The term is from the Latin and literally means "the state in which." In our English usage, it means the current state or condition and is most often used to describe the current and desired situation. In other words, if you are happy with the way things are at the moment, you are content with the status quo. It is also used to speak about the current situation when it is not desirable for the one speaking. For example, one might say, "Of course, as long as the big oil companies are making all the money, they're happy with the status quo."

Should faithful disciples of Jesus Christ be happy with the status quo? That depends on whether you are speaking of spiritual or material matters, where you are, and what you are doing; but it is a question worth taking the time to answer. Let us consider Scripture to see what God says, shall we?

In Material Matters. When I think about status quo, the first thing that comes to mind is the Hebrews writer's words, "Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for He has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.'" (Hebrews 13:5) Faithful disciples understand that they are not to be chasing after the material things of this world. They should be happy with what they have; this contentment is based on the promise of God, who has told us we will never be without what we need. Covetousness, which Paul called idolatry (cf. Colossians 3:5), demonstrates a lack of trust in God's word and the surety of His provision; when we trust God, though, we will not be spending our time in the pursuit of material gain.

Paul warned Timothy against those who taught that godliness was a means to material gain (1 Timothy 6:5) and then clarified the proper mind set. "Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content." (vv.6-8) Basically, Paul said that since we came into this world with nothing, why should we live as though our goal in life is to accumulate as many material goods as possible? We need to learn to be happy with what we have! As a contrast, Paul then described the life of the one who was not content with what he had: "But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs." (vv.9,10)

Paul, through his life experiences, had personally learned this kind of contentment. To the Philippian brethren, he wrote [from jail, no less], "I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 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." (Philippians 4:11,12) The secret of which Paul spoke was simply remembering God's promise that He would tend to his every need. In reality, Paul said he had learned to accept the status quo because everything was in God's hands, and he believed he would not lack for anything he truly needed. The power to "do all things" came through Christ (v.13), and that was a comforting bit of knowledge to someone who was beaten and imprisoned, and who suffered cold and hunger for the sake of Christ and His teachings.

Questions: Are you content with such things as you have? Do you trust in God to provide what you need?

The Test: You may have answered the above questions affirmatively, but let's put that to the test. Are you working hours that interfere with your spiritual service? Do you excuse yourself by telling yourself [and others] that you have to work those hours? If you are a full-time preacher of God's word, do you actually preach the whole counsel of God, or do you avoid certain subjects because your financial livelihood is at stake? Do you refrain from preaching on certain subjects where you are because you know some would withdraw their financial support, or the elders would fire you? Sadly, some disciples are chasing after material things because they are not content with what they have, and a few preachers will not preach on some subjects because they do not trust God to provide, and they fear the actions of those whom they might offend more than they fear God's judgment.

Friends and brethren, let us learn to be content with such things as we have. Our happiness should not be determined by how much or how little we have, or even how much we have in comparison to our brethren. In material matters, we should be happy with the status quo.

In Spiritual Matters. The first thing that comes to mind regarding our spiritual condition should be the question of whether or not we are in Christ--forgiven of our sins, saved from our past sins, and in possession of the hope of eternal life in heaven. Outside of Christ, we are without God and hope (Ephesians 2:12), but in Christ, we can enjoy all spiritual blessings (1:3). If you are not in Christ, you should be dissatisfied and discontent because you lack a very important thing--spiritual life!

But what about those who are in Christ? Should they be happy with the status quo? Again, this depends on your own situation. When thinking about your current spiritual status quo, consider some words Peter directed to those who were already in Christ. He wrote to the first-century Christians who had already faced hardships because of their faith, and admonished them to "grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 3:18). In his first letter, he had urged them, "as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby" (1 Peter 2:2). Clearly, Christ's disciples cannot rest on past history and should not be content with the status quo. Spiritual growth must be constant, with our goal to be more and more like Jesus (Ephesians 4:13).

But in another sense, the realm of authority, we must be happy with the spiritual status quo. We must realize that Christ has been given all authority in the church (Matthew 28:18), that we, therefore, have none, and that this will never change. Through the years, some men have usurped that authority and placed themselves as heads over certain religious organizations [which cannot, therefore, be the Lord's church] and have presumptuously added to or taken away from God's revealed word [the Bible]. Others have argued that God's will changes with society and its status quo. To them, the only thing that is certain is not God's revealed word, but change itself. They have arbitrarily redefined God's will to the point where sin is no longer sin; the Bible is a doubtful assemblage of the writings of mere, fallible humans who wrote what they did based on their personal beliefs and experiences; and Christ is just another man who just happened to speak particularly notable words. To them, nothing is absolute, especially in the realm of spiritual authority.

But God's word is clear; Jesus has all authority (Ephesians 1:22,23; Colossians 1:18). If that is unsettling, or if the thought of complete submission to someone else's will is unsatisfactory, I have nothing else to say that can help you. Jesus has plainly told us His words will judge us in the last day, so we better start working on our own attitudes if we don't like this fact.

We should never be content with our spiritual maturity or the amount of work we have done for our Lord. Change what you need to change, and be content with the things you cannot change.