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Title: Learning Contentment
Theme: Secrets to Doing in Christ
Series: Full Measure of Thanksgiving
Philippians 4:12-13, “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.”
The Book of Ecclesiastes was written by a king whose name is associated with the word “peace.”
Solomon was famous for his wisdom.
He ruled in a city which attracted the wealth of surrounding nations and during his oversight the people of God saw the construction of the temple.
(Whose Who in the Bible) This man of wisdom understood life on this earth and wrote about his observation as he considered the vanity and vexation of this world.
He writes in Ecclesiastes 4:4, “And I saw that all labor and all achievement spring from man's envy of his neighbor.
This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.”
Most people have heard the phrase, “Keeping up with the Jones.”
Pastor Rick Warren had seen a sign that said, “Don’t worry about the Jones.
They just filed chapter 13.”
Please understand that the whole of Scripture is not against the desire to acquire good things, the problem is what the Bible calls “coveting” which is the uncontrolled desire to acquire what your neighbor has.
Today this sin is often referred to as “materialism.”
I would propose to you that advertisers have spent billions knowing mankind’s bondage to covetousness.
Just what are four Biblical truths that will enable you to enjoy the contentment the Apostle Paul knew?
Fear covetousness
The first step to learning contentment is grasping the ability to do everything in Christ’s name.
This always begins by agreeing with God on the major problems that arise through coveting.
2 Timothy 3:2 says, “For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy…” Holy Spirit illuminated Christians make a point to grasp the problems which arise from a coveting heart.
Covetousness has always been a very serious menace to mankind.
It was one of the first sins that broke out after Israel had entered the Promise Land.
(Achan, Joshua 7) It is found in the early Christian Church as well.
(Ananias and Sapphira, Acts 5) Thus there are many warnings against this life controlling sin.
(The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia) This sin is so powerful and abundant in the heart of mankind, it is addressed in the Ten Commandments.
Exodus 20:17, "You shall not covet your neighbor's house.
You shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor."
“Covet” (hamad) means to take pleasure in, to desire passionately.
This sin causes people to desire that which is destructive.
(The Complete Word Study of the Old Testament) “Covetous” (philarguros) meaning people will want more and more, bigger and bigger, better and better and they will seldom be satisfied with what they have.
(Practical Word Studies in the New Testament)
Jesus said this sin comes from the spiritual heart.
(Mark7:22-23) The Bible says it engrosses the heart.
(Ezekiel 33:31; 2 Peter 2:14) This sin is idolatry (Ephesians 5:5; Colossians 3:5) and it is not to be seen in the lives of Christians or preachers of the Word of God.
(Ephesians 5:3; Hebrews 13:5; 1 Timothy 3:3) Covetousness leads to injustice and oppression; (Proverbs 28:20) foolishness and hurtful lust; (1 Timothy 6:9) departure from the faith; (1 Timothy 6:10) intrigues people to lie; (2 Kings 5:22-25) commit murder; (Ezekiel 22:12) theft and domestic affliction.
(Proverbs 15:7) Christians are to avoid those who are guilty of coveting and even pray against it, not wanting it within their own hearts.
(1 Corinthians 5:11; Psalm 119:36) (New Topical Textbook)
Walter B. Knight powerfully presents the destructiveness of the sin of covetousness, he writes,
“Covetousness is a disease of the soul.
It is soul-shriveling, character-tarnishing and personality-dwarfing.
This sin tightens its grasp upon it victims as they grow older.
It allows men to breath, but they never truly live.
It’s victims may receive, but never give with a right motive.
It’s victims become creation’s blot, creation’s blank.”
(Knight’s Treasury)
The story has been told of an old dying pickpocket; “…whom a preacher of the Word of God went to see.
This man of God shared of the loving saving grace of Jesus Christ, yet little response came from this man bound by covetousness.
The preacher got on his knees, beside the bed of the dying pickpocket.
As he prayed, the man died.
When the preacher rose up from his knees to stand, he noticed that the pickpocket’s fingers were clutched to his pocket watch.
The sight of the glittering chain and the urge to steal from the preoccupied preacher was just too much for the dying pickpocket to resist.
Covetousness, is a disease of the spiritual heart, it tightens it’s grip upon it’s victims right at death’s door.”
(“The Dying Pickpocket,” Knight’s Treasury)
Seek Christ for cleansing and strengthening
Before a Christian can learn true contentment, he must first have a fear of covetousness, thus seeking Christ to cleanse and strengthen him.
The next step to learning contentment is to be grateful.
Ecclesiastes 5:18-20 says, “Then I realized that it is good and proper for a man to eat and drink, and to find satisfaction in his toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given him--for this is his lot.
Moreover, when God gives any man wealth and possessions, and enables him to enjoy them, to accept his lot and be happy in his work--this is a gift of God.
He seldom reflects on the days of his life, because God keeps him occupied with gladness of heart.”
Today many Christians are involved in what can be referred to as huge building projects that have no value of which a modern day Solomon would cite as being only frustration.
(The Expositors Bible Commentary) Although the highwayman traditionally demanded, “Your money or your life,” the teacher of this passage of Scripture says we can have money, pleasure, and life in Christ.
When mankind works in his own strength for his own satisfaction he lays up for himself earthly and spiritual misery.
This is what causes lethargy in approaching our work, family, life in general and especially the work of the Lord.
An un-Biblical approach to whatever mankind chooses to do sooner or later births forth an inward bitterness.
Take time to think about the person whom you and I would see as successful in athletics, business, career.
Consider someone who enjoys a hobby or has taken that great vacation or is what we would call today successful in ministry.
Think of that person who has everything set up for enjoying their marriage, children or family.
Yet, their enjoyment has been destroyed by bondage to sin.
Drug abuse, alcoholism, adultery, deception, extortion, and running from one situation to another keeps them from ever fully enjoying what they are gifted and enabled to do.
If people are not bound in the sins I just mentioned, then they spend all their time comparing themselves to others, what they do or what they have to what someone else does or has.
The reason people do not enjoy things and are discontent is because they love playing the “when and then” game.
Saying, “When I get enough money, a better job, more time off and better opportunities, then I will start serving the Lord.”
Let the Holy Spirit cleanse your heart with these questions, “How much money are you waiting for?” “What job are you waiting for?” “How much time do you need off?” “What opportunities are you waiting for?
What needs to happen before you can start being a servant to Jesus Christ by serving those He sends you to?
Christians who are emotionally and spiritually mature are able to admire without feeling the need to acquire.
They are not waiting for more money, better jobs, more time off, or better opportunities.
They are serving the Lord now with what they have.
All this is accomplished simply by seeing every opportunity you have, every good thing you have, every gift and talent you have as coming from the Lord.
All things and opportunities must be prayerfully approached with the understanding that unless the Lord gives what we need, opens doors and provides enablement, there is no contentment.
When Christians accept their identity, their position in life, and their work with joyfulness, they do not spend their days reflecting on what could have been.
They are occupied with a gladness of heart.
I once knew a Christian man who had a somewhat key position at his work place and was not told that his position would soon be reduced to what we would call demeaning.
On many occasions he would do work that is very hard, dirty and demeaning.
The boss came to him and apologized for not letting him know ahead of time that this would happen.
The man doing the demeaning work said, “I am just glad to have a job.”
He not only said it, but lived it for full two years.
Whenever he had to do the dirty job, work that demeaning position, he would work as serving Christ.
Others who watched him interceded for him by making sure he got a raise several times.
After a season of testing, the Lord got him a better job and for many years now he has been fulfilling his calling.
He writes, “It is a daily battle, fighting the battles of the Lord.
Daily, one must count his blessings, make a point to treat each thing received, every Spiritual gift exercised and every door of opportunity as coming from the Lord.
When my focus is off, I become frustrated, easily angered, and mostly unproductive.
When I allow Jesus Christ to set my thinking and heart aright before God, gladness of service to Him is restored, my heart occupied with vision and sure hope of His rewards abound in me.” (Author Wants No Credit)
Abraham, Job, Solomon and David had to learn contentment before they could be used of God for His purposes and so will every child of God.
Finding contentment in generosity
When gratefulness occupies the spiritual heart it opens the door to finding contentment in generosity. 1 Timothy 6:17-18 says, “Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.
Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.”
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