Contentment A Fruit Of Faith

What’s the greatest obstacle to your having an ideal relationship with God ?

Luke 18:25 For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.

We are really rich ! 41 % of the wealth 50 % of the houses

It is not sinful to be rich but it is an obstacle.

I Timothy 6: 10 For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

All this wealth and yet the average American is not satisfied, not content.

Ecclesiastes 1: 14 – I have seen all the works which have been done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity and striving after wind. Ecclesiastes 5: 10 – He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves abundance with its income. This too is vanity. Ecclesiastes 12: 8 – “Vanity of vanities,” says the Preacher, “all is vanity!”

From childhood Americans are trained to be dissatisfied.

Christians must break this yoke of Satan and be different from the world. Romans 12: 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

Hebrews 13: 5 Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, “I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you,”

I. What does it mean to be contented.

Contentment is an attitude external response to life. of heart, not just an external response to life.

Matthew 10: 23 But whenever they persecute you in one city, flee to the next; … Acts 8: 1 And on that day a great persecution began against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.

II. The Christian must put forth effort to learn contentment.

Genuine contentment is attainable. Philippians 4: 11 Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. Philippians 4: 13 I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.

Philippians 1: 6 For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 2: 13 Work out your salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.

I Thessalonians 2: 13 For this reason we also constantly thank God that when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but for what it really is, the word of God, which also performs its work in you who believe.

Fix your mind on things above, not on things that are on the earth. Ecclesiastes 12: 13 The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person. Colossians 3: 2 Fix your mind on things above, not on things that are on the earth.

III. In order to learn contentment one must accept his position on the earth.

Man is but a tenant on God’s earth. Psalms 24: 1 The earth is the Lord's, and all it contains, The world, and those who dwell in it. Leviticus 25: 23 The land, moreover, shall not be sold permanently, for the land is Mine; for you are but aliens and sojourners with Me.

I Corinthians 4: 2 … , it is required of stewards that one be found trustworthy. I Timothy 6: 7 For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either.

Luke 12: 15 Then He said to them, “Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions.” Luke 9: 25 For what is a man profited if he gains the whole world, and loses or forfeits himself?

Psalms 39: 5 Behold, You have made my days as handbreadths, And my lifetime as nothing in Your sight; Surely every man at his best is a mere breath. James 4: 14 Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away.

Work for what we need for the journey, not to accumulate wants. I Timothy 6: 8 If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content.

Hebrews 13: 5 Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, “I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you,”

IV. The desire to have more of this world’s good questions God’s promise.

Jesus promised us that He will always be with us. Hebrews 13: 5 “I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you,” Matthew 18: 20 “I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

You have what God has entrusted to your use for His glory. Matthew 25: 15 To one he gave five talents, to another, two, and to another, one, each according to his own ability; and he went on his journey.

Luke 12: 47-48 And that slave who knew his master’s will and did not get ready or act in accord with his will, will receive many lashes, 48 but the one who did not know it, and committed deeds worthy of a flogging, will receive but few. From everyone who has been given much, much will be required; and to whom they entrusted much, of him they will ask all the more.

Matthew 18: 20 “I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 6: 33 But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

A. He wrote of joy from prison B. Satan says, “Focus on the world”   B. Satan says, “Focus on the world” C. We’re just passing through earth D. Place your faith in His promise

Remember : His death was for you.