Living a Life of Contentment Philippians 4:10-13

Introductory Thoughts Many in our world, perhaps even some here tonight, are suffering from a dreadful disease A disease that is robbing us from true happiness A disease that is breaking families apart A disease that is destroying friendships A disease that is equivalent to greed The disease that I’m talking about is the disease of discontentment Story of the Russian couple

Introductory Thoughts I am really content… Until I go online to bestbuy.com Until my neighbor gets a new car Until I go to Kohl’s and see the new clothes Until I visit my sister’s cabin on the river The bottom line is I’m content until I start comparing my life with others around me It is a rare person who, when his cup is frequently overflowing, can give thanks to God instead of complaining about the limited size of his cup

Introductory Thoughts Contentment in the New Testament has several meanings Enough Sufficient Freedom or independence from our worry about our needs being met True contentment is not finding the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, but submitting to the foot of the cross that Jesus bore for our sin

What Christian Contentment is Not Christian Contentment is not conceit They may look at their beauty, brains, or brawn and pronounce themselves "better" than others These see themselves as "above" those around them And with that they are immensely satisfied Christians know that contentment can never be conceit because… God made all equal - Acts 10:34 We are not to think of ourselves higher than others – Romans 12:3 Jesus died for all men regardless of beauty, brains, or brawn – 1 John 4:14 There is no glory before God in man's imaginations – 1 Corinthians 1:26-29

What Christian Contentment is Not Christian Contentment is not laziness Some fail to work and provide for their families Some fail to work and use what they earn to give to the poor Some are never motivated to work for the Lord These have a poverty, but it is of the mind, soul, and spirit Christians know that contentment can never be laziness because… God wants us to work to provide for our own – 2 Thessalonians 3:10-12 – 1 Timothy 5:8 God wants us to work to provide for the poor – Ephesians 4:28 God wants us to work within his vineyard/kingdom – Matthew 9: Corinthians 3:9

What Christian Contentment is Not Christian Contentment is not being self-satisfied Some think that contentment is being satisfied with one's personal salvation Some decide that getting their "ticket punched" is all that is necessary to be saved Some decide that they have done enough for the church and simply quit participating in the work and activities of the church Some decide that they are saved regardless of how much or how little they work for the Lord

What Christian Contentment is Not Christians know that contentment can never be self- satisfaction because… God expects us to assemble with the saints regularly – Hebrews 10:25 We can never do enough in this life to earn our own salvation - Ephesians 2:8 We must constantly examine ourselves to see if we are in the faith – 2 Corinthians 13:5

What Christian Contentment Is Christian Contentment is living within one’s means Many today do not live within their means This is especially a problem in the United States The desire to have more things and better things is great We must "keep up with the Jones” As a result we max out multiple credit cards Christians know that contentment means living within our means Paul spoke of this in 1 Timothy 6:6-12 Jesus spoke of this in Matthew 6:19-34 Perhaps this is best expressed in Jesus’ words in Matthew 6:11

What Christian Contentment Is Christian Contentment is being happy regardless of one’s situation Some are never happy regardless of their situation Many millionaires and billionaires are not happy Christians know that one can be content regardless of one's personal situation Philippians 4:11-12 Acts 16:25 1 Corinthians 4:11-12

What Christian Contentment Is Christian Contentment is the peaceful assurance of salvation There are those who simply cannot comprehend basing contentment upon a spiritual premise The physical has us so trapped that we believe that if we don't have stuff then we can't be content Christians know that it is not in the physical that we find contentment, but the spiritual Jesus gave up riches and became poor so that we might be rich – 2 Corinthians 8:9 Jesus taught us to value the spiritual, not physical – Matthew 6:19-24 It is godliness that brings contentment – 1 Timothy 6:6

5 Keys to Living a Life of Contentment Philippians 4:10-23 By Caring for others – Verse 10 Galatians 6:1-10 shows how to truly care for others Allow your circumstances to teach – Verses Learned – Verse 11 Know – Verse 12 Draw your strength from Christ – Verse 13 Christ is the true source for strength John 15:5 – Matthew 19:26 – 2 Corinthians 3:5

5 Keys to Living a Life of Contentment Philippians 4:10-20 Cooperation and Appreciation – Verses Cooperation through generosity The Philippian brethren were much like the Macedonians of 2 Corinthians 8:5 Paul expressed his appreciation to the Philippian brethren Have confidence in God’s provisions – Verses Psalm 23:1 – “I Shall Not Want” Every good gift comes from God – James 1:17 God supplies our need, not our greeds His shovel is larger than ours

Closing Thoughts William Randolph Hearst Collector of rare artwork Set out to find the rarest of rare Hired an agent to find this rare piece Months went by and the piece was found Hurst was willing to pay whatever the asking price was, agent told him it was found in his collection Moral of this story – Many times what we seek is already in our possession

Closing Thoughts Paul Azinger Professional Golfer Diagnosed with cancer at age 33 Tells of his fear of dying, then reality set in. I’m going to die anyway Everything he accomplished in golf became meaningless His attitude changed when Larry Moody spoke these words “Zinger, we’re not in the land of the living going to the land of the dying. We’re in the land of the dying trying to get to the land of the living”