Content Or Discontent? Series

Content or discontent that is the question?

Open with Video – Bill Naire talking about the lives of the rich and famous!

Thesis: We need to learn to be content in life.

Scripture Texts:

1 Timothy 6:3-10:

Love of Money

3If anyone teaches false doctrines and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching,

4he 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

5and 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.

6But godliness with contentment is great gain.

7For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.

8But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.

9People 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.

10For 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.

Philippians 4:10-13

10I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it.

11I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.

12I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.

13I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

Introduction:

What turns a mood of contentment to discontentedness in your life or family?

What is the factor that comes dancing in to steal away contentment?

Is it the Newspaper sale adds?

The newest department store catalogue?

The new car magazine?

The new boat magazine?

Is it a commercial on TV selling something?

Is it the bill board sign you just passed?

Is it driving down 159th street every night and you see the latest and greatest camaro, Hummer, Cadillac or Mini-cooper?

Is it strolling through the mall and then you see than that certain thing which catches your eye?

Is it the ice cream truck which all of the sudden drives down your street and it’s music is playing and the kids starting shouting “I need ice cream, I want ice cream – I need ice cream now!”

Oh how quickly contentment in life can be lost because the tempter or the item is marched in front of our eyes. It does a nice waltz right and front of us and then we have to have it!

Don Jaques reported from New York (CNN/Money) the following:

“A Japanese toilet maker is introducing a high-tech $5,000 toliet to the U.S. Market, according to a published report. The Wall Street Journal reports that Toto has introduced its Deluxe Neorest Toilet. Features include seats that can be set to rise automatically via sensors on the side, so users don’t have to touch the toilet. The toilet also has a wireless remote to raise and lower the seat. It has a deodorizer, a warm-air dryer and water temperature, and a pressure and massaging option.” Rumor has it soon they will have heated seat toilets as another feature.

Before I read about this super deluxe luxury toilet I was content with my one at home but then you mind starts to covet this new toilet – you think of what you are missing and then you want it.

This is how discontentment dances into our lives! It looks harmless and even pretty but then the cost of it hits you.

T.S. - Let’s look at our first text tonight and see what it says about this elusive mind set of contentment:

I. We need to understand that godliness should lead us to contentment.

a. When you attain both of these qualities then you have attained a secret key to peace and contentment in life.

i. It’s not about how much money you have or don’t have:

1. Jaques notes from his sermon “The Secret of Contentment” on sermoncentral.com the following:

a. About 10 years ago, there was a story in U.S. News and World Report. Some of the information in this story is probably just as relevant today, ten years later, as it was then. The story was about the so-called “American Dream.” I guess that would include owning your own home, and having all your needs met for sure, but also having enough to do all the things you really wanted to do, and have all the things you really wanted to have. The story said that for Americans with household incomes of under $25,000, polls showed these people believed it would take $54,000 to fulfill the American dream in their lives. The same survey also showed that for those who make $100,000, they’d like to make about $192,000 for their version of the American Dream. In other words, the American Dream usually lies nearly twice the distance away, at least financially.