Finding Contentment in a Crazy World

2 Corinthians 11:23–27 NIV

23 Are they servants of Christ? (I am out of my mind to talk like this.) I am more. I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. 24 Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, 26 I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. 27 I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked.

Philippians 4:11–13 NIV

11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 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. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

1 Timothy 6:6–10 NIV

6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 9 Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

“Yet true religion 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 6:17–19 NIV

17 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. 18 Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 19 In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.

“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.”

The True Wealth Principle (1 Timothy 6:6)

The Empty-Handed Principle (1 Timothy 6:7; Job 1:21; Psalm 49:10-12, 16-20)

The Contentment Principle (1 Timothy 6:8; Proverbs 30:7-9)

The Dangers of Money Principle (1 Timothy 6:9-10; Matthew 6:24; Proverbs 28:20; Hebrews

13:5)

The Money Doesn’t Make You Better Principle (1 Timothy 6:17; Proverbs 22:2; Proverbs 28:11;

Proverbs 16:8)

The Money Isn’t Trustworthy Principle (1 Timothy 6:17; Proverbs 18:11; Proverbs 11:28;

Proverbs 23:5; Psalm 62:10; Ecclesiastes 5:10-11)

Your Action Steps:

1. Use your money to do good. (1 Timothy 6:18)

2. Be rich in good works and give generously to those in need. (1 Timothy 6:18; Proverbs

21:13; Proverbs 14:31; 2 Corinthians 8:2-3)

3. Always be ready to share with others. (1 Timothy 6:18; 1 Corinthians 16:2; 2 Corinthians

9:7-8; Psalm 112:9; 2 Corinthians 9:7)

The Outcomes:

1. We will store up treasures as a good foundation for the future. (1 Timothy 6:19; Matthew

6:33)

2. You will experience “real life.” (1 Timothy 6:19)