2. Life Principle 13 Learning The Secret of Contentment – Part 2

3. Review of Part 1 contentment study from last time

4. Contentment means to live the satisfied life. That is, satisfied with who you are, what you have, what you do, and with your relationships. It is not blind to the fact that things could be better, only the recognition that those changes would not make you ultimately more content.

5. Humans are wired to ignore their blessings and to be preoccupied with that in their lives which is lacking. The problem is that something is always missing. As soon as we get what we thought we had to have, another something takes its place. It is like trying to fill a bucket with holes.

6. If you were to scan all of Scripture, would you find one key verse that explains how this contentment is even possible? Answer: Yes!

7. There exists a trilogy on contentment from three of Paul’s letters which will be the basis of our study  Philippians 4.10-13  I Timothy 6.6-10  I Corinthians 7.17-24

8. 10 Keys for unlocking the mystery of contentment in your life

9. Understand that true contentment must be learned. 11 Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. Philippians 4

10. How much one has does not determine one’s level of contentment 12 I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. Philippians 4

11. Contentment literally takes unleashing the power of God 13 I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. Philippians 4 Apparently, it takes the power of God for a person to learn and practice the secret of contentment.

12. Keys 4-7 are from I Timothy 6.6-10 Paul has been talking about false teachers and how they use religion to get rich. In this section, he shares that you can get true riches through true faith but only if accompanied by contentment.

13. 6 But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment. 7 For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either. 8 If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content. 9 But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction. 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.

14. Putting God first with contentment is the greatest of all treasure. (6) 6 But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment. I Timothy 6

15. 19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 “But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; 21 for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6

16. Putting wealth first is temporal and not transferable to the next life. 7 For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either. I Timothy 6

17. 21 He said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, And naked I shall return there. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.” Job 1

18. 16 Do not be afraid when a man becomes rich, When the glory of his house is increased; 17 For when he dies he will carry nothing away; His glory will not descend after him. Psalm 49 20 “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your soul is required of you; and now who will own what you have prepared?’ 21 “So is the man who stores up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.” Luke 12

19. Q: Is Paul saying that the false teachers really believed they could take it to the next life when they died? A: No, only that from observation, that’s how it looks. Otherwise why would you do it?

20. The base line for contentment is food and shelter. Nothing beyond these are necessary. 8 If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content. I Timothy 6

21. You have everything you need right now to be content. If you are not content right now, it is not because of your circumstances, rather it is because of ________________.  Entitlement  Being ungrateful  Thinking stuff brings contentment

22. Gratitude, a BFF of contentment, always has a subtle if not explosive excitement for the blessings that surround us. Here are examples: Wow, no one in our family has a major illness Wow, the sewer system is not backed up Wow, my transmission didn’t go out on the 91 Wow, my spouse is not leaving me for another Wow, God loves me!

23. The love of money, not money is the roadmap to ruin (9-10) 9 But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction. 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. I Timothy 6

24. The Word of God and practical observation bears out that when one opts for financial gain over God first, that desire becomes a black hole that sucks one into serious ruin with eternal consequences. (9-10) Furthermore, loving money is a disastrous alternative, producing an infectious faith and immense grief. (10)

25. Paul warns that the love of money has caused some to leave the faith and start a painful downward spiral. So the question, “Is it worse or different for the Christian than an atheist who puts money first in their life?”

26. Keys 8-10 are from I Corinthians 7.17-24 Paul had been asked by the Corinthians to answer specific questions. One of them was pertaining to marriage. In a parenthetical section Paul unfold principles of contentment.

27. Paul was asked to address issues pertaining to marriage, including:  Whether sexual relations in marriage is obligatory  Whether the single should marry  When is it appropriate for the married to divorce  A father’s responsibility to his unmarried daughter(s)

28. In order to deal with their questions, Paul interjects the issue of contentment over all the major issues of life. 1. Money 2. Marital status 3. Sex 4. Career 5. Social status

29. The script that runs through all humans is that enough is never enough. Most people are unsatisfied with their present situation. Generally we try to change our circumstances to lessen the level of discontentment. Although it generally works for a nano second, soon afterwards we are unhappy with the change or now looking to change something else in the conquest of contentment.

30. 17 Only, as the Lord has assigned to each one, as God has called each, in this manner let him walk. And so I direct in all the churches. 18 Was any man called when he was already circumcised? He is not to become uncircumcised. Has anyone been called in uncircumcision? He is not to be circumcised. 19 Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but what matters is the keeping of the commandments of God.

31. 20 Each man must remain in that condition in which he was called. 21 Were you called while a slave (poor)? Do not worry about it; but if you are able also to become free (increase your pay), rather do that. 23 You were bought with a price; do not become slaves of men (which discontentment can bring). 24 Brethren, each one is to remain (be content) with God in that condition in which he was called.

32. Be content with your life circumstances the day Christ found you. (17- 20)

33. A preoccupation with changing my external circumstances The married wants to be single The single wants to get married The slave want to be free The Jew wants to be uncircumcised The gentiles wants to circumcised

34. If you can improve your life circumstances than do it, but never for the sake of contentment. (21) 21 Were you called while a slave ? Do not worry about it; but if you are able also to become free, rather do that.

35. Question: Isn’t contentment incompatible with personal improvement? Answer: No! Self improvement is great, do it! But never do it for the sake of reaching a level of contentment that you are seeking. Why? Because you will never reach it and discontentment is poisonous to your spiritual growth.

36. The constant mindset that changing my outward circumstances to obtain contentment is a form of slavery. (23) 23 You were bought with a price; do not become slaves of men

37.  Q: How can discontentment lead to slavery?  A: A truly contented person is free. That is they are not susceptible to doing things that puts them into bondage.  Today, a major application of this is financial bondage. Running up credit cards, buying that which we do need or cannot afford has enslaved many.