A Life of Contentment

A Life of Contentment

Introduction: Nixon Presidential Library in Yorba Linda, CA

Nixon’s Birthplace

Nixon’s Burial Place

Simple beginnings: Richard Milhous Nixon was born in a home that was built by his farther on 8.2 acres of land. It was a kit home from somewhere in the Midwest that was bought with less than $1,000. The farm was built on sloped land that didn’t hold water. The grove failed.

Nixon was buried within 50 yards of where he was born. It tells the story of the beginning and the end. But what a life in-between.

A meteoric rise in politics eventually becoming president in the 60’s. I was alive at the time and remember some of what he accomplished during his presidency.

He began the EPA to clean up pollution.

He was an unparalleled statesman who strengthened ties with nations, but especially the Soviet Union and China. He took bold moves to withdraw from Vietnam with honor.

Mostly, I didn’t remember all of that. I remember the end where he faded from public life after the disgrace of Watergate.

How can you and I ensure that we don’t live our lives for naught?

That is the message for today. Whether you have little or much, the timeless lessons from Paul to Timothy are invaluable.

Be Content with Little (2-10)

The final chapter of the book ends much like the beginning. Beware of false teachers who believe and teach lies.

The difference is that Paul now tells us the core of their issue. They were using religion for financial gain.

Know some religious leaders like that?

1 Timothy 6:6–9 NIV

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. 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.

1 Timothy 6:6–8 NIV

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.

1 Tim 6:

“If we have food and clothing”

The Mediterranean diet is making some headlines today for its health benefits. But that diet would have only been available to the wealthy. Everyday people ate bread, a little wine, perhaps a salted fish or meat. Vegetables only in season. Tomatoes, corn, squash, and potatoes were introduced to the region in the 16th century.

Matthew 6:25 NIV

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?

We need to use the word “no” and “enough” a little more.

Enough is a great word. It means that what i have is sufficient for today’s needs.

When we have enough it is easy to say “no” when faced with the temptation to overdo it.

1 Timothy 6:10 NIV

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.

Notice that it is the “love of money” and not money itself. Money is not inherently bad. But it can become an idol that is worshipped.

“Sometimes, those who have the least, love money the most.” - Richard Foster

1 Timothy 6:6 NIV

But godliness with contentment is great gain.

I have had the privilege of speaking in multiple third-world countries. Wherever I go, I am amazed at the joy of children who seem to have nothing, but live with joy as if they have everything.

False teachers attach dollars to the Gospel. Paul doesn’t want us to throw out the Gospel. But he does want to cut the artificial tie that had been created between money and the message.

Jesus said that you can serve either God or money - not both.

1 Timothy 6:6 NIV

But godliness with contentment is great gain.

Invest in Your Future (11-16)

Pursue the right thing. God cares more about your character than your career or the car you drive.

1 Timothy 6:6 NIV

But godliness with contentment is great gain.

1 Timothy 6:11 NIV

But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.

God cares more about your character than your career or the car you drive.

Galatians 5:22–23 NIV

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Be Thou My Vision

1 time 6 11

Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise Thou mine Inheritance, now and always Thou and Thou only, first in my heart High King of Heaven, my Treasure Thou art

The most impactful thing that I do is to pray for this every day. Before I start to pray for others, I pray my daily prayer. Part of which goes like this...

Righteousnes

Holy Spirit, power and presence of God, fill me with yourself and produce your fruit in my life; love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control.

Repetition and Intention allows me to take small steps over time. Big leaps usually are followed by big flops. But small steps over time make a difference.

Investing is like that. Few of us will ever inherit a windfall or win the lottery. Wealth is not created in a day. Instead it is an accumulation of small deposits over time.

Paul then relates godliness with a call. Timothy was called to follow Christ.

Our primary call is related to our relationship with Christ.

Then our secondary calls are related to the various roles that we have: father, mother, employee, employer, citizen, neighbor, etc.

Living life with purpose about our calls leads to contentment. We close out the day with the realization that we have advanced our mission for the day.

When we have a purpose we know what we don’t need. I struggle with this because I have an anxiety about being underprepared for emergencies. So I don’t travel light. And I struggle with that.

What do you need for your call?

When Paul was in prison he reached out and asked for prayers. He asked for visitors. And he asked for some of his scrolls. That’s a pretty short list. The scrolls may be the only material thing that mattered to him.

Be Generous with Your Wealth (17-21)

So what about those of us who have wealth?

And who are they?

They are we.

Urbana 79 speaker: if you have a choice about anything, you are rich.

Blue Earth County per capita income (household) is $52,119. That puts the average resident in the top 9% globally. Roughly 12x the average wealth of the rest of the world.

I say this not to guilt any of us, but to expand our conversation. Too often we look at those in the line ahead of us and wish that we could jump places. Rarely do we look behind and long to bring them up towards the front of the line.

Enjoy what God has given.

Share with others.

Invest in your character.

1 Timothy 6:19 NIV

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.

life that is truly life

Conclusion:

Be content.

Enjoy what God has given.

Share with others.

Invest in your character.