THE KEY TO CONTENTMENT
TEXT- 1 TIMOTHY 6:6-8
INTRODUCTION
This morning I am going to continue with my series of messages from the book of First Timothy where we have been looking at what the Apostle Paul had to say regarding the Lord’s church.
Each of the chapters in this book emphasize some aspect of the Lord’s church.
In chapter six we have been looking at the relationship of money and the church.
In verses 1-10 Paul speaks to us regarding the love of money.
In verses 1-2 we looked at the relationship between money and our jobs and learned that our jobs are not simply an opportunity to make money but an opportunity to interact with those who are lost and influence them regarding god and our doctrines.
In verses 3-5 we looked at the relationship between money and religion and learned that the only reason why some people are religious is because it is a means of making money.
This morning our text is found in 1 Timothy 6:6-8 and the title of my message is, “The Key to Contentment.”
As we study what Paul has to say in these verses I would like you to ask yourself this question. “Do I depend or rely upon money to bring me happiness or make me content?”
Before you answer that question let’s take some time to define contentment. Basically there are two extremes we need to avoid concerning contentment. Some think that it is having a whimsical, “I- don’t- have- a- care- in- the- world” attitude. On the other end of the spectrum some seem to think that contentment is something to be avoided because to them it means being satisfied with mediocrity.
But contentment is not the same as complacency or mediocrity because the bible denounces both of these.
Our God is an excellent God and whatever our ministry might be it should always reflect his excellence.
So what is, contentment?
The Greek word used in our text is two words put together. The first one means “self” and the second means, “suffice.”
When put together the word “contentment” means, “the inner sufficiency which comes from god in what he has given to us and does not depend upon our material our outward circumstances.
2 Corinthians. 9:8, “And God is able to make all grace abound to you, that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed;”
Philippians. 4:11-13,19, “Not that I speak from want; for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. 12I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. 13i can do all things through him who strengthens me...[19] and my God shall supply all your needs according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”
Psalm 23:1-6, “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. 2he makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside quiet waters. 3he restores my soul; he guides me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 4even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil; for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me. 5thou dost prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; thou hast anointed my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the lord forever.”
As we consider what Paul says in our text concerning contentment I would like us to see what the three keys are to being content.