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Godliness with contentment
Song: You are the pillar that holds my life (x2) Introduction: Contentment is one of the great secrets of a happy and fulfilled life. Nothing and I repeat nothing on this earth can give you true happiness. If you do not make up your mind to be contented then you’ll live a life of misery all the way through. I will be discussing this topic under three sub-headings: 1. Exhortation of contentment 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. (1 Timothy 6:6-8) 17 for he will take nothing with him when he dies, 21 and said: "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised." (Job 1:21) God loves you more than you can imagine. I remember the Lord speaking to me so clearly: ‘My son, ultimately I am taking you to heaven. But whatever you will need [food, shelter and clothes etc] between now and then, I will provide. Do not ask me how, when and where. I will provide.’ So you can trust God for your wellbeing and protection. 20 Then Jacob made a vow, saying, "If God will be with me and will watch over me on this journey I am taking and will give me food to eat and clothes to wear 21 so that I return safely to my father's house, then the LORD will be my God. (Genesis 28:20-21). 5 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." 6So we say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?" (Hebrews 13:5-6). 16 Better a little with the fear of the LORD than great wealth with turmoil. (Proverbs 15:16). 11 I 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. (Philippians 4:11-13). 15 Then he said to them, "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions." (Luke 12:15). 2. Avoiding the act of covetousness 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. (1 Timothy 6:9-10). 20 A faithful man will be richly blessed, but one eager to get rich will not go unpunished. (Proverbs 28:20). Achan's sin: 21 When I saw in the plunder a beautiful robe from Babylonia, two hundred shekels of silver and a wedge of gold weighing fifty shekels, I coveted them and took them. They are hidden in the ground inside my tent, with the silver underneath." (Joshua 7:21). See the folly of those that promise themselves secrecy in sin. The righteous God has many ways of bringing to light the hidden works of darkness. Achan's sin began in the eye. He saw these fine things, as Eve saw the forbidden fruit. These affected his heart and stirred up covetous desires, which influenced and directed his hands to take them. See what comes of suffering the heart to walk after the eyes, and what need we have to make this covenant with our eyes, that if they wander they shall be sure to weep for it. It proceeded out of the heart. They that would be kept from sinful actions must mortify and check in themselves sinful desires, particularly the desire of worldly wealth. Had Achan looked upon these things with an eye of faith, he would have seen they were accursed things, and would have dreaded them; but looking on them with an eye of sense only, he saw them as goodly things, and coveted them. When he had committed the sin, he tried to hide it. As soon as he had got this plunder, it became his burden, and he dared not to use his ill-gotten treasure. Here we see the deceitfulness of sin. Sin is a very troublesome thing, not only to a sinner himself, but to all about him. We read in 1 Kings 21:1-16 the covetousness of Ahab and Jezebel and the consequences later in their lives. 27 A greedy man brings trouble to his family, but he who hates bribes will live. (Proverbs 15:27). “Woe to them! They have taken the way of Cain; they have rushed for profit into Balaam's error; they have been destroyed in Korah's rebellion.” (Jude 1:11). 3. Fighting the good fight of faith 11But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. 12Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 13In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you 1 4to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, (1 Timothy 6:11-13). "No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs—he wants to please his commanding officer." Conclusion: Remember your soul is greater than any created thing and only God the creator of your soul can satisfy you. So come to Jesus for life in abundance (John 10:10). God bless you. Evang. Oseh J. B. |