Crushed by Contentment
Notes
Transcript
Introduction: Thanksgiving with Family
Introduction: Thanksgiving with Family
1. My magic trick. “Papa, you’re HIlarious!”
2. Thanksgiving on Thursday, then Black Friday! Happy Thanksgiving! What’s wrong with this picture? For one thing, it reflects something unsettling about our attitude toward money.
2. Remember what the Bible says? “Money is the root of all evil.” Right? Not exactly.
Money Creates Problems
Money Creates Problems
Money is a “snare”. Monkey traps, raccoon traps, rabbit traps, as examples.
It causes us to lose perspective. Again, Black Friday!
A. Perspective about who we really are and what we already have
B. Perspective about our real role in financial success. We begin to think we are far more
intelligent and capable that we really are. HUMILITY vs. Superiority!
C. Perspective similiar to addiction. Why don’t substances work the same way over time? Our
bodies adjust. We adjust to the effect of more money on our lives. We never really see greed for what it is. It blinds us. There’s the snare.
And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”
Solutions to the Problem
Solutions to the Problem
1.Contentment (v. 6) Completely happy regardless of your situation.
We believe wealth is the path to safety and security. But it’s not. In fact, it’s much more about fear than anything else. Making more money actually raises doubts instead of erasing them.
Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
How? Jonathan Edwards:
“Your bad things will turn out for good, your good things can never be taken away from you, and the best things are yet to come.”
Bad things: they turn out for good in the long term .
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
Good things: Adoption, Justification, Sanctification, Glorification. All settled in Christ.
Best things: All in your future
2.God’s Grace: Don’t forget, His grace far exceeds out sin.
Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us,
Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.