Contentment & Comparison
Notes
Transcript
INTRO
INTRO
What would you answer if someone asked you right now: “What is it that you want the most in your life?”
What would you answer if someone asked you right now: “What is it that you want the most in your life?”
FACT: We are unsatisfied people. We are unpleased with our car, our house, our job, our government and even ourselves! Why is that??
FACT: We are unsatisfied people. We are unpleased with our car, our house, our job, our government and even ourselves! Why is that??
Benjamin Franklin once said:
Benjamin Franklin once said:
“Who is it that is truly rich??” He who is content.
And who is that?? No one!
Our study today will concentrate on the subject of Contentment, and what are its principles under the light of the Word of God, and how comparison plays a big role on the challenge to be content.
Our study today will concentrate on the subject of Contentment, and what are its principles under the light of the Word of God, and how comparison plays a big role on the challenge to be content.
MAIN TEXT
MAIN TEXT
Pero gran ganancia es la piedad acompañada de contentamiento, porque nada hemos traído a este mundo y, sin duda, nada podremos sacar. Así que, teniendo sustento y abrigo, estemos ya satisfechos;
Therefore, our theme for today is:
Therefore, our theme for today is:
CONTENTMENT & COMPARISON
CONTENTMENT & COMPARISON
Nothing will steal more the joy of your life than a life lived with discontentment and comparison;
Nothing will steal more the joy of your life than a life lived with discontentment and comparison;
Preliminary considerations:
a. It’s not a sin to desire to prosper; (the problem is the uncontrolled desire, that becomes lust)
b. It’s not a sin to admire good things.
That said, let’s see 3 lessons about Contentment & Comparison:
That said, let’s see 3 lessons about Contentment & Comparison:
1. LACK OF CONTENTMENT HAS TO DO WITH COVETOUSNESS
1. LACK OF CONTENTMENT HAS TO DO WITH COVETOUSNESS
The word “covet” from a biblical standpoint means “the uncontrolled desire to acquire”.
In Hebrew (hemdah) means “to pant for”; (Span. jadear)
In Greek means “to grab onto something so strongly that you cannot let go”.
Basically, when you deal with covetousness you don’t own things, things own you.
Basically, when you deal with covetousness you don’t own things, things own you.
«¡Ay de los que en sus camas piensan iniquidad
y maquinan el mal,
y cuando llega la mañana lo ejecutan,
porque tienen en sus manos el poder!
Codician campos y los roban;
casas, y las toman;
oprimen al hombre y a su familia,
al hombre y a su heredad.
COVETOUSNESS - The concept of covetousness is so important in the Old Testament that God brought it up as 1 of the 10 Commandments in Exodus:
COVETOUSNESS - The concept of covetousness is so important in the Old Testament that God brought it up as 1 of the 10 Commandments in Exodus:
»No codiciarás la casa de tu prójimo: no codiciarás la mujer de tu prójimo, ni su siervo, ni su criada, ni su buey, ni su asno, ni cosa alguna de tu prójimo».
In fact, not only it’s 1 of the 10 Commandments, it is the climax of them, the last one, because it has an impact in all of them. (Because of covetousness we steal, kill, become an adulterer, etc)
In fact, not only it’s 1 of the 10 Commandments, it is the climax of them, the last one, because it has an impact in all of them. (Because of covetousness we steal, kill, become an adulterer, etc)
Covetousness started with SATAN himself, as we see in:
Covetousness started with SATAN himself, as we see in:
Tú que decías en tu corazón:
“Subiré al cielo.
En lo alto, junto a las estrellas de Dios,
levantaré mi trono
y en el monte del testimonio me sentaré,
en los extremos del norte;
sobre las alturas de las nubes subiré
y seré semejante al Altísimo”.
Later, when already on earth, the deception of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden had covetousness as the main background (the covetousness of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, and the desire to become like God);
Later, when already on earth, the deception of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden had covetousness as the main background (the covetousness of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, and the desire to become like God);
After that, we see multiples examples in the Bible of people who were not content with what they had:
After that, we see multiples examples in the Bible of people who were not content with what they had:
Lot and Abraham’s choosing of the land; (Lot chose Sodom and Gomorrah)
David and Uriah’s wife;
King Ahab and Naboth’ vineyard.
THEREFORE, the lack of contentment is a symptom of a greater cause: covetousness.
THEREFORE, the lack of contentment is a symptom of a greater cause: covetousness.
2. POSSESSIONS AREN’T EVERYTHING
2. POSSESSIONS AREN’T EVERYTHING
IT’S IMPOSSIBLE TO TALK ABOUT CONTENTMENT WITHOUT SPEAKING ABOUT MONEY, AND THE REASON FOR THAT IS THAT MOST PEOPLE ASSOCIATE CONTENTMENT WITH HAVING MONEY.
IT’S IMPOSSIBLE TO TALK ABOUT CONTENTMENT WITHOUT SPEAKING ABOUT MONEY, AND THE REASON FOR THAT IS THAT MOST PEOPLE ASSOCIATE CONTENTMENT WITH HAVING MONEY.
BUT… DOES MONEY BRING CONTENTMENT??
Cuanto más tengas, más se te acercará la gente para ayudarte a gastarlo. Por lo tanto, ¿de qué sirven las riquezas? ¡Quizás sólo para ver cómo se escapan de las manos!
Pero los que viven con la ambición de hacerse ricos caen en tentación y quedan atrapados por muchos deseos necios y dañinos que los hunden en la ruina y la destrucción.
A los ricos de este mundo manda que no sean altivos ni pongan la esperanza en las riquezas, las cuales son inciertas, sino en el Dios vivo, que nos da todas las cosas en abundancia para que las disfrutemos. Que hagan bien, que sean ricos en buenas obras, dadivosos y generosos. De este modo atesorarán para sí buen fundamento para el futuro, y alcanzarán la vida eterna.
If you have running water in your house right now, then you are the rich of this text!
If you have running water in your house right now, then you are the rich of this text!
La gente trabajadora siempre duerme bien, coma mucho o coma poco; pero los ricos rara vez tienen una buena noche de descanso.
ADDICTED TO UPGRADES
ADDICTED TO UPGRADES
The problem with accumulating is: people change, but things don’t. We don’t even remember our last Christmas gifts! Few days after having the “new model”, we are already tired of it!
We want to know the last series on Netflix, the latest model of iPhones, the last trending in fashion, the latest technology, etc.
We are hoarders! Instead of owning a boat or a cabin that you will use just once a year, why not to rent it??
Los que aman el dinero nunca tendrán suficiente. ¡Qué absurdo es pensar que las riquezas traen verdadera felicidad!
Let’s remember that when Solomon wrote this, he was the richest man in the world!!
Let’s remember that when Solomon wrote this, he was the richest man in the world!!
Jesus warned His disciples that we cannot serve God and money, because they are two masters!
Jesus warned His disciples that we cannot serve God and money, because they are two masters!
Illustration
Illustration
I got a call from a lady this last Thursday, and she told me: “Pr. Joshua, I am a successful person, and with my husband we built a good life, we have possessions, but I live a life of worries and anxiety… I heard you preaching on a funeral, and I need someone to talk to...”
I got a call from a lady this last Thursday, and she told me: “Pr. Joshua, I am a successful person, and with my husband we built a good life, we have possessions, but I live a life of worries and anxiety… I heard you preaching on a funeral, and I need someone to talk to...”
Transition:
Transition:
Therefore, we have seen that 1. Lack of Contentment has to do with Covetousness and 2. Possessions aren’t everything...
Therefore, we have seen that 1. Lack of Contentment has to do with Covetousness and 2. Possessions aren’t everything...
So, the main question remains...
So, the main question remains...
3. HOW TO LIVE A LIFE OF CONTENTMENT?
3. HOW TO LIVE A LIFE OF CONTENTMENT?
(The Word of God gives us at least 3 important principles):
(The Word of God gives us at least 3 important principles):
1st Principle:
1st Principle:
A. LEARN HOW TO ENJOY WHAT YOU HAVE AND DEVELOP A GRATEFUL HEART
A. LEARN HOW TO ENJOY WHAT YOU HAVE AND DEVELOP A GRATEFUL HEART
Enjoy what you have!
Enjoy what you have!
También es algo bueno recibir riquezas de parte de Dios y la buena salud para disfrutarlas. Disfrutar del trabajo y aceptar lo que depara la vida son verdaderos regalos de Dios.
Take pleasure in small things!
(I have been in a country where people go to the bathroom in the middle of the street…)
Hot water, sunset, forests, highways, toilet, toilet paper, internet! (speaking with family overseas), having a Bible to read... the smell of shampoo Aussie…, especially here we live in a part of the country where we provide food for the whole country, beautiful parks at 40 minutes from home, lakes, mountains, beaches, what a blessing!!
The apostle Paul almost died in Philippi, but he speaks about contentment when writing to them:
The apostle Paul almost died in Philippi, but he speaks about contentment when writing to them:
No lo digo porque tenga escasez, pues he aprendido a contentarme, cualquiera que sea mi situación. Sé vivir humildemente y sé tener abundancia; en todo y por todo estoy enseñado, así para estar saciado como para tener hambre, así para tener abundancia como para padecer necesidad. Todo lo puedo en Cristo que me fortalece.
The key word here is “I have learned...” - Contentment is something you LEARN.
The key word here is “I have learned...” - Contentment is something you LEARN.
John, the Baptist also said something about contentment:
John, the Baptist also said something about contentment:
También le preguntaron unos soldados, diciendo:
—Y nosotros, ¿qué haremos?
Les dijo:
—No hagáis extorsión a nadie, ni calumniéis; y contentaos con vuestro salario.
NOTE: as far as not being content with your salary, there is only 2 options: work more or spend less!
NOTE: as far as not being content with your salary, there is only 2 options: work more or spend less!
2nd Principle:
2nd Principle:
B. LIVE UNDER A HEAVENLY PERSPECTIVE
B. LIVE UNDER A HEAVENLY PERSPECTIVE
Life is not about possessions, we will not take anything into eternity;
ILLUSTRATION
(Woman who promised at the request of his husband, to bury him with his riches.)
At the funeral, when asked if she fulfilled the promise made to her husband, she answered: “Of course I did; but because it was so many things for him to carry, I wrote him a check!!”
It was Jesus who said:
It was Jesus who said:
Y luego dijo: «¡Tengan cuidado con toda clase de avaricia! La vida no se mide por cuánto tienen».
Right after saying this, He told the story of the rich man who thought he had for many years… but his soul was requested in that very same night...
Right after saying this, He told the story of the rich man who thought he had for many years… but his soul was requested in that very same night...
Remember:
Remember:
Your value cannot be measured by your values… but by what you take into eternity (your salvation)
Your value cannot be measured by your values… but by what you take into eternity (your salvation)
3rd Principle:
3rd Principle:
C. STOP COMPARING YOURSELF
C. STOP COMPARING YOURSELF
YOU are unique, and God has a UNIQUE plan for YOUR life!
YOU are unique, and God has a UNIQUE plan for YOUR life!
We have a natural tendency to comparison;
Pr. Rick Warrens always says: “If the grass is greener in the other side of the fence, so is the water bill”.
About comparing ourselves to others, the apostle Paul exhorts us:
No nos atrevemos a contarnos ni a compararnos con algunos que se alaban a sí mismos; pero ellos manifiestan su falta de juicio al medirse con su propia medida y al compararse consigo mismos.
Important: Some people will have more, some less; concentrate in your own life, and in the project and plan that the Lord has for you. Believe me, it will be enough!
Important: Some people will have more, some less; concentrate in your own life, and in the project and plan that the Lord has for you. Believe me, it will be enough!
FINAL APPLICATIONS
FINAL APPLICATIONS
There are 2 myths we need to deconstruct, regarding contentment:
There are 2 myths we need to deconstruct, regarding contentment:
I can have and do everything! (No you cannot); (this is an American idea, and it’s wrong!)
I would be much happier if I had ___________ (most of the time people fill the blank with “money”).
Contentment is a choice! It has nothing to do with circumstances, but with attitude!
Contentment is a choice! It has nothing to do with circumstances, but with attitude!
There is no contentment without contention!
There is no contentment without contention!
No te desgastes tratando de hacerte rico.
Sé lo suficientemente sabio para saber cuándo detenerte.
If we do not learn how to put boundaries in ourselves, we will never be able to be content.
If we do not learn how to put boundaries in ourselves, we will never be able to be content.
Y me ha dicho: «Bástate mi gracia, porque mi poder se perfecciona en la debilidad». Por tanto, de buena gana me gloriaré más bien en mis debilidades, para que repose sobre mí el poder de Cristo. Por lo cual, por amor a Cristo me gozo en las debilidades, en insultos, en necesidades, en persecuciones, en angustias; porque cuando soy débil, entonces soy fuerte.
When it comes to contentment, we should always look for a very honest balance:
When it comes to contentment, we should always look for a very honest balance:
Oh Dios, te ruego dos favores;
concédemelos antes de que muera.
Primero, ayúdame a no mentir jamás.
Segundo, ¡no me des pobreza ni riqueza!
Dame sólo lo suficiente para satisfacer mis necesidades.
Pues si me hago rico, podría negarte y decir: «¿Quién es el Señor?».
Y si soy demasiado pobre, podría robar y así ofender el santo nombre de Dios.
Illustration
Illustration
There was a king that said to one of his servants: “I will give as much land as you can walk on it in one day”. After choosing the amount of land and exploring it the whole day, the servant died of exhaustion.
There was a king that said to one of his servants: “I will give as much land as you can walk on it in one day”. After choosing the amount of land and exploring it the whole day, the servant died of exhaustion.
What are we living our lives for? Things, covetousness, love of money, or are we running for eternal values?
What are we living our lives for? Things, covetousness, love of money, or are we running for eternal values?
The psalmist warns us:
The psalmist warns us:
Porque soy recto, te veré;
cuando despierte, te veré cara a cara y quedaré satisfecho.
Our greatest and eternal satisfaction will be to live with our Lord, face to face, forever and ever!
Our greatest and eternal satisfaction will be to live with our Lord, face to face, forever and ever!
Dear brother, sister, friend, when you get home today, look around, and think about all the faithfulness of the Lord towards you, be thankful, and enjoy what God has given you!
Dear brother, sister, friend, when you get home today, look around, and think about all the faithfulness of the Lord towards you, be thankful, and enjoy what God has given you!
Let’s pray.
Let’s pray.
