The Joy of Contentment

1. Read: Philippians 4:10-13

2. About the Text:

1) Paul told Timothy, “Godliness with contentment is great gain” (1 Timothy 6:6).

2) Many people today do not live lives of contentment.

3) They are distracted by ambitions for wealth, possessions, beauty, or popularity.

4) If you wonder whether this is true, then just watch any “reality” show on television.

5) Those shows are based upon an lack of contentment in people’s lives.

6) They entertain because the viewers are not content with their life.

7) Are you content with your life?

8) Let’s note a few things this morning regarding Christian contentment.

3. Ref. to S, T, P, O, and A.

1. There are some who have the idea that contentment is conceit.

1) They may look at their beauty, brains, or brawn and pronounce themselves “better.”

2) These see themselves as “above” those around them.

3) With that they are immensely satisfied.

4) They have a “contentment,” but it is not a Christian contentment.

2. The Christian knows that contentment can never be conceit because…

1) God made all equal. Acts 17:26 – “from one blood.”

2) We are not to think of ourselves higher than others. Romans 12:3

3) Jesus died for all men regardless of beauty, brains, or brawn. (1 John 4:14).

4) There is no glory before God in men’s (and women’s) imaginations (1 Cor.1:26-29).

1. Some think that contentment is being lazy.

1) Some fail to work and provide for their families.

2) Some fail to work and use what they earn to give to the poor.

3) Some are never motivated to work for the Lord.

4) These have a poverty, but it is of the mind, soul, and spirit.

2. The Christian knows that contentment can never be laziness because…

1) God wants us to work to provide for our own (2 Thess.3:10, 12; 1 Timothy 5:8).

2) God wants us to work to provide for the poor (Eph.4:28).

3) God wants us to work within his vineyard/kingdom (Matt.9:37, 38; 1 Cor.3:9).

1. Some think that contentment is being satisfied with one’s personal salvation.

1) Some decide that getting their “ticket punched” is all that is necessary to be saved.

2) Some decide that they have done enough for the church and simply quit participating.

3) Some decide that they are saved regardless of how much or how little they work.

2. The Christian knows that contentment can never be self-satisfaction because…

1) God expects us to assemble with the saints regularly (Heb.10:25).

2) We can never do enough in this life to earn our own salvation (Ephesians 2:8-10).

3) We must constantly examine ourselves to see if we are in the faith (2 Cor.13:5).

1. Many today do not live within their means.

1) This is specially a problem in the United States.

2) The desire to have more things and better things is great.

3) We must “keep up with the Jones.”

4) As a result we max out multiple credit cards.

5) Obtain great amounts of debt which we cannot pay back.

6) I don’t think there is any one of us that is not guilty of this to some degree.

2. In contrast, the Christian knows that contentment means living within one’s means.

1) This is what Paul spoke of to Timothy in 1 Timothy 6:6-10.

2) It is what Jesus spoke of in Matthew 6:19-34

3) We need to be free from the love of money (Hebrews 13:5, 6).

3. This attitude is perhaps best expressed in Jesus words, “Give us this day our daily bread” (Matt.6:11)

1. There are those who are never happy regardless of their situation.

1) There are those who are millionaires, even billionaires who are not content.

2) Some in the middle class are constantly climbing the corporate ladder.

3) Some are poor and miserable.

4) Others are poor and happy.

5) What is the difference?

6) Learning to be thankful for what one has.

7) Don’t focus on what you don’t have; focus on what you do have.

2. We must be thankful for what we have.

1) “In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Timothy 5:18).

2) “Giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 5:20).

3) Philippians 4:11, 12.

1. There are those who simply cannot comprehend basing contentment upon a spiritual premise.

1) We believe that if we don’t have stuff then we can’t be content.

2) In our society material possessions are the cause of much strife and envy.

a. Personal Lawsuits

b. Divorce

c. Inheritance disputes.

d. Custody battles are often fought due to the money.

3) All of these things are due to an improper focus upon the value of physical things.

2. It is not in the physical that we find contentment, but the spiritual.

1) Jesus gave up riches and became poor so that we might be rich (2 Cor.8:9).

2) Trust in God brings contentment, not trust in self or possessions (1 Timothy 6:17-19).

3) Proverbs 3:5-6.

1. Contentment brings Joy when it is …

1) Not Proud

2) Not Lazy

3) Not Self-satisfied

4) Lives within one’s means.

5) Thankful for What One Has

6) Peacefulness assurance of salvation

2. Invitation