Contentment
Notes
Transcript
Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, “I will never desert you, nor will I ever abandon you,”
so that we confidently say, “The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid. What will man do to me?”
Contentment, or to be content— what is it?
Contentment, or to be content— what is it?
Noun: Satisfied...
Verb:
1. to appease the desires of
2. to limit (oneself) in requirements, desires, or actions
To Be Content is to limit oneself in requirements, desires, or actions, and thus be satisfied
To Be Content is to limit oneself in requirements, desires, or actions, and thus be satisfied
The Enemies of Contentment
The Enemies of Contentment
What is it that keeps us from being content?
Bitterness from circumstances, Job
Bitterness from circumstances, Job
Then Job replied to the Lord:
“I know that you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted.
You asked, ‘Who is this that obscures my plans without knowledge?’ Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know.
“You said, ‘Listen now, and I will speak; I will question you, and you shall answer me.’
My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you.
Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes.”
A song of ascents. Of David.
My heart is not proud, Lord, my eyes are not haughty; I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me.
But I have calmed and quieted myself, I am like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child I am content.
Israel, put your hope in the Lord both now and forevermore.
Coveting
Coveting
“You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.”
Love of Money
Love of Money
Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”
Coveting and Love of money are considered synonyms in the Greek, coveting being more general, and love of money more specific. But why do we love money? It gives us whatever we want.
As Paul says to Timothy...
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.
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.
Surely, the love of money/covetousness is an enemy of contentment. They are opposite one another in Hebrews 13, and here in 1 Timothy 6. Look back at the preceding verses.
But godliness with contentment is great gain.
For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.
But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.
Love of money and covetousness is perhaps the primary enemy of contentment for most people. Paul warned us that this character flaw would be growing as the end draws near.
But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days.
People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy,
without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good,
treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God—
having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.
Doesn’t this describe our society? And sadly, doesn’t it too often describe us who are believers?
Our culture is built upon sexual immorality and covetousness
Our culture is built upon sexual immorality and covetousness
Which isn’t that different than the culture of the world since sin entered it.
Which is why the author of Hebrews has the commands, the exhortations, found in chapter 13 that we looked at last week and this week. They are often tied together.
But now I am writing to you that you must not associate with anyone who claims to be a brother or sister but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or slanderer, a drunkard or swindler. Do not even eat with such people.
Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed.
But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people.
Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.
For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
Sexual immorality and the love of money/covetousness wage war against our souls, against our spiritual well-being! Hence the warnings over and over in the scriptures.
Jesus also had much to say about the love of money and our spiritual well-being.
Remember the rich young ruler?
Just then a man came up to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?”
“Why do you ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, keep the commandments.”
“Which ones?” he inquired. Jesus replied, “ ‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony,
honor your father and mother,’ and ‘love your neighbor as yourself.’”
“All these I have kept,” the young man said. “What do I still lack?”
Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.
Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly I tell you, it is hard for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven.
Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”
When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, “Who then can be saved?”
Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
In that context, Jesus shared perspective to help his disciples with contentment...
Peter answered him, “We have left everything to follow you! What then will there be for us?”
Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.
But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first.
Mark was more specific
“Truly I tell you,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel
will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age: homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—along with persecutions—and in the age to come eternal life.
But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”
Perspective is the foundation of contentment
Perspective is the foundation of contentment
Perspective 1: What is God doing now?
Perspective 1: What is God doing now?
Beyond what I see, what is God doing?
Perspective 2: What is God doing in the future?
Perspective 2: What is God doing in the future?
I worry about what will be, but what has God promised will be?
Jesus shared more about perspective in Matthew 6.
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.
But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.
Perspectives contrasted: Money, vs. Eternal Treasure
Perspectives contrasted: Money, vs. Eternal Treasure
And that is what the author of Hebrews is hoping to help us with. our perspective...
Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”
Perspective: God is with me!!
Perspective: God is with me!!
“I will not, never leave you, and no way, not, never will I forsake you.”
“I will not, never leave you, and no way, not, never will I forsake you.”
Jacob - Gen 28.15
I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.”
When separated from family, going to a place he did not know, without anything to his name
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”
The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”
To Israel when they were losing their leader, Moses, and about to face enemies, people around them who would be against them
No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.
To Joshua when he had to take leadership of a stubborn, stiff-necked Israel, people who had previously tried to stone him. His own People opposing him
David to Solomon when undertaking a huge task
David also said to Solomon his son, “Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you until all the work for the service of the temple of the Lord is finished.
Solomon in good times reminding the people...
May the Lord our God be with us as he was with our ancestors; may he never leave us nor forsake us.
the prophets, like Isaiah
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
“The poor and needy search for water, but there is none; their tongues are parched with thirst. But I the Lord will answer them; I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them.
When Israel was being overrun, and persecuted by enemies. In the context he was pointing ahead...
I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.
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 all this through him who gives me strength.
And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.
So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?”
a quote of Psalm 118:6 “The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?”
Because God is with me, I have Confidence!
Because God is with me, I have Confidence!
Confidence: trust in someone or something with a high degree of certainty!
Because God is with me, The Lord is my helper!
Because God is with me, The Lord is my helper!
strength - Isaiah 40:31 “but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
wisdom - James 1:5 “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”
If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.
needs - Philippians 4:19 “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.”
And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.
hope - Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
vindication when facing discouragement from attacks - Psalm 37:5–6 “Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun.”
Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this:
He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun.
blessing - 1 Peter 4.12-16
Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.
But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.
If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.
If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler.
However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.
Praise and glory at the proper time
In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.
These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.
God’s glory
Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul.
Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.
Because God is with me, what can mere mortals do to me?
Because God is with me, what can mere mortals do to me?
The feelings with which Chrysostom went into his first and second exile, he well describes in a letter to Bishop Cyriacus:
“When I was driven from the city, I felt no anxiety, but said to myself: If the empress wishes to banish me, let her do so; ‘the earth is the Lord’s.’
“If she wants to have me sawn asunder, I have Isaiah for an example. If she wants me to be drowned in the ocean, I think of Jonah.
“If I am to be thrown into the fire, the three men in the furnace suffered the same. If cast before wild beasts, I remember Daniel in the lion’s den.
“If she wants me to be stoned, I have before me Stephen, the first martyr. If she demands my head, let her do so; John the Baptist shines before me.
“Naked I came from my mother’s womb, naked shall I leave this world. Paul reminds me, ‘If I still pleased men, I would not be the servant of Christ.’ ”
Philip Schaff, “Prolegomena: The Life and Work of St. John Chrysostom,” in Saint Chrysostom: On the Priesthood, Ascetic Treatises, Select Homilies and Letters, Homilies on the Statues, ed. Philip Schaff, vol. 9, A Select Library of the Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers of the Christian Church, First Series (New York: Christian Literature Company, 1889), 14.
What about me?
What about me?
But godliness with contentment is great gain.
For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.
But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.
Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”
So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?”
Facing the unknown?
Facing opposition from others?
Facing opposition from friends/family?
Facing trying times like Job, or Israel?
Facing good times, times of plenty?
Facing times of want/need?
What hope do you find from the perspective:
“God said he would not, never leave me. God said he would no way, not, never forsake me.”
What is God doing?
loved one suffering - God giving me opportunity to show his love and care to another, and learn more about how God loves and cares for us when we are helpless.
We are suffering - God is with me. How has he given me strength thus far? How has he promised relief? What opportunities is He giving me?
