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THE CONTENTED LIFE

1 Timothy 6:6-10, 17-19

• What Friends, Relatives, Associates and Neighbors do I need to invite to join me for Easter Weekend Services?
  • “85% of people invited to attend an Easter will attend if they are invited by a trusted friend or family member.” (Recent Poll)
• “True godliness with contentment is great wealth. After all, we didn't bring anything with us when we came into the world, and we certainly cannot carry anything with us when we die. So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content. But people who long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is at the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.” (1 Timothy 6:6-10)
• What makes me feel Content, and what does it mean to be Content?
• To be Content means: 1) to be mentally or emotionally satisfied with things as they are, and 2) assenting to or willing to accept circumstances, a proposed course of action, etc. (Dictionary.com)
• “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.” (Ecclesiastes 5:19)
• Happiness is not getting what we want; happiness is enjoying what we have.
• “Who is rich? Those who are happy with their portion.” (Rabbi Ben Zoma)
• What value does Contentment bring to our lives?
• The lives of “contented people” are often characterized by joy, peace, less stress, healthy relationships, etc.
• What does it take to live a Contented life?

A “Contented Life” Comes From:
OBEYING GOD’S TEACHINGS ABOUT POSSESSIONS

• There are sometimes false teachings about money in “Christian” circles.
• False teaching about money can be found in the Prosperity Gospel.
  • This philosophy is that “we are to give to get rich,” and that “we shouldn’t be content until we become rich.”
  • “True godliness with contentment is great wealth.” (1 Timothy 6:6)
  • The problem with this teaching is that Jesus wasn’t rich (Luke 9:58, Mark 11:2-3, Matthew 22:15).
  • The Bible does say that God will bless His people when we are faithful to give (Proverbs 11:24-25, Malachi 3:10, Luke 6:38, 2 Corinthians 9:6); but our objective in life should not be to become rich.
• False teaching about money can be found in the Possiveness Gospel.
  • This philosophy says that leaders in the Church shouldn’t talk about giving, tithing or money because “the best way to get rich is not to give.”
  • The problem with this philosophy is that Jesus and other Biblical characters (Solomon, Paul, etc.) taught frequently about giving.
  • Jesus – “You should tithe . . .” (Matthew 23:23)
  • Jesus - “Give and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full . . .
  • The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.” (Luke 6:38)
  • Jesus – “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” (Acts 20:35)
  • Jesus - "Anyone who listens to My teaching and obeys Me is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won't collapse, because it is built on rock. But anyone who hears My teaching and ignores it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will fall with a mighty crash." (Matthew 7:24-27)
• Both “false gospels” pertaining to money are based on “greed” or a “covetousness” mindset.
• “Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God’s people.” (Ephesians 5:3)
• “Don’t be greedy for the good things of this life, for that is idolatry.” (Colossians 3:5)

A “Contented Life” Comes From:
LEARNING THE SECRET OF CONTENTMENT

• Paul – “I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach, or empty, with plenty of little.” (Philippians 4:11-12)
• We can have contentment when we have Economic Plenty.
  • The Lord wants us to utilize and enjoy what He has blessed us with.
  • God has always blessed some people with the ability to make money.
  • “Remember the LORD your God, for it is He who gives you the ability to produce wealth.” (Deuteronomy 8:18)
  • “It is a good thing to receive wealth form God and the good health to enjoy it.” (Ecclesiastes 5:19)
  • The Lord wants us to utilize and enjoy what He has blessed us with.
  • The truth is we are all “richer” than we think that we are.
  • How much money would I have to have to make me feel “rich”?
  • If the Lord has blessed us with more than we need we are rich.
• We can have contentment when we have Economic Poverty.
  • Paul was in prison when he wrote the Book of Philippians, and so he had no money to spend, no house to live in, no means of transportation, etc.
  • If we have the Lord in our lives we can be “content” regardless of the circumstances.
  • “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13 NKJV)

A “Contented Life” Comes From:
DOING THE RIGHT THING

• Jesus – “How hard it is for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God!” (Luke 18:24)
• Being financially wealthy can be a spiritual disadvantage to us because it Makes it Harder for us to Depend on God.
  • Every Non-wealthy Christian - “Our father in heaven . . . give us today our daily bread.” (Matthew 6:9, 12)
• Being financially wealthy can be a spiritual disadvantage to us because it Distracts us from True Priorities in Life.
  • Jesus – “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need.” (Matthew 6:33)
• Being financially wealthy can be a spiritual disadvantage to us because it Gives us a Greater Responsibility in the Kingdom of God.
• The Lord blesses people financially so they can bless others with their finances.
  • Jesus – “Much is required from those to whom much is given, and much more is required from those to whom much more is given.” (Luke 12:48)
  • “Tell those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which will soon be gone. But their trust should be in the living God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment. Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and should give generously to those in need, always being ready to share with others whatever God has given them. By doing this they will be storing up their treasure as a good foundation for the future so that they may take hold of real life.” (1 Timothy 6:17-19)
• “Don’t love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, ‘I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.’ So we can say with confidence, ‘The Lord is my helper, so I will have no fear.” (Hebrews 13:5-6)
• What is the Lord communicating to me through this message and “The Good Life” series, and what am I going to do to respond to His instructions?”