2. Joy in the Journey Living Confidently Living Courageously
Living in Unity
Living Humbly
Living Obediently
Living Carefully
Living Purposefully
Living Joyfully
TODAY Living Contentedly

3. Philippians 4:10-20
I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it.  I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.  I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.  I can do everything through him
Who gives me strength. Yet it was
good of you to share in my troubles. 

4. Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid again and again when I was in need. Not that I am looking for a gift, but I am looking for what may be credited to your account. I have received full payment and even more; I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God.  And my God will meet all your needs
according to his glorious riches in
Christ Jesus. To our God and Father
be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

5. Living Contentedly (Phil 4:10-23)
Contentedness has nothing to do with how much you have or how little you have
"contentment" = being satisfied
1 Tim.6:6 "Godliness with contentment is great gain …
and having food and
clothing, let us be content"

6. 1. The School of Contentment
Lesson #1: accept God’s control
Bill Gothard: “Contentment is realizing that God has already given me everything I need for my present happiness”
Learn to live IN SUBMISSION to the Lord
Learn to live INDEPENDENT of our circumstances

7. The School of Contentment Lesson #2: adopt God’s values
The culture we are a part of says: “Since there is no God, the purpose of existence is not to satisfy God but to satisfy ourselves. So the ultimate goal in life is the meeting of our needs”
Paul knew that the chief end of man was not to meet his own needs, but to worship and enjoy God.

8. The School of Contentment
Lesson #3: be a steward of all God gives you
Paul saw this in the Philippians and rejoiced!
Generosity and giving exerts a power that annuls the grip that money wants to have over us
“You cannot serve God and mammon”
“The love of money is the root of all evils”
Covetousness is a sin associated with both poverty and plenty

9. The School of Contentment
Lesson #4: be aware of the futility of
discontent
The more you have the more discontent you can become.
“Contentment is understanding that if I am not satisfied with what I have, I will never be satisfied with what I want” (Bill Gothard)
Discontentment is an attitude of heart that creates a negative, critical spirit, robs us of our joy, and steals our love for others. It corrodes the soul and saps our spiritual vitality.

10. The School of Contentment
Lesson #5: care for others
Contentment becomes a reality when your own concerns are eclipsed by your concern for others
Chapter 2:4 “Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others”

11. 2. The Strength for Contentment
“I can do everything” ‘I have the ability – the sufficiency’
“through Him who gives me strength” – literally: infuses strength into me - who pours power into me

12. 3. The Secret of Contentment
The secret – trust (we can rest in Him)
Matt 6:33 “Seek first … all these things will be given to you as well”
Hebrews 13:5 "Be content with whatever you have, for He said I will never leave you or forsake you."