Learning To Be Content

Learning To Be Content

Phil 4:4-19, Heb 13:5-6

This morning my subject is on "Learning To Be Content".

Let me begin this morning by sharing a little rhyme with you.......

As a rule, man’s a fool

When it’s hot, he wants it cool.

And when it’s cool, he wants it hot,

Always wanting what is not.

Now I want to tell you that this is one of the most difficult sermons that I’ve had to prepare. For two reasons.......#1 Because being content is a problem for me. # 2 I didn’t seem to be content with this sermon no matter how much or well I prepared.

That leads me to my first point regarding "Learning To Be Content"

I. The Longing For Contentment !

Are you aware that the search for contentment consumes our life ? It really does ! We are always looking for something or someone that will bring us peace of mind, and satisfaction !

Everyday we’re working, looking, shopping for contentment !

Here’s the problem for most people.......we’re looking for contentment in the wrong places, wrong people, and wrong things !

*Remember the story that Christ told in Luke 12

The rich man’s harvest was so great that his barns were overflowing........his solution.........I’ll build greater barns.......I will say to my soul, thous hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.

*Remember........the lessons of Solomon from Ecc.

1. Contentment does not come from a position !

Now I admit that some jobs are better than others.......having better benefits.......pay better..........yet, if you are looking for contentment in your position......in your occupation.........at your job ! You want find it !

No matter what job you have you’re going to almost always find someone who appears to have a better job than yours !

Your position want bring you contentment, however, once you learn the secret to contentment, then you will have peace of mind regarding your job or position !

2. Contentment does not come from a paycheck!

Now I like payday as much as anyone else, and we have to work because we have debts, and responsibilities ! Yet......are we ever totally content with the amount of money that we’re making ?

Let me give you an example:

Ten years ago, the U.S. News & World Report did a story on the American Dream. Here’s what the study found !

People whose income was 25 K said they thought they could be happy if their income was 54 K.

Now those in the 50 K range said they would be satisfied if there income was 100 K.

And guess what...........people in the 100 K level said if they only made 200 K........then they would be satisfied !

John Rockefeller was once asked........how much was enough ? His reply........just a little bit more !

Somone later asked the accountant of Rockefeller following his death.......how much did the old man leave ? All of it was the reply !

Illust. Abraham Lincoln was walking down the street one day with his two young sons, both of whom were crying. What’s the matter with your boys ? asked a passerby. The same thing that’s wrong with the rest of the world, Lincoln replied. I have three walnuts, and they each want two.

Enough never seems to be enough !

3. Contentment does not come from a purchase.

You’ve all heard that money can’t buy you happiness........well........it can ! It can bring you temporary happiness ! But, it cannot bring you contentment.

Some of you in here remember the days of black & white t.v..........now for you younger folks......I’m talking black and white as in the pictures, and images on the set !

Well.......our family was quite happy until color t.v. came along......and all our neighbors, and friends started getting color t.v.......and all of a sudden........our black and white set wasn’t quite the same !

When I was growing up......most of my clothes were hand me downs ! I didn’t know much about new clothes..........what I wore was pretty nice to me.........but then..........in the six grade we had a dance........and all of a sudden people started talking about they just had to have a suit to wear......and then I just had to have a suit to wear...........My first suit......purchased by my aunt........pale blue leisure suit.........white leather shoes.........and white socks ! Man was I pretty !

But then.........no one wore those suits anymore.......I still thought mine was pretty cool......but it was no longer in fashion, no longer in style.......something better came along !

You ever watch these Home Makeovers on T.V......these people come in........demolish most of your old home........replace the ugly paneling, or paint with something beautiful, expensive, and extravagant......they add all the latest gadgets, and gizmo’s........and then the family is brought in.....and they do their woooooooooo............and aaaaaaaaaaaaaawwwwwwwww.......................