The Power of Contentment

Getting Fiscally Fit
The Power of Contentment
Philippians 4:11-12

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As long as your Yearnings exceed your Earnings your life will be in a mess

Five Effects of Always Wanting More

1. More Fatigue

“Do not wear yourself out to get rich; have the wisdom to show restraint.” (Proverbs 23:4)

2. More Expenses

“When goods increase, they increase who eat them,” (Ecclesiastes 5:11a)

3. More Anxiety

“Sweet is the sleep of a laborer, whether he eats little or much, but the full stomach of the rich will not let him sleep.” (Ecclesiastes 5:12)

4. More Conflict

“Whoever is greedy for unjust gain troubles his own household,” (Proverbs 15:27a)

“But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.” (1 Timothy 6:9)

5. More Dissatisfaction

“He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income;” (Ecclesiastes 5:10)

Practicing the Power of Contentment

1. Stop Comparing yourself to others

“Not that we dare to classify or compare ourselves with some of those who are commending themselves.” (2 Corinthians 10:12 a)

“When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, 'Lord, what about this man?' Jesus said to him, 'If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!'” (John 21:21–22)

I must learn to Admire without having to Acquire

It is not wrong to desire, desires come from God. What is the problem is Uncontrolled Desires

“You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male servant, or his female servant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor’s.”
(Exodus 20:17)

2. Enjoy what you have

“Everyone also to whom God has given wealth and possessions and power to enjoy them, and to accept his lot and rejoice in his toil—this is the gift of God.” (Ecclesiastes 5:19)

“As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy.” (1 Timothy 6:17)

Money can make your life Easier but it will not ultimately make your life More Satisfying

Great question: What am I not enjoying right now?

3. Remember that life is Not About Things

“And he said to them, 'Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.'” (Luke 12:15)

• Never judge your self-worth by your Net-Worth
• Never think your value is related to your Valuables

Question: Is it possible to be wealthy and not materialistic?

Answer: Yes, but it isn’t easy

“As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.” (1 Timothy 6:17–19)

“But just as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us—see that you also excel in this grace of giving.” (2 Corinthians 8:7)

Giving is God’s Antidote to materialism

God calls us to give to Him and His Kingdom causes first not because He needs the money, but to Break The Grip of materialism in my life

4. Focus on what Will Last Forever

“as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:18)

“If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” (Colossians 3:1–2)

When it comes to finding meaning, satisfaction and contentment, who are you going to listen to?

• Madison Avenue or The Master?
• The Culture or Christ?
• The World or The Word?

“But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.” (1 Timothy 6:6–8)

The secret to contentment is finding my identity, my security and my satisfaction not in what I have, but in Whose I Am

Questions for Reflection:

• Where am I looking for my identity, my security and my satisfaction?
• Do I find myself getting caught up in the comparison trap?
• Am I currently enjoying what I do have?
• Am I living with a focus primarily on what will last forever or on things that will not satisfy?
• Is my giving helping me to break the grip of materialism in my life?