Finding a place called “contentment"

We live in time where people are spending more money than what they make. Our living expenditures (housing, travel, medical, education, food, entertainment and other) are totaling more than what their annual income. The cost of living has some liability to the household income shortage. However, the blame is not solely on the conditions of financial state in America. The lack of contentment has partial responsibility in the reasons why many families are running short on cash.

Today, bread winners are bombarded with advertisements to get a new gadgets, upgrade your outdates version of whatever, keep current with the trend and be in the in crowd. Every year, marketing personnel strategizes ways to lure parents and children in buying the hottest new toy around Christmas time. They are very successful at it because we spend billions every year buying the hottest new item in spite of what’s currently already at home. Our eyes are glued to new things. Newness has a gravitation pull on our finances and somehow drains our pockets. Thereafter, we find ourselves in a state of “want” instead of a place of peace and contentment.

What will possess a person who’s making a good salary, live in a home that over 75% of the world would wish to have and lack nothing to steal, lie and embezzle money from others? Greed and lack of contentment!

What’s in common with the following high profile names?

• Madoff - $143 Billion Scam
• Trudeau - Millions on diet book scam
• AIG – $441 billion worth of securities

And the list goes on…

The LOVE of money causes devastating effects and wealth stealing.

Many fall into financial sin of greed or the love of money. Solomon tells us in Proverbs 14:15 “A simple man believes anything, but a prudent man gives thought to his steps.”

Let’s be wise and find a place on contentment in our lives. The Apostle Paul and King Solomon provides is Biblical Keys in finding a place called contentment. First, let define the location and state of contentment.

Contentment is being satisfied with God’s sovereign decision, direction and disposition and destiny for my life now and forever. Contentment is a place where God’s provision, peace, protection and prosperity has secured our entire being.

Before we depart to journey to a place called contentment, I have some important boarding questions.

1. Do you love money? The word love Apostle Paul used is philargyria [phil-r-gear-ee-a] which means greed for wealth or material gain.

2. Do you hunger to please others than God?

3. Do you know why you are not content today with the things you do or do not have?

Alan Greenspan, former US federal board reserve chairman used a term “irrational exuberance” to describe the behavior of the market as overvalued. This term clearly describes the value believers put on material possessions. The lack of contentment overvalues things. We have an irrational exuberance need to fulfill greed.

1. Godliness with contentment is great gain. - 1 timothy 6:6
2. It’s not yours to keep - 1 timothy 6:7
3. Being content with the necessities - 1 timothy 6:8
4. Beware of scams and get rich schemes – 1 Timothy 6:9, look well into the matter (Proverbs 14:15).
5. Keep the faith - 1 timothy 6:10
6. Learned to be content – Philippians 4:11
7. Rely on the Strength of the Lord - Philippians 4:13
8. You have everything you need in the Lord- 1 Corinthians 4:8
9. Shop with a plan – Proverbs 21:5
10. Haste makes waste. Do it right, take your time - – Proverbs 21:5

Hebrews 13:5 In Christ you can find true content.