Philippians 4:11-13
How content are you? There are surely some who seem to have
all the pieces of contentment - career, health, family, wealth - but who are still
profoundly discontented. Contentment,
contrary to popular opinion, doesn't just mean being satisfied with what you
have. There is a “secret” to finding
contentment.
People who are not content have the tendency to push their happiness
forward.
I. The True Characteristics of “Contentment”
· True Contentment is an internal
disposition.
· True Contentment is a disposition of
the heart.
· True Contentment is a disposition of
the will; not a product of circumstances.
· True Contentment is a LEARNED
disposition.
A lack of contentment causes us to
look horizontally.
Contentment invites us to look vertically.
Contentment invites us to look vertically.
II. The True Course to “Contentment”
· Learn to give thanks in
all things. 1 Thessalonians 5:18
"Contentment is not the
fulfillment of what you want, but the realization of how much you
already have."
· Avoid complaining. Psalm 77:3 (KJV)
Complaint is the language of discontent.
· Avoid discontented people. Proverbs 27:20
One discontented person who tries to
make you responsible for their happiness can possess your mind
and destroy your peace and joy.
· Remember that little is much
when God is in it.
1 Corinthians 1:27-28
· Avoid coveting. Exodus 20:17
Living beyond your means creates bondage to debt and steals your
contentment.
When you covet another man’s property, you also are begging for another
man’s problems.
· Let go of
the past. Philippians 3:13
· Find your sufficiency
in Jesus Christ. Philippians 4:13
Contentment has learned the lesson
that Jesus is enough.
