Banking God's Way: Contentment

Another emphasis comes also from the Apostle Paul in the Book of Philippians. Paul is reflecting on how the Philippian church wanted to help him, but could not get help to him when they wanted. He had an extended time of being in need. Paul says that it is only in Christ that he has found the ability to be content when it comes to money and material things. Philippians 4:13 in context tells us that only in Christ can we have a hope of being content.

READ PHILIPPIANS 4:10-13 (ESV)

“I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. 11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12 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. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”

TRANSITION

God shaping our heart about money is at the center of contentment. This makes me think about an old story about a millionaire.

ILLUSTRATION… The Millionaire (http://www.generouschurch.com/207)

At a church meeting a very wealthy man rose to tell the rest of those present about his Christian faith. "I'm a millionaire," he said, "and I attribute it all to the rich blessings of God in my life. I remember the turning point in my faith. I had just earned my first dollar and I went to a church meeting that night. The speaker was a missionary who told about his work. I knew that I only had a dollar bill and had to either give it all to God's work or nothing at all. So, at that moment I decided to give my whole dollar to God. I believe that God blessed that decision, and that is why I am a rich man today." He finished and there was an awed silence at his testimony as he moved toward his seat.

As he sat down a little old lady sitting in the same pew leaned over and said to him: "I dare you to do it again.”

We have looked at the nature of money, talked a little bit about contentment, and now we need to look closer at Hebrews 13:5-6 which answers for us how we reach for contentment. It is in Hebrews 13 that we have some specific attitudes to help us bank God’s way.

ATTITUDES OF FAITH THAT LEAD TO CONTENTMENT

I think there are four basic attitudes in Hebrews 13:5-6 that overlap and help guide our hearts when it comes to money.

#1 ‘I don’t love money’

You and I have to decide not to love money. We have to decide that money is not a good motivator for our lives. We have to have some other goal for work and life and hobbies and sports and family other than making ‘the almighty dollar.’ The dollar needs to not be ‘the almighty dollar’ to us, but rather just a dollar. I think this is an active purposeful decision you and I need to make because money and stuff can slip in and grab our affections. We must decide ‘I don’t love money’ to bank God’s way.

#2 ‘I am content with what I have’

We also, because money is not the chief end goal of our lives, settle down the temptations in our hearts to want more and more. These are temptations that can come to anyone. Being envious and coveting what others have is the opposite of contentment and can become part of anyone’s heart and we need to watch for it and move towards contentment.