CONTENTMENT

Sunday Morning:  August 4, 2002

Text: Hebrews 13:5-6  "Let your conversation [style, manor of living] be without covetousness; and be content [present passive] with such things as ye have: for he hath said, (1) I will never leave thee, nor (2) forsake thee. 6. So that we may boldly say, (3) The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me."

ISRAEL FAILED TO ENTER THE LAND

Hebrews 3:10-11  "Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do alway err in their heart; and they have not known my ways. 11. So I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest.)"

DISCONTENTMENT

Numbers 21:4-6  "And they journeyed from mount Hor by the way of the Red sea, to compass the land of Edom: and the soul of the people was much discouraged because of the way. 5. And the people spake against God, and against Moses, Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? for there is no bread, neither is there any water; and our soul loatheth this light bread. 6. And the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died."

COVETOUSNESS OUT OF THE HEART

Mark 7:21-23  "For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, 22. Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: 23. All these evil things come from within, and defile the man."

COVET THINGS

Luke 12:15  "And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth."

INHERITANCE EFFECTED

1 Corinthians 6:9-10  "Know ye not that the unrighteous [unjust] shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, 10. Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God."

PLEASURES

James 4:1-3  "From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members? 2. Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. 3. Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts."

CONTENTMENT IS HAVING ENOUGH

Matthew 25:9  "But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves."

CONTENTMENT IS HAVING SUFFICIENT

John 6:7  "Philip answered him, Two hundred pennyworth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may take a little."

EVIDENCE OF CONTENTMENT

Luke 3:10-14  "And the people asked him, saying, What shall we do then (to be baptized)? 11. He answereth and saith unto them, He that hath two coats, let him impart (give, share) to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do likewise. 12. Then came also publicans [tax collectors] to be baptized, and said unto him, Master, what shall we do? 13. And he said unto them, Exact no more than that which is appointed you (honesty). 14. And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages."

CONTENTMENT EFFECTS GIVING

2 Corinthians 9:6-8  "But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. 7. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerfull [hilarious] giver. 8. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency [contentment] in all things, may abound to every good work:"

GRACE IS ENOUGH

2 Corinthians 12:9  "And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient (brings contentment) for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities (needs), that the power of Christ may rest upon me."

PAUL LEARNED

Philippians 4:11-13  "Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. 12. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed [initiated] both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."

WAIT IN SILENCE

Psalms 62:1  "Truly my soul waiteth [in silence] upon God: from him cometh my salvation."

Psalms 62:5  "My soul, wait [in silence] thou only upon God; for my expectation [hope] is from him."

CONTENTMENT IS PROFITABLE

1 Timothy 6:6-11  "But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. 9. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. 10. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. 11. But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow [pursue] after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness."

NEED SUPPLIED

Philippians 4:19  "But my God shall supply all your need (necessity, verse 16) according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus."

OUR FATHER KNOWS

Matthew 6:30-33  "Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? 31. Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? 32. (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.

BEFORE FOOD AND CLOTHES

33. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."

CONTENT, NOT CAREFUL

Philippians 4:5-7  "Let your moderation [patience, forbearing] be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand (He will not leave us or forsake us). 6. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing (be content) by prayer (worship) and supplication (submission to His will) with thanksgiving let your requests (petitions) be made known unto God. 7. And the peace (part of contentment) of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep [guard] your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."