‘KEYS TO UNLOCKING GOD’S BLESSING ON YOUR LIFE” p.3
Learning to Live in the Contentment Zone
1 Kings 21:1-16; 1 Timothy 6:6; Philippians :11-12
By Rev. Ralph Juthman
INTRODUCTION: Paul writes to Timothy, and instructs him to warn the rich in the church not to become complacent in their wealth. Paul reminds Timothy, , 6But godliness with contentment is great gain.(1Tim.6:6)
Someone once asked multi-billionaire Casino owner Donald Trump, “How much money does it take to make a person happy?” Trumps reply was, “Just a little more.”
That’s a sad truth of today’s world. We would throw aside just about anything, all for some money.
Over the last couple of weeks we have been discovering the Keys to Unlocking God’s Blessing in your life.
The first key begins with giving with an OPEN HAND. There are two attitudes you can have. The one is holding on to your stuff, and money with a clenched fist. The reason your hand is closed is you are either worried you will lose what little you feel you have or you are afraid that you will not have enough of what you think you should have.
This attitude, Jesus says will only result in the eternal loss of everything you do have. This is the greatest waste of God’s resources.
The opposite attitude is that you give with an open hand. When you give all that you have in order that others may be blessed through your obedient sacrifice, you in turn will receive God’s blessing that will last now and through eternity.
There is no greater freedom than when you give with an open hand.
The Second Key to open God s blessing is Giving with a BELIEVING HEART. You give as you believe.
The third key that I want us to look at today is, giving with a CONTENTED MIND.
If contenment is the goal, then the enemy of contentment is greed or covetousness.
In his inauguration address to the world, President Obama hit the nail on the head when he said, Americas financial woes are the direct result of ‘the greed of some’. I would hasten to add, the greed of many!
Greed and covetousness has been the prevalent attitude that has run our businesses, banks, the oil industry and dare I say even some churches and Christian ministries. The prosperity we have enjoyed over the last few decades has been quickly evaporated by the insatiable desire of people who feel the want and deserve for more than what they already have.
Unfortunately it is the most vulnerable in our society who end up suffering as a result.
Before we consider the secret to a life of contentment, lets take a look at a graphic and sad picture of greed. This story paints a graphic picture of the contrast between a life driven by greed and a life that is settled and content n the blessing and provision of Gd. Kindly turn with me in your Bibles to 1 Kings 21:1-16
Now as we start this text, we’re going to find that Ahab is like many of us in that he wanted something he couldn’t have. Look at vs. 1-2, “ Some time later there was an incident involving a vineyard belonging to Naboth the Jezreelite. The vineyard was in Jezreel, close to the palace of Ahab king of Samaria. Ahab said to Naboth, "Let me have your vineyard to use for a vegetable garden, since it is close to my palace. In exchange I will give you a better vineyard or, if you prefer, I will pay you whatever it is worth."
Now this must have been a beautiful vineyard, and it was right next to the summer home of Ahab, only problem was is that it wasn’t his. But hey, that’s really no problem, because Ahab was a powerful man, and Ahab always got what Ahab wanted. Ahab was used to just snapping his fingers, and people running to answer his request. Much in the same way as a celebrity might make some crazy request yet they always seem to get answered.
So imagine the horror on Ahab’s face when Naboth says…”No, you can’t have it!” In fact, Naboth goes further, look at vs. 3, “But Naboth replied, "The LORD forbid that I should give you the inheritance of my fathers." Naboth’s actions were not prompted by monetary considerations, but by biblical principles and convictions. When God gave the land of Canaan to Israel, He divided it among the tribes of Israel. Given the nature of men, the land (like money) would have tended to accumulate into the hands of the few. And so the rich would get richer, and the poor would get poorer. God set down some very specific laws in Leviticus 25:8-17, 23-34 and Deuteronomy 25:5-10. These laws prevented the land from permanently changing hands, outside the family or tribe to which it was allotted. Because of these laws, Naboth knew that he could not sell or trade his land. It was not just that Naboth was being unreasonable; this was something he could not do, according to the law, and thus it was something he would not do, even if the king made him a deal that was tempting.
Let’s give Naboth a lot of credit here, not only is he refusing a tempting offer, but remember this is an offer from a ruthless tyrannical dictator. Yet Naboth wasn’t about to budge because Naboth was a man driven by Biblical Principles. You see, no matter how tempting the offer was, Naboth had to refuse because God said so. And Naboth had made up in his mind that he would be obedient to God’s law, and everything else would come 2nd.
Naboth could have been offered the world, yet he knew what God said, God said no, so no matter how pleasing the offer was, Naboth’s answer would be no, and that was his final answer.
And Ahab couldn’t understand it. Ahab did not share the same convictions about God’s law like Naboth did. And since he didn’t, he couldn’t understand why he wouldn’t take him up on his offer.
Now in this world, folks will think you our odd if you don’t follow their value system. They think it strange that you would put family above promotion, they think it odd that you would say no to sinful pleasures because of your faith, they think it odd that you would value integrity over profit.
Naboth had integrity, but Ahab wasn’t about to stop. He was going to get what he wanted one way or another. So after Naboth said no, Ahab did what every spoiled person does when they don’t get there way…he pouted. Look at vs. 4 “So Ahab went home, sullen and angry because Naboth the Jezreelite had said, "I will not give you the inheritance of my fathers." He lay on his bed sulking and refused to eat.”
Even though Ahab had almost the entire Kingdom at his disposal, he was throwing a fit because he didn’t have that one vineyard. Matthew Henry wrote that discontentment is a sin that is its own punishment.” If you are discontent you are never satisfied, and you are never happy.
As Ahab is pouting, enter his wife, the evil Jezebel. And Jezebel reminds Ahab that he is the king, and as a king he is entitled to get what he wants. Kings are entitled to get what they want, when they want.
Some people think that they since they are a somewhat good person, that somehow God owes them something. Well, friends let me tell you that God owes you nothing whatsoever. Which makes the fact that he has given you everything that much more impressive.
Well, Jezebel says that Ahab should act like a king. Now this woman is evil to the core. Naboth has insulted her husband by having the audacity to say no…so now this is no longer just about a vineyard, this is about revenge. So she concocts a plan. Look at vs. 7. Jezebel his wife said, "Is this how you act as king over Israel? Get up and eat! Cheer up. I’ll get you the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite." 8 So she wrote letters in Ahab’s name, placed his seal on them, and sent them to the elders and nobles who lived in Naboth’s city with him. 9 In those letters she wrote: "Proclaim a day of fasting and seat Naboth in a prominent place among the people. 10 But seat two scoundrels opposite him and have them testify that he has cursed both God and the king. Then take him out and stone him to death."
The orders were carried out, Naboth was not only killed, but now his reputation was ruined. He was now a blasphemer and Ahab got not only the vineyard he always wanted, but also the integrity Naboth had was now ruined in the people’s minds. Such injustice. And all over a piece of land.
The story of Ahab, king of Israel long ago. On first reading, it may sound like a simple story of selfishness and greed. Here is a man who, even though he was king over a whole nation, was not satisfied.
He wanted a little plot of land next door and he schemed to get it. He fit the description of Proverbs 21:26, All day long he craves for more,
Even though he already had a lot, it was not enough. IN a past reading of Our Daily Bread it read,, “Greed whispers in our ear that we would be happier if we had more money, more things, and more power. It creates discontent and a growing desire to do whatever it takes to gain position and possessions.”
However, someone might object and say, “Wait a minute Pastor. This proves that it doesn’t pay to live a life of integrity. Look where it got Naboth. He stood for his biblical convictions, and the rich guy won.
DID HE!?
Many times, people try to fill the spiritual vacuum in their hearts with material things when Jesus should be the real treasure of their lives. Eventually, Ahab got what he wanted, but his whole family suffered for it. What happens next should take away any temptation to be smug about your stuff.
17 Then the word of the LORD came to Elijah the Tishbite: 18 "Go down to meet Ahab king of Israel, who rules in Samaria. He is now in Naboth’s vineyard, where he has gone to take possession of it. 19 Say to him, ’This is what the LORD says: Have you not murdered a man and seized his property?’ Then say to him, ’This is what the LORD says: In the place where dogs licked up Naboth’s blood, dogs will lick up your blood—yes, yours!’ "
God sees the injustices and He says that payday is coming!
This graphic story is a graphic reminder to us all of the dangers of greed and covetousness. The opposite to this lifestyle is contentment.
WHAT IS CONTENTMENT?
Mr.Webster says to be content is, Desiring no more than what one has; to be satisfied.
Warren Wiersbe writes in his commentary on Philippians,
(a.) Contentment is not complacency, nor is it a (b) false peace based on ignorance. (c)The complacent believer is unconcerned about others, while the (d)contented Christian wants to share his blessings. (e) Contentment is not an escape from the battle, but rather an (f) abiding peace and confidence in the midst of the battle.
No matter what is happening in your life, you can know contentment. God’s word tells us how to do it. And now let’s turn our attention there. In Philippians 4:10-13 we discover the secret to contentment.
CONTENTMENT COMES WHEN YOU…
1. Rejoice in God’s UNLIMITED PROVISION(v.10)
Paul says, 10I rejoice greatly …. Paul expresses his thanks here to the Philippian believers for the gift they sent with Epaphroditus to Paul to help meet his needs. As he’ll say a little later in this passage of scripture, he is, for the moment, amply supplied – but that is not where his contentment comes from. In fact he says just the opposite –
10I rejoice greatly in the Lord…
there is a secret to being content when you’re experiencing plenty just as surely as there is a secret to being content when you’re in want.
All the way through Philippians Paul talks about attitude, & he is saying, “If you have an attitude that causes you to be grateful for everything God has given you, you’ll find contentment.”
Now, you can begin each day by saying, “God, this is going to be a tough day. I hate my life. I hate my work. I hate my spouse. I hate my family. I don’t know how in the world I’m going to make it.” ( I’m going to go eat some worms)
Or you can get up each morning & say, “God, thank you for the new day that you’ve given me. Thank you for opportunities that are before me. Help me today to be able to do something that will last for all eternity. Use this day, Father, to your glory. And use me to your glory, too.”
So if the secret to being content is not in amassing personal wealth or getting everything you want, how can we know contentment? Contentment comes when you REJOICE on GOD”S UNLIMITED PROVISION. Secondly, it is when,
2. Rely on God’s Unfailing Power
Paul continues, 11I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.
Two words are vitally important; learned and content.
The verb ‘learned’ means ‘learned by experience.’ Paul’s contentment was not something that came immediately once he was saved. He had to go through lifes College of hard knocks, in order to learn how to be content.
. 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.
The word ‘content’, actually means ‘contained’. It is a description of the man whose resources are within him so that he does not have to depend on substitutes outside. Another word we could use is ‘self sufficient.’ We would say something like, “He;s a self made man or she’s a self made woman.’
But Paul’s confidence was not in his own strength or sufficiency. You and I are not to be sufficient in ourselves, our sufficiency and strength is in the Lord.
in verse 13 where he says “I can do everything through him who gives me strength.”
NLT says…13 For I can do everything with the help of Christ who gives me the strength I need.
My favorite translation is Eugene Petersons paraphrase from the Message, Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am.
No matter what translation you prefer, they all say the same thing: the beliver has all the power within that He needs to be adequate for the demands of life ( Weirsbe)
If you will live your life relying upon the power that God provides – you will find that your daily circumstances will have less and less control over your state of mind – and contentment will begin to be the norm of your life.
It is the power of Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit, that gives us spiritual contentment.
Contentment comes when you REJOICE on GOD”S UNLIMITED PROVISION. Secondly, it is when,Rely on God’s Unfailing Power and finally when you
3. Rest in His Unchanging Promise
14 Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. 15 Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; 16 for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid again and again when I was in need. 17 Not that I am looking for a gift, but I am looking for what may be credited to your account. 18 I have received full payment and even more; I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. 19 And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. 20 To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Paul here tells his friends in Philippi of his gratitude for their financial help and support – recognizing that they have given of themselves in sacrificial ways. And he knows that they are probably going without some of the things they might have had if they hadn’t given so generously to his needs.
And so he says with utmost confidence: “My God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.”
The Message paraphrase puts it this way:
Phil. 4:19 (The Message) You can be sure that God will take care of everything you need, his generosity exceeding even yours in the glory that pours from Jesus.
I want you to hear the words of the Apostle Paul. Written from house arrest. Chained to a soldier. Unable to leave his home. Awaiting a trial that could end with his execution.
MY GOD WILL MEET ALL YOUR NEEDS.
On another occasion he wrote to a different set of friends the following words: (Read it aloud)
2 Cor. 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.
If you will surrender your life into his hands, you need never worry about having what you need. God gives you his holy spirit’s presence. He promises to never leave you or forsake you. And when you know Him you discover that he simply wants you to know that HE loves you enough to give you all you need. And every now and again, He will even surprise s with a blessing of what we ask and desire
Conclusion: ‘Personal testimony, House in Strathroy’: God said speak to the mountain….Do you love me that much that you would give me the desire of my heart?”
The mountain is our heart. Do we believe that God loves us enough to give us what we need or desire?
