A-Ssess My Contentment (Part 8) Series

Assess My Contentment

Series, “Being Spiritual without being Religious” – Part 8

Pastor Jeff Christopherson

November 7, 2004

Assess My Contentment…

Experience a faith that delivers on the promise of peace.

I have climbed the highest mountains. I have run through the fields. I run, I have crawled, I have scaled the city walls. But I still haven’t found what I’m looking for. Bono, U2

“But godliness with [+] contentment is [=] great gain.” 1 Tim. 6:6

3 Contentment Killing Attitudes: (1 Timothy 6:1-10)

1. “I deserve a Better Job!”

“All who are under the yoke of slavery should consider their masters worthy of full respect, so that God’s name and our teaching may not be slandered. Those who have believing masters are not to show less respect for them because they are brothers. Instead, they are to serve them even better, because those who benefit from their service are believers, and dear to them. These are the things you are to teach and urge on them.” 1 Timothy 6:1-2

“Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to win their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” Colossians 3:22-24

But godliness with [+] contentment is [=] great gain.

How do I discover ‘great gain’ in my job?

•godliness: who, ultimately is my employer?

•contentment: am I grateful for my employment?

3 Contentment Killing Attitudes:

1. “I deserve a Better Job!”

2. “I want a Sexier Faith!”

“If anyone teaches false doctrines and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, he is conceited and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions and constant friction between men of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.” 1 Timothy 6:3-5

“Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to your care. Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge, which some have professed and in so doing have wandered from the faith.” vs.20-21

“Please come as soon as you can. Demas has deserted me because he loves the things of this life and has gone to Thessalonica.” 2 Timothy 4:9-10 (NLT)

But godliness with [+] contentment is [=] great gain.

How do I discover ‘great gain’ in my faith?

•godliness: is my faith me-centred?

•contentment:am I satisfied with Jesus?

3 Contentment Killing Attitudes:

1. “I deserve a Better Job!”

2. “I want a Sexier Faith!”

3. “I need More Money!”

“But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” 1 Timothy 6:6-10

“Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.” vs. 17-19

But godliness with [+] contentment is [=] great gain.

How do I discover ‘great gain’ with my money?

•godliness: how healthy is my Eternal RRSP?

•contentment: do I trust money more than Jesus?

“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.’” Hebrews 13:5

Scripture passages from the New International Version unless otherwise noted.

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Digging Deeper @ Home Church

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1. When (time, season, setting, etc.) are you the most contented?

2. Of the big 3 ‘contentment killers’ that we looked at on Sunday, which one sabotages your contentment most often?

3. How could godly contentment turn that situation around to one of great gain?

“But godliness with [+] contentment is [=] great gain.”

1 Timothy 6:6

4. Prayerfully look at our budget together…