The Great Gain Of Contentment 1 Timothy 6:6-8 Philippians 4:10-13 Psalms 23:1 2 Corinthians 9:8 Psalms 37:25-26 Proverbs 19:23 Ecclesiastes 5:19-20 Psalms 37:4 Psalms 37:16-19 11.09.15

THE GREAT GAIN OF CONTENTMENT

BREAD

6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 1 Timothy 6:6-8 (NIV)

10 I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength.    Philippians 4:10-13 (NIV)

1 The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.    Psalms 23:1 (NIV)

8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.   2 Corinthians 9:8 (NIV)

25 I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread. 26 They are always generous and lend freely; their children will be blessed. Psalms 37:25-26 (NIV)

23 The fear of the Lord leads to life: Then one rests content, untouched by trouble.  Proverbs 19:23 (NIV)

19 Moreover, when God gives any man wealth and possessions, and enables him to enjoy them, to accept his lot and be happy in his work--this is a gift of God. 20 He seldom reflects on the days of his life, because God keeps him occupied with gladness of heart.  Ecclesiastes 5:19-20 (NIV)

4 Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.   Psalms 37:4 (NIV)

16 Better the little that the righteous have than the wealth of many wicked; 17 for the power of the wicked will be broken, but the Lord upholds the righteous. 18 The days of the blameless are known to the Lord, and their inheritance will endure forever. 19 In times of disaster they will not wither; in days of famine they will enjoy plenty.    Psalms 37:16-19 (NIV)

BUTTER

“Contentment is not having what I want, but wanting what I have.”   Emalyn Spencer

“Our satisfaction and contentment in life does not come from riches but from righteousness.”   Robert J. Morgan

“Contentment isn’t a state of organization, a weight on the scale, a state of better: better kids, better marriage, better health, better house. Contentment is never a matter of circumstances; contentment is always a state of communion — a daily embracing of God.  A thankfulness for all the gifts – and moments and life, just as He gives it. Trying harder may only bring harder trials and contentment, it won’t be found in the resolutions, but in the revolutions – in the turning around to God.”   Ann Voskamp

“The secret of contentment is the realization that life is a gift, not a right.”   Anonymous

“Contentment is a learned secret that sadly many fail in their endeavors to obtain.  It is never found in more, better, bigger, new, marriages, children or whatever that whatever may be.  Oh, it may appear briefly with these faux gods we seek to enthrone but vanishes quickly after obtaining.  A contentment and peace which prevails is found only in Christ.  He wants to fill our wants – just ask Him.  He wants to be the desire of our hearts.   Because He knows it will make us whole so that we are no longer needy or just plain annoying to be around.  God fills completely when we allow Him.  He wants to fill us in order to spill us (which, btw, brings much joy to the soul) so that we leave the aroma of Christ in our spheres rather than the smell of death.  This is the abundance He came to give us – life to the fullest measure.  This is contentment.”   BHY 
  

“Are you in prison? You are if you feel better when you have more and worse when you have less. You are if joy is one delivery away, one transfer away, one award away, or one makeover away. If your happiness comes from something you deposit, drive, drink, or digest, then face it -- you are in prison, the prison of want.  Paul says that ‘godliness with contentment is great gain’ (1 Tim. 6:6 NIV). When we surrender to God the cumbersome sack of discontent, we don't just give up something; we gain something. God replaces it with a lightweight, tailor-made, sorrow-resistant attaché́ of gratitude.  What will you gain with contentment? You may gain your marriage. You may gain precious hours with your children. You may gain your self-respect. You may gain joy. You may gain the faith to say, ‘The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.’  Try saying it slowly. ‘The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.’  Again, ‘The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.’  Again, ‘The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.’”    Max Lucado

“You will see at once from reading the text (Philippians 4:11), upon the very surface, that contentment in all states is not a natural propensity of man. Ill weeds grow apace; covetousness, discontent, and murmuring, are as natural to man as thorns are to the soil. You have no need to sow thistles and brambles; they come up naturally enough, because they are indigenous to earth, upon which rests the curse; so you have no need to teach men to complain, they complain fast enough without any education. But the precious things of the earth must be cultivated. If we would have wheat, we must plough and sow; if we want flowers, there must be the garden, and all the gardener’s care. Now, contentment is one of the flowers of heaven, and if we would have it, it must be cultivated.”    Charles H. Spurgeon

HEART SAVOR

·       Contentment is a learned secret – it is not a natural outflowing of the flesh.

·       True contentment is found only in Jesus Who gives us life to the fullest measure.

·       Contentment flourishes with thanksgiving and thanksliving.