The Contentment Principle

“Rich” is an American ideal, is it not? Americans read about the lifestyles of the rich, watch TV shows about the rich, and obsess over what it would be like to be rich. In fact, when someone reaches a certain level of wealth, they become famous simply for being rich. As American Christians, we are often tempted to believe that the goal of good stewardship is to get rich!

The problem is, “rich” is a slippery concept. According to a 2013 Census, the median household income in Fort Collins is $59,052. Put that number into www.globalrichlist.com and it shows that a middle income earner in Fort Collins, is in the top 0.2% earners in the world.

It turns out, “rich” is just a matter of perspective

So, if the average income earner in Fort Collins is already rich by world standards, what is the goal of our financial life? A better question is, what should our attitude be toward your financial life?

I believe the Bible points us to an attitude of contentment.

“6But 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. 9 Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” – 1 Timothy 6:6-10

The Apostle Paul was writing in a context where some people were exploiting the Gospel for personal financial gain (of course that never happens in our world). He warns against that by pointing to the truth; godliness with contentment is, itself, the greatest gain.

The NASB translates verse six this way, “But godliness actually is a means to great gain when accompanied by contentment.”

The call to contentment is a call to be satisfied with the good gifts we have received in Christ. Listen to other passages on contentment:

Phil. 4:11b-13, “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 all this through him who gives me strength.”

The Apostle Paul declares that the source of his strength is not the nature of his circumstances, or the balance of his budget, but Christ alone.

Hebrews 13:5, “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you and never will I forsake you.’”

We can be content because God has promised to never leave us or forsake us. In other words, our security is found in Christ, not in the balance of our bank account.

Luke 12:15, “Then he (Jesus) said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.””

Jesus is telling you, your quality of life is not attached to the brand of your car, or your number of toys.

All of these passages work together to show us that God wants to change our attitude from one of lack to one of abundance. He wants to change our perspective so that we can see all that we have, instead of all that we don’t have.

The Contentment Principle is this: True wealth comes from seeking after God, and being satisfied with what you already have in Christ.

The scripture calls us to contentment because, it says, the desire to get rich leads to temptation. Why? Because when your greatest desire is riches, it cannot be God and His kingdom.

Part of the reason scripture calls us to good stewardship is because when we manage God’s resources according to his will and purposes we are demonstrating that we desire God and his kingdom above all. The desire to get rich, shifts that desire toward self. When desire shifts toward self, we are easily tempted to buy things we can’t afford in order to look good, keep up with the neighborhood, or impress our friends. We are tempted to feed our selfish desires with things, not knowing it is an appetite that cannot be quenched.

The way to live with contentment in Fort Collins or America or around the world begins with desiring God and His kingdom above all else.

 

To learn more about about the Contentment Principle, click on the resources below from Emmaus Road, a Fort Collins church

Listen to The Contentment Principle sermon

Download the sermon outline

Download the sermon discussion guide

Contentment Prayer:

Father, You are a gracious and generous Father who bestows on us bountiful gifts and sufficient supplies to meet our every need. Forgive us for taking our eyes off the blessings we enjoy and setting our heart’s desires on material things that we don’t have. Help us to desire You and Your kingdom above all else, and be content with what you have given us. Amen. (Adapted from wwww.adailyprayer.wordpress.com)