Contentment

Phil 4:1111 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

KJV

Paul learned contentment…

Contentment is not something we are born with, it needs to be learned…

Contentment unrelated to circumstances…

Contentment unrelated to possessions...

Paul was in a difficult situation…

Contentment not what I have, but WHO has me

Society and Advertising designed to make us discontent.

To make us unhappy, not satisfied…

To want more, or the newest, fastest, coolest, etc.

All in the name of the Dollar..

Ps 36:7-87 How excellent is Thy lovingkindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of Thy wings.8 They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of Thy house; and Thou shalt make them drink of the river of Thy pleasures.

Ps 63:3-53 Because Thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise Thee.4 Thus will I bless Thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in Thy name.5 My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise Thee with joyful lips:

Ps 65:44 Blessed is the man whom Thou choosest, and causest to approach unto Thee, that he may dwell in Thy courts: we shall be satisfied with the goodness of Thy house, even of Thy holy temple.

Ps 107:99 For He satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.

Ps 23:123 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

Matt 6:2525 Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?

CONTENTMENT I have enough, I am satisfied

There are 2 types of contentment talked about in the scriptures….

Godly which is commanded

Evil or less than Gods best

Gen.37:27 Josephs brothersJudges 17 Did what they wantedMark 15:15 Pilot satisfied people

Discontentment very serious sinDiscontentment is sin because it denies the right of God to do with us as He will

Ignores the promise of 1 Cor. 10:1313 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, Who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. Heb 13:5

5 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.“

Sin because it fails to believe GODS best for us…

Philippians were no strangers to trouble….

28 And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God.29 For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on Him, but also to suffer for His sake;30 Having the same conflict which ye saw in me, and now hear to be in me. 14 Do all things without murmurings and disputings:

If Contentment is so important….

1 Contentment comes from..

Loving others

Being other oriented

Discontentment is primarily a result of being “self preoccupied”

Phil.4:1-3 Paul basis Contentment on relationships not circumstances

2 Contentment comes from rejoicing

Rejoicing 70 times in NT not an option

V 4 Attitude of rejoicing

Acts 5:41 Flogged yet rejoiced

Primary source of Joy is obedience

John 15:10-1110 If ye keep My commandments, ye shall abide in My love; even as I have kept My Father's commandments, and abide in His love.11 These things have I spoken unto you, that My joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.

3 Learning to accept less than we are due

V 5a Let your moderation be known unto all men… Sweet reasonableness … Generosity Humble willingness to be disgraced or offended…Not demanding

2 Cor. 10:110 Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ

Not given what we deserve…What is that?

4 Confident faith in the Lord

Phil 4:5b-6a5 … The Lord is at hand. Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, Lord is closer than a brother Lord lives in my very body Lord loves me fervently Nothing touches me that He has not experienced and allowed The Lord is my true security

5 Reacting to problems with thankful prayer

Phil 4:6b but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

Answer to prayer is not the issue TALK to GOD

Phil 4:77 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

6 Think on Godly things… Phil 4:88 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

To be discontent rehearse what is bad, keep harping on it, dwell on it constantly, tell everybody we know…

Ps 17:15

15 As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.