I have been a big fan of Lamar Jackson since 2015 when I first watched him play football as a freshman at the University of Louisville. He was the most exciting college football player I have ever seen, and he remains a remarkable athlete. After Jackson was drafted into the NFL, I was pleased to see him excel as the quarterback for the Baltimore Ravens. He performed so well that he was named the NFL’s Most Valuable Player in 2019, the youngest quarterback ever to receive the honor.
However, many are trying to understand Jackson’s recent decision to reject the $200 million contract extension he was offered. According to news reports, the Raven’s offer to Jackson fully guaranteed him $133 million at signing, $175 million if he got injured, and $200 million guaranteed if he were on the roster on the fifth day of the 2026 season.
Many sports analysts speculate that Jackson rejected the offer because other NFL quarterbacks have been offered more money, and in comparison, Baltimore’s offer to Jackson seems disrespectful. However, many others feel that $250 million is a lot of money to be paid to play football, leading some to accuse Jackson of being greedy and unreasonable. Since Lamar Jackson is so likable, and he was involved in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes while playing for U of L, I hate to see him criticized. Yet, since he is not very public with his thoughts, we are left to speculate why he did not accept such a large offer.
Regardless of Jackson’s motives, we could all benefit from this reminder from the Apostle Paul in 1 Timothy 6:7-8:
“For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.”
Rather than comparing ourselves with others, or being envious or complaining about what we don’t have and being dissatisfied, the Scripture encourages us to be content with the basics and take delight in and trust the providence of God. No matter how much you earn, you cannot take it with you when you die.
I need to remember this passage today as well. As I look around, I have much more than I ever dreamed, and I have much more than I ever deserved. Yet, sometimes I catch myself comparing my situation to others, causing me to grow envious and discontented. For instance, I recently bought a new Chevy Equinox. It is roomy and comfortable, rides smoothly, and gets nearly 30 miles to a gallon. Yet it does not have leather seats. Nor does it have the automatic slow-down feature on the cruise control. And last week, I discovered my Equinox without leather seats and automatic slow-down is also not as quick as my friend Roy Lawson’s new, all-electric Tesla.
So if it is true that Lamar Jackson wants more than $200 million to play football because other quarterbacks receive more than that, then my attitude about my friend’s car is not much different from Lamar Jackson’s. We want more because others have more. The Bible identifies that as covetousness and envy. Enough is not enough. We imagine we would truly be happy if we had just 10% more. However, the secret of happiness is learning to be content with what God has given.
What about you? Can you honestly say, like the Apostle Paul, “But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that”? Or are you restless because you seem to focus on what you don’t have? Perhaps you regularly fret about your house being small or that your car is old. Maybe you get frustrated that your clothes aren’t as nice, or your ring is not as large as hers. On and on it goes. We are always wanting more.
If you are discontented, may I suggest you do two things? First, take a mission trip to a third-world country and witness the joy of Christian people who have hardly anything and do not fret about needing more. Observe how they fervently sing and worship, genuinely rejoicing in their salvation in Christ. That perspective will humble and remind you just how rich and spoiled you are.
Second, write 1 Timothy 6:7-8 down on a notecard, and read it so often it becomes etched into your soul. Repeat it every time you fret about what you don’t have or are tempted to be greedy or envious. “For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.”
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