Contentment Over Greed 06 Aug 17

Opening Video: I Walked on the Moon: Dinner Party, Brian Regan

3 Steps to Move Toward Contentment:

1. Trust God completely
2. Remember life is short
   Video: Ohio Man Buried Astride His Beloved Harley
3. Be Grateful for what you have

1. Read and discuss the following from gotquestions.org:
   • Question: What does the Bible say about contentment? Answer: One dictionary defines contentment as “the state of being mentally or emotionally satisfied with things as they are.” Today it is rare that we find anyone who is truly content with his or her condition in life. The Bible has a great deal to say about contentment—being satisfied with what we have, who we are, and where we’re going.
2. Think about and discuss the following:
   1. Are you satisfied with what you have?
      • Think back to your childhood.
      • Do you remember “wishing” for something a family member or friend had?
      • Share what you wished for.  Did you get it?  Did it bring you satisfaction?
      • As an adult what’s the last thing you remember “wishing” you could have?
      • Did you get it?  Did it bring you satisfaction?
      • If you didn’t get it, do you still want it?
   2. Are you satisfied with who you are?
      • When was the last time you had a negative thought about your appearance, your abilities, or your intellect?
      • Do you ever compare yourself to another person and desire to “be like them” physically, spiritually, socially, or financially?
   3. Are you satisfied with where you are going?
3. Proverbs 4:23 says, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”  Read and discuss the following from gotquestions.org (Be sure to look up the verses as you go.):
   • “. . . The difference is in the heart. Both greed and contentment are states of the heart. When we choose to be content with the riches of Christ (Colossians 1:27; Ephesians 3:8) rather than pursue material riches, our lives will be more in line with God’s desire for us, because “where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Matthew 6:21).”
   • What conclusions can you draw from these verses regarding the condition of your heart and the level of your contentment?
4. Read Psalm 139:23. How often do you examine your heart? Discuss what your level of contentment could be if your basis for contentment was a clean heart?
5. Jesus said, “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?” (Matthew 6:25).”  
   • How does worry, and the stress that is its by-product, affect your ability to be content?
     • Share some constructive ways to deal with worry. Read 1 Peter 5:6-7.
   • Can you identify specific stressors in your life?
     • Discuss some strategies for coping with those stressors.
6. In closing discuss this statement: if you have a proper view of who God is and where He wants your heart to be, then you’ll be content with what you have.

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

Resources for further study:

What does the Bible say about contentment?

What does it mean that godliness with contentment is great gain (1 Timothy 6:6)?

What is the mystery of godliness?

Daily Scripture Readings:

Day 1:  1 Timothy 6:6-8; Philippians 4:11-13; Proverbs 30:8-9

Day 2: Hebrews 13:5-6; Deuteronomy 8:11‬ & 17-18

Day 3: Matthew 6:19-21; 25-27

Day 4: Luke 12:15-21

Day 5: Ecclesiastes 5:8-12

Day 6: Ecclesiastes 5:13-20

Day 7: 1 Peter 5:5-11

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