Wednesday, April 18, 2012

CONTENTMENT


In the last blog we talked about how God feels about a covetous attitude. We saw that covetousness is really an idol---it is putting something or someone in the place of God---whenever we do this the red light should come on and we should hear, "danger Will Robinson, danger.

Today's blog deals with what we need to replace a covetous attitude with---it is called CONTENTMENT.

Now say it in a sentence:
A consistent attitude of contentment can bring lasting joy and lead you out of the wilderness of covetousness


Let me share a very powerful passage from the Scriptures that talks about contentment:

1 Timothy 6:6-10

King James Version (KJV)
 6But godliness with contentment is great gain.
 7For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
 8And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
 9But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.
 10For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.



Notice something very important in verse 6 of our passage? contentment has a partner---it is godliness. Let me put this thought together for you---godliness is as  Gills Exposition of the Entire Bible notes:

"By "godliness" is not meant any particular grace, but all the graces of the Spirit of God; as faith, hope, love, fear, &c. the whole of internal religion, as it shows itself in outward worship, and in all acts of holiness of life and conversation; and which the doctrine that is according to godliness teaches and engages to; and this is gain, very great gain indeed." http://bible.cc/1_timothy/6-6.htm

 Take the above definition of godliness and couple it with this definition of contentment: 


James MacDonald tells us in his book Lord Change My Attitude Before It's To Late:

 "contentment is a satisfaction with God's sufficient provision."


   Without the  biblical principle of contentment at work in our hearts we will be left wandering  about in the wilderness of life trying to satisfy our longings, but as only a cold cup of water can satisfy a thirsty man, only God can satisfy the thirsty soul.

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