some time to review your “needs” with your spouse. Chances are, you will see some expenses that really could disappear and your family would be healthier, stronger, or happier because of it. Being a good steward of the blessings we’ve received also comes into play. In many instances of feeling we need more, God has already given us what we need and we have to adjust our budgets and our attitudes.

Putting on an attitude of praise as each paycheck comes in can go a long way in encouraging our spouses as well. We all work hard at what we do, and appreciating the fruits of each others labors is good for each of us. Here’s one more reminder:

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.” Hebrews 13:5

Never will God forsake us. Not in base housing, not in a foreign country, not as our boys grow into teenagers and devour everything in sight. Never. Which means He will always provide for His children -  but for what we need.

Are your basic needs being met? Is there something taking priority that isn’t a need? How can you adjust your attitude and your budget this week to reflect your trust that God will provide for your needs?

(Scriptures are from the NIV, all emphasis in bold is mine.)

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