Sermon snippet – Putting the Content into Being Content
INTRODUCTION – I Timothy 6:6-8- What makes up contentment? What is the content of contentment?
- LET EACH OF US BE CONTENT REGARDING POSSESSIONS
I Timothy 6:9-10 reminds us of the dangers of wealth. Would you like more? I would; I would like to think that I could be wealthy and invest wisely in lives and in the church. Would I? Even if I did, would the next generation? We know of snares such as addictions, lack of motivation, and the negative influences of fair-weather friends. Five times in the New Testament, the KJV uses the evocative “filthy lucre” (I Timothy 3:3,8; Titus 1:7, 11; I Peter 5:2) to describe the pursuit of the “Almighty Dollar”; it is more than “dishonest gain” or “greed,” as we find in newer translations. It is a desire that causes discontentment. When a coin hits the floor, it is common to stamp a foot on it and claim it; we don’t do that with anything else. To counter this strong pull in the wrong direction, we need an attitude of gratitude; this attitude about possessions is part of the content of being content.
- LET EACH OF US BE CONTENT REGARDING CIRCUMSTANCES BEYOND OUR CONTROL
Let us not confuse contentment and laziness. Some things are within our control: for example, the dishes can be washed, and the lawn can be mowed. In Philippians 4:11-12, we find that Paul is content even though he was in prison for preaching (and not because it was too long or boring – jail for that we could understand!) Paul saw this imprisonment as an opportunity to be a good example and to preach to the guards. I am sure that Paul appreciated the irony of being able to do in prison what he had been sent to prison for doing. Our approach to circumstances beyond our control is part of the content of being content.
- LET EACH OF US BE CONTENT REGARDING A SPOUSE
I know what you’re thinking: “It’s easy for him to be content.” How true! Ephesians 5:22-33 is a glorious passage about marriage. We have the opportunity to be distinctive in our culture, demonstrating what is good in the eyes of God. Of course, commitment to God’s good is always the right way to live. Moreover, the comparison of marriage to the relationship of Jesus and Christians increases the strength of this teaching. Loyalty to a spouse is part of the content of being content.
- LET EACH OF US BE CONTENT REGARDING IDENTITY
Psalm 139:13-14 – I have no interest in being controversial, but I am content to be white because God made me that way. I am content to be male because God made me that way in His image (Genesis 1:27 “male and female”). I am content to be an American, for God has placed me in the United States; there is no better place short of heaven. I am content to be a Christian; although it is my decision to be a believer in Christ, He did all of the work of salvation, including drawing me to Himself. The current apology mania is merely an avoidance of apologizing for and repenting of what an individual has actually done wrong. Acceptance of identity is part of the content of being content.
- LET EACH OF US BE CONTENT REGARDING ETERNAL LIFE
In Luke 2:25-30, Simeon was ready right then to depart to heaven. Paul, in II Timothy 4:6-8, indicates his readiness to immediately leave this life for the better one to come. I don’t expect for young people to feel quite as strongly as Simeon and Paul did – not yet. However, the grand reality of salvation is part of the content of being content.
CONCLUSION – I Timothy 6:6 – We have considered some of the content of being content. Note that this verse begins with “godliness,” which itself begins with a saving relationship with God the Son, Jesus Christ. He died on the Cross to take the full penalty for our sins, rose from the grave the third day as He said He would, ascended to heaven to prepare a place for us, and promises to return for anyone who will trust in Him and receive His gift of everlasting life. His “great gain” thus includes “contentment” now and forever. Be certain today that Jesus is your Savior. Ask, and you will receive.