Contenment Part 2

Luke 12:15

15 Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of

greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.”

 

Have you ever thought………

If we just had a little more money, not a lot, just enough to___(fill in the blank)_____ (vanity of pleasure Ecclesiastes 2;10,11)

 

If we could just have a simple life, with fewer gadgets, more free time, less hustle and bustle……. (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8; Ecclesiastes 7:10)

If I had a college education……….. (grief of worldly wisdom Ecclesiastes 1:12-14 vs value of practical wisdom Ecclesiastes 2:14; Ecclesiastes 7:12 )

If I were just a little prettier, or had a better body, if my eyes were only blue, if I didn‘t have gray hair….……..

If the house was just a little newer, or the living room was just a little bigger, or we just had________ like the Jone’s have.

If I could just be popular among my friends and family……. (Popularity passes away-)

Have you ever said (or thought) any of these ??? Could these signs of being discontent?

What are some causes of discontentment?

*improper expectations- Acts 8:14-24 Simon the Sorcerer

Simon was likely accustomed to being the center of attention. He in some way expected to be like the apostles and be able to impart the Holy Spirit, although he was obviously a babe in Christ. Verse 20 gives us the idea that Simon may have wanted it for monetary gain. Peter told Simon that he had no part in this matter and that he needed to repent. Simon’s expectations were improper weren’t they?

*lack of humility- Esther 6: 6-12 Haman 

 

Philippians 2:3,4

3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.  Let each of you look not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.
*Comparing yourself to others- 2Corinthians 10: 12-17 

12 For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves. But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise. 13 We, however, will not boast beyond measure, but within the limits of the sphere which God appointed us—a sphere which especially includes you. 14 For we are not overextending ourselves (as though our authority did not extend to you) for it was to you that we came with the gospel of Christ; 15 not boasting of things beyond measure, that is, in other men's labors, but having hope, that as your faith is increased, we shall be greatly enlarged by you in our sphere, 16 to preach the gospel in the regions beyond you, and not to boast in another mans sphere of accomplishment. 17 but he who glories let him glory in the Lord.

*dissatisfaction with being a simple human being? Eve- Genesis 3:1-7
 

3 Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said to the woman, “Has God indeed said, ‘You shall not eat of every tree of the garden’?” 2 And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden; 3 but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God has said, ‘You shall not eat it, nor shall you touch it, lest you die.’ 4 Then the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. 5 For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” 6 So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate. 7 Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves coverings.

Contentment: To be sufficient, to be enough to a thing, to be satisfied, willing to accept circumstances

What really makes us comfortable in this life?

Food, clothing, shelter- 1 Tim. 6:8; Hebrews 13:5,6

What are some practical ways to avoid discontentment?

 

Count your blessings; Ask yourself- WHY do you need it?; embrace humility; recognize what is enough; surround yourself with happy people; express appreciation;

Philippians 4:11-13: 11 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: 12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ[a] who strengthens me.

Luke 12;15: 15 And He said to them, “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.”


Psalms 37:3-5: 3 Trust in the Lord, and do good; Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. 4 Delight yourself also in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart. 5 Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass.

Proverbs 3:5: Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding

Proverbs 30: 7-9 : Two things I request of You (Deprive me not before I die): 8 Remove falsehood and lies far from me; Give me neither poverty nor riches—

Feed me with the food allotted to me; 9 Lest I be full and deny You, And say, “Who is the Lord?” Or lest I be poor and steal, And profane the name of my God.