Qualities of a pure heart - 5
Contentment “To be sufficient, to be
possessed of sufficient strength, to be strong, to be enough for a thing.” (Vine’s)
Contentment Satisfied, moderation,
sufficient, enough.The opposite of covetous or
dissatisfied.An attitude of mind. How do
you view your current state of affair!
Contentment Does NOT mean laziness or
complacency. Laziness is refusal to act (Prov. 6:10-11, 20:13, 2 Thess. 3:6-7, 10, Heb. 6:12)Complacency – Rom. 12:11, Rev. 3:15-18, Jas. 4:17
ContentmentDiscontent leads to…Jealousy, envy, debt,
worldliness, bitterness, etc.
Contentment Philippians 4:10-13 In whatever state I am -
sufficient with what he has. “Not that I speak in regard to
need.”WHEN needed – both in want
AND abundance! Eccl. 5:10
Contentment 1 Tim. 6:6-8 “godliness with contentment is
great gain.” We brought nothing into this
world…(1 Jn. 2:17, Matt. 6:19-21)
Content with food and clothing – Do we really need everything we have?
Contentment Heb. 13:5 “Let your conduct be without
covetousness. Be content with such things that you have.”
Contentment 2 Cor. 9:8, “sufficiency” same
word as content! Matt. 16:26, “What profit is
it to a man if he gains the whole world…”
Luke 3:14, “Be content with your wages…”
Contentment Prov. 30:7-9, “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.”
Contentment 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.”
Contentment Prov. 15:16, “Better is a little
with the fear of the Lord, than great treasure with trouble.”
ContentmentDeveloping a content heart
It is something that is learned – Phil. 4:11-13 Count your blessingsRealize what is really importantGive thanks
Contentment
Developing a content heart Learn to trust God and appreciate Him – Phil. 4:13 Live within your means!
Unselfish!Selfishness is placing one’s
own interests over that of others. Vanity, greed, hatred, lust, etc.
Unselfishness is placing the interest of others above your own. Willing to share!
Unselfish! Problems with selfishness – we
think about ourselves, even in helping others (cf. Lk. 18:12, Ac. 5:1-11, 1 Cor. 13:3)Tearing down others, division, stagnation in a congregation.Hindered prayers. Adversity in relationships. Lack of self-control, entitlement attitude, Gal. 5:19-21, Jas. 3:13-16, 4:1
Unselfish
Examples God, the ultimate example - John 3:16 Jesus, John 15:13 Paul, Phil. 3:7-9, 2 Cor. 12:15
Unselfish
Examples Barnabas – Acts 4:36-37 Macedonian brethren – 2 Cor. 8:1-5
Unselfish Phil. 2:3-4, “Let nothing be
done through selfish ambition...”
James 3:17, The wisdom from above is, “willing to yield”
1 Cor. 13:4, Love, “does not seek its own”
Unselfish Rom. 15:1-2, “bear with
the scruples of the weak...” Heb. 13:16, “Do good and
share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased”
1 Tim. 6:18 Luke 14:12-14
Unselfish
Developing an unselfish heartConsider the greatest giver – God! We can never outgive Him! Strive to think about others! Realize the true value of stuff!
UnselfishDeveloping an unselfish heart
Start giving and sharing! Is there a sense in which we do think about ourselves? Phil. 2:12, Rom. 12:3 – we are to save ourselves, but to do so requires we think of others!
Are you content of heart? Do you think
of others?