Developing a State of Contentment

For those using the “Bible Studies For Life” in Sunday School the whole month of September we will be dealing with the state of contentment. Exactly what does it mean to be content? I love this simple definition of contentment, “To be free from care because of satisfaction with what is already one’s own.[1]”

Wish we could all sing the old song with conviction…

“I’m satisfied with just a cottage below, a little silver and a little gold. But in that city where the ransomed will shine—I want a gold one that’s silver lined…I’ve got a mansion just over the hill top, in that bright land where we will never grow old…”

Years ago, Russell Conwell told of an ancient Persian, Ali Hafed, who “owned a very large farm that had orchards, grain fields, and gardens... and was a wealthy contented man.” One day a wise man from the East told the farmer all about diamonds and how wealthy he would be if he owned a diamond mine. Ali Hafed went to bed that night a poor man—poor because he was discontented. Craving a mine of diamonds, he sold his farm to search for the rare stones. He traveled the world over, finally becoming so poor, broken, and defeated that he just quite and died a broken man. One day the man who purchased Ali Hafed’s farm led his camel into the garden to drink. As his camel put its nose into the brook, the man saw a flash of light from the sands of the stream. He pulled out a stone that reflected all the hues of the rainbow. The man had discovered the diamond mine of Golcanda, the most magnificent mine in all history. Had Ali Hafed remained at home and dug in his own garden, then instead of death in a strange land, he would have had acres of diamonds. G. Sweeting, in May, 1988 Moody Monthly, p. 95.[2]

The scripture teaches us that when we are right with God then Jesus becomes everything to us, “the fulness of him that filleth all in all,” (). are you satisfied with Jesus this morning? Is He your all in all?

Paul writing to the church at Galatia reminds them of several things that bring peace of mind, joy of the heart, and most of all contentment of soul.

The key here is that several of the members of the church were not sure that the money was appropriately being used and had stopped supporting the church. It is possible they thought a temple tax should be put upon every member and sent to Jerusalem or they had stopped supporting the local church in Galatia and was sending it elsewhere.

Now this seems out of place when illustrating how to be content, but the truth is money causes many problems in life. Paul makes it clear that a Cheerful giver is blessed with contentment. When you begin to be a faithful giver to this church—that is the beginning of being content.

The second thing Paul tells us that brings contentment is from verses 7-8. Paul continues the agricultural metaphors that Jesus used frequently. Now the term mocked used here is an expression that many people in Christian circles practice today. It is a word that describes the concept that I determine what is right for my life in reference to Christianity and God. I will determine what faithfulness means; I will determine my level of support.

But, O how deceived—the reason many professing Christians have almost no contentment in their lives. They are not internally happy nor at peace. Because they seek for this world’s goods instead of the ministry of Jesus and His church.

Now this illustration of sowing is in contrast to instant gratification. Have you ever heard of the marshmallow test. A researcher gives this choice to a 4-year-old: “I am leaving for a few minutes to run an errand and you can have this marshmallow while I am gone, but if you wait until I return, you can have two marshmallows.” Researchers at Stanford University ran that test in the 1960s. A dozen years later, they restudied the same children and found that those who had grabbed the single marshmallow tended to be more troubled as adolescents. Astonishingly, the one-marshmallow kids also scored an average of 210 points less on SAT tests. Daniel Goleman tells that tale in his new book, Emotional Intelligence, to illustrate the importance of early character training. But it is also an excellent reminder—as if any more are needed—of just how critical the early home years are in the life of a child. U.S. News & World Report, October 2, 1995, p. 88[3]

Paul is teaching that Spiritual Fulfillment is coming, but like all things worth having it takes patience to wait until the harvest. You can spend your life chasing the things of this world or you can plant in the spiritual garden of Jesus. many in that last days will cry out Lord, Lord, but remember God is not mocked He knows the true desires of your heart.

I believe the word sow could be translated, “for whatsoever a man is committed to, that shall he also reap. For he that is committed to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that is committed to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

To sow a garden takes time, effort, and money. Where does your commitment lay? Contentment comes when my intentions are honest and right in the spiritual realm. When pleasing God is my first duty.

Then in verse 9 we see the result of sowing rightly and the encouragement to continue. Helping out others is a way of life for the Christian—to Love thy neighbor as thyself. The term faint describes the state of discouragement.

That great verse on salvation from “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast,” (8-9). Moves right into “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them,” (vs. 10).

It is our very nature to do good to all men, listen from our text, “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith,” (vs. 10).

True contentment comes from serving others. Selfishness breeds contempt and corruption—the Christian will never be at peace chasing the things of this world. Selflessness brings contentment and a satisfaction with what one has right now.

It could be you need to experience that grace of God and be saved—saved people seek after Jesus—lost people seek after the fulfillment of the flesh.

Giving faithfully to the local church, being committed to spiritual things, and serving others bring contentment in life…

[1] Orr, James et al., eds. “Content, Contentment.” The International Standard Bible Encyclopaedia 1915 : 705. Print.

[2] Galaxie Software. 10,000 Sermon Illustrations. Biblical Studies Press, 2002. Print.

[3] Galaxie Software. 10,000 Sermon Illustrations. Biblical Studies Press, 2002. Print.

For those using the “Bible Studies For Life” in Sunday School the whole month of September we will be dealing with the state of contentment. Exactly what does it mean to be content? I love this simple definition of contentment, “To be free from care because of satisfaction with what is already one’s own.[1]”

Wish we could all sing the old song with conviction…

“I’m satisfied with just a cottage below, a little silver and a little gold. But in that city where the ransomed will shine—I want a gold one that’s silver lined…I’ve got a mansion just over the hill top, in that bright land where we will never grow old…”

Are you content this morning, are you satisfied?

Years ago, Russell Conwell told of an ancient Persian, Ali Hafed, who “owned a very large farm that had orchards, grain fields, and gardens... and was a wealthy contented man.” One day a wise man from the East told the farmer all about diamonds and how wealthy he would be if he owned a diamond mine. Ali Hafed went to bed that night a poor man—poor because he was discontented. Craving a mine of diamonds, he sold his farm to search for the rare stones. He traveled the world over, finally becoming so poor, broken, and defeated that he just quite and died a broken man. One day the man who purchased Ali Hafed’s farm led his camel into the garden to drink. As his camel put its nose into the brook, the man saw a flash of light from the sands of the stream. He pulled out a stone that reflected all the hues of the rainbow. The man had discovered the diamond mine of Golcanda, the most magnificent mine in all history. Had Ali Hafed remained at home and dug in his own garden, then instead of death in a strange land, he would have had acres of diamonds. G. Sweeting, in May, 1988 Moody Monthly, p. 95.[2]

The scripture teaches us that when we are right with God then Jesus becomes everything to us, “the fulness of him that filleth all in all,” (). are you satisfied with Jesus this morning? Is He your all in all?

Paul writing to the church at Galatia reminds them of several things that bring peace of mind, joy of the heart, and most of all contentment of soul.

In verse 6 he reminds them to financially continue to support the local church. The back drop of this is the contention Paul mentions in chapter 2 about the men who came with James from Jerusalem—devout Jews who insisted on following the letter of the Law—no longer under grace. That a temple tax was required. Not so with the gospel of Jesus Christ—this church exists solely on your free-will gifts. The offering is offered to allow you to show your support for the ministry of Hebron BC.