Contentment Strong

“The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence” . . . this phrase is used to describe our dissatisfaction with what we have.  It’s not just the grass that’s greener, it’s the house that’s bigger, it’s the car that’s faster, it’s the clothes that are more stylish, it’s the iPod that’s a newer generation, it’s the friends that are more popular, it’s the girlfriend that’s prettier, it’s the boyfriend that’s more handsome, it’s the jumpshot that’s more accurate, it’s the skin that’s clearer, it’s the muscles that are stronger, it’s the grade point average that’s higher, it’s the parent’s that are cooler and not so strict, etc.  Get the picture?  It really doesn’t matter what it is, dissatisfaction simply an attitude that if we don’t have it, we want it!

God warned against dissatisfaction in Exodus 20:17 and Deuteronomy 5:21 when He said, “you shall not covet”.  Covetousness is simply a desire or longing for something.  When we look over someone else’s “fence” we are not to desire or long for the things that they possess.  Covetousness is a sin that destroys our happiness and joy.  What type of strength do we need in order to resist dissatisfaction and covetousness?

READ:  Philippians 4:11-13

The strength we need to resist covetousness is contentment.  Contentment strong is being SATISFIED in God and in need of NOTHING else to bring us joy!  To “be content” means to be “self-sufficient” or “independent of external circumstances”.  In contrast to dissatisfaction and covetousness, contentment is an attiude we are all capable of attaining.  How do we gain contentment?

Contentment is a SECRET that is LEARNED (Phil. 4:11) – There is a whole universe of things available for us to learn.  We can learn to read, write, and do math in the classroom.  We can learn to play a sport on the court or playing field.  We can learn to drive behind the wheel of a car.  Until we learn these things and unlock the secret of being able to do it, we will never enjoy the benefits of learning how to do it.  Paul says that contentment is a “secret” that can be “learned”.  If we are unwilling to learn we will continue to be miserably dissatisfied and commit the sin of covetousness.  Contentment is a secret only those willing to learn will enjoy the benefits of.

Contentment does not change with our SITUATION or CIRCUMSTANCE (Phil. 4:12) – We cannot control whether it is hot or cold outside, but we can choose to enjoy the season.  In the winter, when it is cold, we can build snowmen or go sledding.  In the summer, when it is hot, we can go to the pool or the beach.  Paul says that contentment is possible no matter what our “situation” and “circumstance” is in life.  One secret of being content is knowing the difference between things we need and things we want.  1 Timothy 6:6-8 says, “godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world.  But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content”.  A simple way we resist the temptation of dissatisfaction is to always be grateful for the basic necessities in life and expect nothing more.

Contentment requires strength that comes from GOD (Phil. 4:13) –  Philippians 4:13 is a very popular verse that is often used as a blank check from God that He will give us strength to do anything and everything we put our minds to in life.  In reality, Philippians 4:13 is a promise from God to give us “strength” to “do” all that is necessary to remain satisfied whether we find ourselves in circumstances where we are lacking or in abundance.  When we are dissatisfied we must remember that God supplies the strength we need to be content.

CONCLUSION
Hebrews 13:5-6 says, “Keep yourself free from love of money, and be content with what you have for He has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’ So we can confidently say, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?’”  Contentment is possible when we are convinced that the God of the universe will never leave us nor forsake us.  John Piper said, “God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him”. Contentment is believing with all confidence that God is enough!  Is God ENOUGH in your life?