How do we find contentment? Well the text talks to us this morning about how great contentment is, it tells us it is of great worth, it is of a great value when it’s paired with godliness.
Now I think in order for us to be content we need to look at what makes us discontented.
So just in case you try and follow along the scripture we will be moving from back to front today.
Look all you have to do is turn on the TV and look at the news or drive around and look at people or just listen to what people talk about and you can see that people today aren’t content about anything.
You ever heard anyone say If only I had more money, if only I had more of this or some of that or one of those? I hear it all the time sounds of a discontented life.
Even our children want so much and never seem to have enough.
I remember when I was a kid I was happy if I had a shoebox full of thread spools to play with and boy howdy if I got a real toy bought from the store.
I know it’s hard to teach our kids to be content when every time you turn on the TV they are advertising the newest, greatest toy. When our grandson Gauge who already has a toy room full of toys sees a commercial on TV it seems like this phrase is wired in his system “I Want one of those”.
It’s the same with adults I want, I want, I want!!!
I want a new car, I want a new house, I want a new boat, I want a new tractor, I want a new life I’m not content with the one I have now.
We fall into this trap of consumerism and it’s hard to change that mindset and this is where I think it starts.
The love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. Including discontentment.
Now money in itself isn’t bad as a matter of fact I like to have a little money in my pocket, you can’t function in today’s world without it.
Now I know that there are plenty of folks here whose jobs involve dealing with money and money issues. Some of you may deal with hundreds of thousands of dollars a day. I know people who have tons of money and are always looking for ways to make more. And hey that’s ok as long as they don’t love money so much they neglect what’s right.
Myself, I’m just happy dealing with 5, 10’s and an occasional 20 every now and then.
But our drive to achieve the American dream, to get that bigger better deal is what has led many people to start a love affair with money. I’ve been there, I know.
More stuff does not equal contentment.
We wander through life seeking contentment. That’s what we all want is to be satisfied we look in a lot of places for it. We work ourselves to death to try and keep up with the joneses and at what price? We neglect our families; we neglect our relationship with God.
Loving money and stuff starts us down a slippery slope and believe me when I tell you no one is immune to the ruin and destruction that greed causes. How many of you have seen in the news where PTA chair and Church treasurers have fallen prey to the crime of embezzlement. Believe me it happens. So if you’re having a love affair with money you need to check yourself step back and look is it worth it?
We all have a desire to be satisfied, we all seek contentment but we look in the wrong places, we try and fill a void in our soul through many addictive ways, workaholic, alcoholic, drug addict, sex addict, all of these people are seeking the same thing, they are all seeking something in their lives to fill a void.
You know what they aren’t going to find real contentment at the bottom of that bottle, or with the next woman, or with the next hit. Because it’s not there, it’s only going to cause them to want more and more and they will never be satisfied and they will never experience true wealth.
You know why? Because it’s not found in worldly things, it’s not found in money and stuff, not in drugs sex or alcohol. It’s only found in Godliness.
The text tells us that if we have enough food and clothes be content, be happy with what you have and make the best of it.
Did you wake up dry this morning with a roof over your head? That’s great because I have seen people who don’t have that luxury.
No one’s here naked so that’s a plus all of us have clothes. And I would be willing to say more than one set of clothes and shoes, be happy you’re blessed. I have met people whose feet had never been in a pair of shoes, and they were smiling.
Have you eaten breakfast? Had some coffee? Going to lunch? Some people don’t know where their next meal will come from.
Be content be satisfied that you have a home, a wife, a family you are blessed.
We came into the world with nothing and we leave with nothing.
It’s true you can’t take it with you. No U-hauls are ever behind the hearse.
You want to be rich? Put God first, build a relationship with Christ, and spend time with your friends and family. Be happy with what you have. Here is how you find true contentment (Read 1st Timothy 6: 11)
That’s where true wealth is. I challenge you this week to inventory your life and count your blessings. Spend more time with your family and friends; enjoy life you’ll be glad you did.
