The Discontented Heart

Introduction:

Greed can get you into a lot of sticky situations. While we were in Bithlo, FL we went to the movies one night and saw the new remake of Aladdin. You may remember the classic Disney movie. At the beginning of the movie there is a scene where Aladdin is sent into the Cave of Wonders to retrieve the magic lamp for Jafar. He is warned not to touch anything in the cave except the lamp.

When Aladdin goes in, he finds mountains of gold and jewelry and riches galore. He is tempted to pick up some of the treasure, but resists. It is Abu, his pet monkey, that ends up getting greedy and grabbing the forbidden treasure.

Some of us are like Abu, only we are never satisfied with what we have. We always want more. But more isn’t always better. What we really need is contentment with what God has blessed us with and the resolve to use it for His kingdom.

1. Beware the Discontented Heart (vv.1-6)

Remember that not only are the things we have blessings from God, but also the ability to enjoy what we have is a blessing from God.

Wealth, possessions, honor, and children were all signs of a wealthy life in ancient society, and get the ability to enjoy what we have is more important than all that we strive to acquire

2. Beware the Unfulfilled Appetite (vv. 7-9)

How many of you woke up hungry this morning? I know I did. How many of you were hungry after the worship service? Some of you perhaps were even praying that I would hurry up and finish so you could get something to eat and not die! In fact, I bet it wasn’t 15 minutes after I ate lunch and I was hongry again! That’s because the appetite is never satisfied!

3. Beware of Disputing with God (vv. 10-11)

To name something is to have authority over it.

Genesis 1:28 ESV

And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”

Genesis 1:28

Genesis 2:19-20

Genesis 2:19–20 ESV

Now out of the ground the Lord God had formed every beast of the field and every bird of the heavens and brought them to the man to see what he would call them. And whatever the man called every living creature, that was its name. The man gave names to all livestock and to the birds of the heavens and to every beast of the field. But for Adam there was not found a helper fit for him.

Here Solomon is speaking of the futility of trying to live outside of the authority God has given us.

Illustration: Geico commercial - stay in your lane bro!

We need to learn to stay in the lane God has given to us. We need to recognize that the ultimate authority in life comes from God.

Job tried to dispute with one stronger than he. was the response.

Words are produced by air, yet the more of them without knowledge the more vanity or empty breath.

We cannot predict the future, but God knows all things.

Conclusion:

What are we to do?

Matthew 6:33 ESV

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.