There are some areas where we need to learn to be content.  When it comes to the physical things of life, Paul stressed the importance of being content by giving himself as an example.

Philippians 4:11–12 (ESV)
¹¹ Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. ¹² I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.

As God’s children, we can be sure that God will supply all our needs (Philippians 4:18).  We know this from scripture and from our own experience in life.  Hasn’t God always taken care of you?  The problem is some never seem to have enough when it comes to the physical things of this world.  Like Paul, we must learn to be content so we can say with David, “I shall not want.”

In the spiritual realm, the opposite of this is true.  We should never grow content with where we are spiritually, but instead, we should always strive to do better and be better.

1 Thessalonians 4:1 (ESV)
¹ Finally, then, brothers, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more.

Paul had taught the brethren at Thessalonica how to live their lives in such a way that would be pleasing to God.  The good news is that they were following his instructions.  In fact, their conversion was such that their faith in God spread throughout Macedonia and Achaia (1 Thessalonians 1:8-9).  These were brethren who were pleasing God by their spiritual walk.  Yet, Paul did not want them to be content.  He exhorted them to do so more and more.

This was a common exhortation of Paul.  He wanted Christians to abound more in more in the virtues of Christianity.

Philippians 1:9 (ESV)
⁹ And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment,

He exhorted the brethren at Thessalonica to do the same thing, even though he knew that they were already demonstrating a great deal of love for each other and others.

1 Thessalonians 4:9–10 (ESV)
⁹ Now concerning brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another, ¹⁰ for that indeed is what you are doing to all the brothers throughout Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers, to do this more and more,

Constantly growing in Christ is imperative to our survival as Christians.  Do you have faith in God?  Strive to have more and more.  Do you love your brethren?  Strive to do so more and more.  Are you living your life in such a way that is pleasing to God?  Strive to do more and more?  If you are a strong, faithful child of God, that is great, but do not be content.  You can be better.  Your knowledge can increase.  Your love for God can increase.  Your prayer life can increase.  In all areas of your spiritual life, you can abound more and more, but you must avoid spiritual contentment.   Let’s all be like Paul, “forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead” (Philippians 3:13).

As you wind down for the night, think about these things.