Contentment
Notes
Transcript
v. 3:
One who would teach a false gospel is anything but godly. Such a person will never be content, and will always want more.
vv. 4-5:
There are many characteristics that are typical of false teachers.
They are:
prideful
ignorant
argumentative
covetous
angry
suspicious
manipulative
liars
greedy
These are all pretty self explanatory, so we won’t go over them all one-by-one.
It is enough to know that we are told not to associate with such people.
They are dangerous, and will put you in danger of corruption if you do not stay away from them.
Pride and greed are at the center of everything they do.
They always want more, and you are expendable in their quest for fame and fortune.
v. 6:
It is true that we live in a world of high pressure sales.
We have an ever-increasing array of technology that puts massive amounts of information and entertainment in the palm of our hand.
Our world now revolves around increasing ease and comfort, and the Christian virtue of contentment is becoming a rare commodity.
All of this makes it very easy for the false teacher to corrupt people with prosperity teaching.
There is even a widespread false teaching among born-again Christians that material prosperity is a sign of spirituality and God’s approval on your lifestyle.
The popularity of this teaching is understandable, since wealth is what our sin-depraved minds would naturally desire.
However, If the purpose of our prayer and service is financial gain, then we are in opposition to the Word of God.
If the purpose of our prayer and service is financial gain, we are in opposition to God.
If the purpose of our prayer and service is financial gain, we are in opposition to God.
1 Timothy 6:9-10
1 Timothy 6:9-10
But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
Instead of a blessing, however, such affluence (if it comes) should be regarded as a testing, for Jesus said: “To whom much is given, from him much will be required”
Those whom wealth has been given, should regard it as a test.
Those whom wealth has been given, should regard it as a test.
Luke 12:48
Luke 12:48
But he who did not know, yet committed things deserving of stripes, shall be beaten with few. For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more.
Paul was perhaps the most faithful and fruitful Christian who ever lived, yet he died penniless in a Roman prison.
Paul died penniless in a Roman prison, but he was content.
Paul died penniless in a Roman prison, but he was content.
Philippians 4:11-12
Philippians 4:11-12
Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: 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.
Material gain neither produces nor denotes godliness; rather, godliness itself is the gain, if it is accompanied by contentment in Christ.
It is no wonder that we are told to withdraw ourselves from those who attempt to use an air of godliness as a means of financial gain.
Our true riches will be realized in heaven, not in our earthly possessions.
Our true riches will be realized in heaven, not in our earthly possessions.
Matthew 6:19-21
Matthew 6:19-21
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Even the poorest believer can acquire riches in heaven, where it really counts. In the meantime we should learn contentment.
We should learn contentment, no matter our situation.
We should learn contentment, no matter our situation.
Hebrews 13:5
Hebrews 13:5
Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
v. 7:
We are born with nothing and we leave with nothing. As the old adage goes “you can’t take it with you.”
We are born with nothing and we leave with nothing.
We are born with nothing and we leave with nothing.
Job 1:21
Job 1:21
And he said: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, And naked shall I return there. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; Blessed be the name of the Lord.”
Ecclesiastes 5:15
Ecclesiastes 5:15
As he came from his mother’s womb, naked shall he return, To go as he came; And he shall take nothing from his labor Which he may carry away in his hand.
v. 8:
In our modern world of luxury our concept of “needs” has been skewed.
We confuse needs with wants, and have come to believe that we cannot live without many things which are not truly necessary.
But what do we really need?
If we have food and clothing, then our needs have been met.
Why do we worry ourselves so much about other things?
We can be sure that the Lord will take care of our needs.
We can be sure that the Lord will take care of our needs.
Matthew 6:28-30
Matthew 6:28-30
“So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?
vv. 9-10:
Contentment is an attitude, a lifestyle, and a form of godliness.
It is something that we should constantly strive for.
When we lack contentment, we put ourselves in grave danger, both earthly and spiritually.
How many people have found themselves smothered under an insurmountable pile of debt due to lack of contentment?
How many people have lost their families in a quest for more money, which left no time for family?
How many people have sold their soul for the pursuit of money, leaving no time for the Lord?
This lack of contentment breeds greed and all kinds of evil.
It is not the money that is evil. Money is but a tool that we use in our life. Like any other tool, it is neither good nor evil. What matters is how we use it.
If money becomes our love, then Jesus cannot be our love. We cannot serve two masters.
If money becomes our love, then Jesus cannot be our love. We cannot serve two masters.
Luke 16:13
Luke 16:13
“No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.”
The love of money has caused far too many people stray from the faith.
It is a pursuit that has led many down a trail of sorrows.
It is a trap that is all too easy to become ensnared in.
It usually starts innocently enough. A little indulgence here and there.
There’s nothing inherently wrong with treating yourself every once in a while, but it is easy to get used to it.
You begin to want more and more, yet satisfaction never comes.
After a temporary appeasement, the desires return. It is a thirst that can never be satiated.
v. 11:
We are warned once again to flee these things.
That is why we must always be on guard, and keep our priorities straight.
Our priority should always be to seek God first.
Our priority should always be to seek God first.
Matthew 6:33
Matthew 6:33
But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
Our pursuit should be after personal righteousness and godliness, as well as stronger faith, more genuine love for others, more patience, and true meekness.
In short, we should focus on the Lord and pursue His righteousness, and let Him worry about our needs.
He knows better than we do.
