Text: 1 Timothy 6:6-11
Title: How to find Contentment with no money down.
Introduction
“I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation …(Philippians 4:12b)
How to be content in any and every situation is a secret most people never get to learn.
According to our text, where do most people believe the secret of contentment is found?
Most people believe the secret of contentment is found in money and possessions.
The reason I’m never content is because I don’t have a better paying job.If I had a bigger house… I’d be content.
The secret of contentment is not found in money and possessions for several reasons.
1.“People who seek contentment in money and possessions lose everything in the end. (V7)
“We brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.”
2.People who seek contentment in money and possessions face more temptations. (V9)
“People who want to get rich fall into temptations.”
When hesitant to get involved in some one’s “ get rich quick gimmick” what do they always ask you as a response? “Don’t you want to get rich?”
3.People who seek contentment in money and possessions are always the easiest to trap. (V9)
“People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap
A trap never looks like a trap to the person it intends to trap.It’s not a trap it’s a sale!
4.People who seek contentment in money and possessions lack for better judgment (V9)
“People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires…”
Foolish= a crazed passion which blocks out better judgment
5.People who seek contentment in money and possessions are more likely to be plunged into ruin and destruction. (V9)
“People 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.”
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.”
Matthew 6:19-20
The fundamental thought here is not annihilation, but unavoidable distress and torment.
6.People who seek contentment in money and possessions are never far from all kinds of evil.
“For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.” (V10)
7.People who seek contentment in money and possessions can’t become productive Christians.
“Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many grief’s.” (V10b)
How we handle our money and possessions directly affects our relationship with God.
“So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches.” Luke 16:11
Possessions are a major competitor with God for control of our lives.
“No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” Matthew 6:24
The title of this message is “How to find contentment with no money down.”
Contentment is not about money and possessions
“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.” Philippians 4:12
What is the secret of contentment?
Contentment is always an inside job.
What has to be in us in order for us to learn the secret of contentment?
1.Godliness (V6)
Godliness= devout, godly. Devotion, piety towards God
Contentment comes from seeking God, not things.
Read 1 Timothy 1:12-17
1. Mercy
2. Grace
3. faith
4. love
5. patience
6. strength
2.Gratitude (V8)
“But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.”
“Gratitude is the heart of contentment. Gratitude means appreciating what you have rather than yearning for what you don’t. When gratitude dominates our thoughts and feelings, we are sure to be deeply satisfied.”
ILLUS: William Boice once wrote:
"-- Dear Lord, I have been re-reading the record of the rich young ruler and his obviously wrong choice. But it has set me thinking. No matter how much wealth he had, he could not -
ride in a car,
have any surgery,
turn on a light,
buy penicillin,
watch TV,
wash dishes in running water,
type a letter,
mow a lawn,
fly in an airplane,
or talk on the phone.
if he was rich, then what am I?
3.Giving (v7)
“For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of the world.”
An attitude of gratitude stimulates giving
There are only two ways we can leave this world with nothing? Either everything is taken away from us or everything is given away by us.
I’d rather give it away than have it taken away.
