Sunday, June 2, 2013 am
Qualities of a Pure Heart – 5
a.
Contentment means, “to
be sufficient, to be possessed of sufficient strength, to be strong, to
be enough for a thing” (Vine’s)
i.
Words associated with
contentment – satisfied, moderation, sufficient, enough.
It is the antithesis of one who is dissatisfied and covetous.
ii.
It is an attitude of
mind (and thus a quality of the heart) – it is not about what you have
or don’t’ have. It is about
how you view your current state of affairs.
Are you satisfied?
Are you accepting of whatever situation you are dealing with, without
complaining about?
iii.
It does NOT mean
laziness or complacency. Being
content should NOT be confused with such things.
Laziness is a refusal to act and is strongly condemned (Prov.
6:10-11, 20:13, 18:9, 2 Thess. 3:6-7, 10, Heb. 6:12, etc.).
Complacency is indifference toward your current status – also
condemned (Rom. 12:11, Rev. 3:15-18, James 4:17, etc.)
iv.
Contentment is striving
to be your BEST within the circumstances you find yourself.
b.
Problems with a lack of
contentment – we live in a very discontent society today.
And it is fueled by our abundance, our materialistic attitudes
and our media. We have
everything at our disposal.
We have gadgets that are designed to make life easier, more efficient,
and more satisfying (or so we think).
But the truth is that because we have so much, we are conditioned
to want even more. We are
even told that we deserve it!
Is it any wonder that contentment is such a struggle?
Contentment can lead to jealousy & envy, debt, worldliness, a sour
disposition – bitterness, etc. All
these attributes are contrary to God’s word.
c.
The Bible and being
content
There are 3 main
passages in the New Testament that deal with contentment
i.
Phil. 4:10-13 – writing from prison in Rome, Paul is grateful of the ability of these
brethren to support him (again).
Paul is writing this letter to encourage these brethren who are
facing difficulties as they stand for the truth.
It is a letter encouraging joy, even in troubling times.
Contentment is a part of being able to rejoice always (Phil. 4:4).
“I have learned in whatever state
I am to be content.” The word
content in this verse actually means to be satisfied in whatever
circumstances one finds himself.
Vine’s defines the word as, “sufficient in oneself”.
It is interesting that while Paul is appreciative of their fellowship
(and needing it), he begins by saying, “Not
that I speak in regard to need.”
The point is that even though he DID need relief, he would have
made it without it, that is, he would have made the BEST of his
circumstance even if the brethren at Philippi were unable to help him.
That is the attitude of contentment.
Notice also WHEN he
needed to be content (vs.12): When abased (lowly and humbling
circumstances) AND in abundance.
How often do we think about contentment in our abundance?
In some ways, that is when it is MORE challenging!
Ecclesiastes 5:10, “He who
loves silver will not be satisfied with silver; Nor he who loves
abundance, with increase. This also is vanity.”
Think of all the warnings of wealth, which is addressed in our
next text.
ii.
1 Tim. 6:6-8 – godliness with contentment is great gain.
In a context where Paul is warning young Timothy to be weary of false
teachers, noting that many “suppose that godliness is a means of gain”,
we find our admonition.
We have discussed godliness in previous lessons, a word meaning
one who is pleasing to God and striving to serve Him.
In many of the traits we have discussed, godliness is THE RESULT
of developing them (cf. 2 Pet. 2:5-7).
In this text we are told, “godliness with contentment is GREAT GAIN”
(of great value).
We brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry
nothing out (vs. 7) – obviously he is speaking of material
possessions, stuff! And it
is true, there is no U-Haul behind the hearse, and the treasures buried
with the Pharaoh’s were left behind as the body decayed.
Friends, that is why it is FUTILE to put your trust in the wealth
of this world (1 John 2:17, Matt. 6:19-21, etc.)
With food and clothing, be content – the basics – we call them,
“food, clothing and shelter.”
The point to be made here is that there is actually very little
that we really have to have to survive.
IF we didn’t have certain things it would make life more
difficult, but are they really necessary?
Consider our technology in this!
Technology is good, and it seems that in the first century
Christians used whatever developments were at their disposal, but we can
become so dependent on it that it becomes a distraction.
NOTE: I am not saying to do away with technology (I actually
believe such would be foolish), but as with everything else, put it in
its proper domain and BE CONTENT with whatever you have.
WARNING: 9-10 – Those who desire to be rich (i.e. they are NOT content)
“fall into temptation and a snare
(a trap) and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in
destruction and perdition.”
VS 10, warns about the love of money.
One who loves money will NOT be content!
iii.
Heb. 13:5, “Let
your conduct be without covetousness; Be content with such things as you
have…” In this text we
are warned against covetousness (desirous or greedy for wealth, to lust
after things). Rather be
content with what you have.
Other passages with
relevance
i.
2 Cor. 9:8 –
“sufficiency” same word as 1 Tim. 6:6.
Dealing with giving bountifully and cheerfully, Paul notes that
God is able to make all grace abound (i.e. to bless us accordingly), “that
you always having all sufficiency
in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.”
ii.
Matt. 16:26, “For
what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world and loses his own
soul? Or what will a man
give in exchange for his soul?”
iii.
Luke 3:14, “Be
content with your wages” – a message from John the Baptist to
soldiers about righteous living.
iv.
Prov. 30:7-9, “Two
things I request of You (Deprive me not before I die): Remove falsehood
and lies far from me; Give me neither poverty nor riches— Feed me with
the food allotted to me; Lest I be full and deny You, And say, “Who is
the LORD?” Or lest I be poor and steal, And profane the name of my God.”
v.
Prov. 24:19-20, “Do
not fret because of evildoers, Nor be envious of the wicked; For there
will be no prospect for the evil man; The lamp of the wicked will be put
out.”
vi.
Prov. 15:16, “Better
is a little with the fear of the Lord, than great treasure with
trouble.”
d.
Developing a content
heart
i.
IT is something that is learned – Phil. 4:11-13, Paul said, “I have LEARNED in
whatever state I am to be content.”
You have to work at it and make up your mind to be content.
ii.
Count your many blessings – not only physically, but also spiritually.
iii.
Realize what is really important. After a
disaster, sometimes perspective changes.
Suddenly, all that stuff isn’t important.
Having your family safe and sound is.
Being alive is!
iv.
Give thanks
– gratitude to God is a humbling experience.
v.
Learn to trust God and appreciate Him
– His providential care, His grace, and goodness, etc.
Note also Phil. 4:13, “I can do
all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
Friends you CANNOT outdo God in blessings!
vi.
Live within your means – this is the application.
Credit is often a destroyer of contentment.
It makes getting what you cannot afford right now (which is
hardly ever the bare necessities) attainable.
And when you realize you can get more, with more credit, you do.
The problems are many!
a.
What is selfishness?
Selfishness is placing one’s own interests over that of others.
It is associated with vanity, greed, hatred, lust, etc.
Unselfishness is placing the interest of others over your own.
It is being willing to share what you have.
b.
Problems with being
selfish. How often do we find ourselves actually thinking about
ourselves? Even in helping
others, it can be with self-serving motives (Luke 18:12 – the Pharisee;
Acts 5:1-11 - Ananias and Sapphira; 1 Cor. 13:3 – giving your
possessions without love, etc.).
Do we ever find ourselves tearing down others so that we can build
ourselves up? Selfishness is
often a contributor to division, stagnation in a congregation, &
unfulfilled works and needs in the church.
It can hinder prayers (Jas. 4:3).
It can adversely affect a marriage and family relationships.
Selfishness is a factor behind one’s lack of self-control and sin.
He simply doesn’t want to give it up.
Selfishness is one of the works of the flesh – Gal. 5:19-21 – selfish
ambitions.
It is described as a product of the wisdom of this world – James
3:13-16.
James 4:1 – wars and fights comes from your desires for pleasure and
your lust.
c.
The Bible and
unselfishness
i.
Examples –
1.
God – John 3:16 – God so
loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son.
2.
Jesus – John 15:13, “Greater
love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for His friends.”
He left heaven to come to this earth to reveal God to us.
3.
Paul – as you examine
his life you see one willing to give it all up for Christ (Phil. 3:7-9)
and for his brethren (cf. 2 Cor. 12:15).
4.
Barnabas – Acts 4:36-37,
had land and sold it and laid the money at the apostle’s feet to help
needy saints.
5.
2 Corinthians 8:1-5 –
the brethren in Macedonia, in their deep poverty, they gave to help
brethren in Judea who had needs.
ii.
Phil. 2:3-4, “Let
nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of
mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look
out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.”
iii.
James 3:17 – contrasting
the wisdom of this world, the wisdom from above is “willing
to yield.”
iv.
1 Cor. 13:4, Love “does
not seek its own”.
v.
Rom. 15:1-2, “We
then who are strong ought to bear with the scruples of the weak, and not
to please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good,
leading to edification.”
vi.
Heb. 13:16, “But
do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is
well pleased.”
vii.
1 Tim. 6:18 the rich are
commanded to do good, be rich in good works, ready to give and willing
to share.
viii.
Give to those who cannot
give back – Luke 14:12-14 – when you give a feast, invite the poor,
maimed, lame and blind, for they cannot repay you, but God takes note.
d.
Developing an unselfish
heart
i.
Consider the greatest giver – God. Where
would we be if God were selfish?
ii.
Strive to think about others – it is a command! We need to do this as we consider the
impact of our actions and decision, but also simply being willing to
share!
iii.
Realize the true value of stuff! It WILL burn up!
iv.
Realize that life is not about you. The Christian is
a servant, both of God and others.
v.
Start giving
- you just have to do it.
Lay by in store as you ought to, to the church.
Look for opportunities to do good for others.
Be willing to share you possessions.
NOTE:
This is not to say we are to act foolishly in giving away what we have,
but we still need to give!
vi.
Thought: Is
there a sense in which we do need to think about ourselves? Absolutely –
“Save yourselves” (Acts 2:40) “Work out your own salvation.” (Phil.
2:12)
In our lives we are striving to prepare for heaven.
That is our ultimate goal.
Don’t let ANYONE or ANYTHING keep you from that goal.
If you miss heaven, you’ve missed it all.
BUT, our reward in heaven comes from being selfless toward God
and others. Even to
the point of giving up your life for Him.
And
thus we can see more qualities of the pure heart.
What about you? As
you examine your life, are you content and unselfish?
Perhaps you need to work on these things.
If so, make it a goal to serve others.