Contentment and Desires

“Let your conduct (lifestyle) be without covetousness (love of money); be content with such things as you have. For He, Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

“Let them shout for joy and be glad, who favor my righteous cause; and let them say continually, ‘Let the Lord be magnified, Who has pleasure in the prosperity of His servant.” Psalms 35:27

These Two Verses Seem to Contradict Each Other

1. The greatest possession in life is Jesus, it is eternal.

2. The second greatest is godly wisdom. It is also eternal.

   a. Your foundation for future blessings is a relaxed and content attitude about your present life in Jesus Christ, AND…

   b. Continual growth in the Word and giving, knowing God gives back generously.

   c. God looks for contented Christians to bless with more.

3. Contentment - The greatest possessions in life are not things.

4. Don’t settle into contentment and forget your desires.

   a. God gave you the ability to desire more of your life.

   b. Contentment is the stability that keeps your desires in check.

   c. Contentment is the proper foundation for your desires to be built on.

   d. Contentment is your guarantee of durable riches.

5. Contentment says, “if my desires never come, I am still happy. I could live like this for the rest of my life.”

There Will Always Be People Who Have More Than Us and People Who Have Less

1. The Bible speaks little of the very wealthy and the very poor.

2. The Bible seems to be addressed primarily to those in between - the middle class, moderate-income of society.

3. Wealthy - - You - - Poor (misers).

4. What should your attitude be toward both?

   “When you sit down to eat with a ruler,
   Consider carefully what is before you;

   And put a knife to your throat
   If you are a man given to appetite.
   Do not desire his delicacies,
   For they are deceptive food.

   Do not overwork to be rich;
   Because of your own understanding, cease!
   Will you set your eyes on that which is not (is temporary)?
   For riches certainly make themselves wings;
   They fly away like an eagle toward heaven.

   Do not eat the bread of a miser,
   Nor desire his delicacies.” Proverbs 23:1-6

   a. A desire to be like the very rich or the miser are both an example of the love of money.

   b. It is likely that neither are happy or content.

Set Your Desires on Wisdom - She Has Two Hands

“Happy is the man who finds wisdom,
And the man who gains understanding;
For her proceeds are better than the profits of silver,
And her gain than fine gold.
She is more precious than rubies,
And all the things you may desire cannot compare with her.
Length of days is in her right hand,
In her left-hand riches and honor.” Proverbs 3:13-16

1. The right hand is the prominent hand.

   a. The right contains health.

   b. The left contains wealth.

Wisdom Has Always Had Two Hands