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CONTENTMENT — Freedom from anxiety or worry (1 Tim. 6:6).

The idea of contentment comes from a Greek word that means “independence” or “self-sufficiency.” But the apostle Paul used the word in a Christian sense to show that real satisfaction or sufficiency comes from God: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Phil. 4:13).

In other word, contentment is freedom from anxiety or worry because my real satisfaction and sufficiency is based on God and my relationship with Him!

This definition speaks well to where we would like to go when it comes to our personal finances.

 

Let’s take a look at some good primer verses to our discussion today:

  • 1 Timothy 6:6 (ESV) – “But godliness with contentment is great gain” 
  • 2 Corinthians 9:8 (ESV) – “And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.”
  • 1 Timothy 6:8 (ESV) – “But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.”
  • Philippians 4:11 (ESV) – “Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.”
  • Hebrews 13:5 (ESV) – “Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”  

 

BIBLICAL TENSION OF FINANCIAL CONTENTMENT

When this word of “contentment” is spoken, for me there is an immediate tension that arises within. We want to be satisfied with what we have but there is an inner desire for more.  I know what I should be thinking and feeling, but I get stuck with what I see around me and how I could “have” and how I could “live” especially with the “extras” that I do not have. I really want to be content, I want to be satisfied…

This is a very real tension that happens within, and the question that should be asked by the Believer in Christ is, “could this inner desire for more, and tension that is happening within, actually be the result of my view of God and/or my personal relationship with the Lord?”

For in order to have (and live a content life) the believer in Christ needs to have a proper view of God, which includes seeing yourself as God sees you!

 

Ephesians 1 is a good passage that speaks to this…and specifically verses 3-14.  For we read in these verses…

  • We have been blessed with EVERY spiritual blessing…(in Christ!)
  • We have been CHOSEN by Him…
  • We are Holy and Blameless in HIS sight!
  • We have been adopted as His sons and daughters…
  • We have been FREELY given His grace!
  • We have redemption through Christ’s work on the cross!
  • We have forgiveness of our sins!
  • And MUCH more!!!

 

This is who we are AND what we have in Christ!  When we get a good, proper and Biblical view of who we are in Christ, it changes how we see ourselves, our circumstances, our personal finances, and also how we see our Heavenly Father!

Yet, there are some people, and even some “religions” (buddhism), in the world today that believe one should let go of all attachments, and that is where they will find contentment.

But Paul understood contentment differently – let’s go back to 1 Tim. 6:6-10

1 Timothy 6:6–10 (ESV) – “But godliness with contentment is great gain,  for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.”

 

To have true contentment, one needs a proper view of God, His Word and our identity in Him in order for there to not just have gain, but GREAT gain!  True biblical contentment is a marriage of godliness and personal satisfaction!

If one does not have true biblical contentment, that individual will live a troubled life for there are many ups and downs in life, specifically with personal finances!  You may feel good one day that you have had growth in your IRA, your bills are paid, and you have leftover money, but there will be days where the markets tank, you have unexpected expenses, and the result is the struggle to keep afloat financially.

May we encourage you to evaluate your contentment in Christ. If in your heart and mind you believe that you are secure in Him, then no matter where things go financially for you, you are on solid ground. He will be your great and generous provider.

 

What are some of the contentment killers for the believer in Christ?

  • ENVY – Keeping up with the Joneses.
    • Proverbs 14:30 (NIV84) – A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.
  • GREED – Worth found in how much you own or make.
    • Luke 12:15 (NIV84) – Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”
  • FEAR – Believing that things will be taken from you…or not able to have enough.
    • Matthew 6:25–28 (NIV84) – “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? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? 28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin.
  • IMPATIENCE – A desire to get rich quick…and/or chasing the hottest thing – potentially even leveraging yourself financially beyond your means.
    • Proverbs 13:11 (ESV) – Wealth gained hastily will dwindle, but whoever gathers little by little will increase it.

All of the above contentment killers can lead you into negative behaviors – theft, murder, slander, love of money, desire, materialism, and even walking away from the Lord!

Why do I say this?  Remember 1 Timothy 6:6-10?  This person’s love of money was their downfall and caused their eventual destruction. 

 

HOW DO WE EMBRACE FINANCIAL CONTENTMENT?

If we would focus on personal Godliness, pursue holiness, and cultivate our relationship with Christ, then we can REST in our identity which is found in Christ!  Remember that our relationship in Christ cannot be taken from us, but in a heartbeat our wealth can vanish!

And with that thought of potentially losing our wealth…it is important for the believer to invest and spend wisely…and specifically invest in things that are eternal…for remember these words of Jesus:

Matthew 6:20 (ESV) – “…but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.”

So, let’s take a moment and review what 1 Timothy 6 says about personal financial contentment

  • Godliness with contentment is a great gain.
  • We are to not have a love of money
  • Believers are to not put hopes on uncertainty of riches, but on God
  • Make an eternal investment by laying up treasures in heaven and investing in the lives of people so they will come to know and grow in Christ.

 

Now, let’s look at what are some hands-on practical applications with personal investments.

    • Get your risk right 
      • What does this mean from a financial professional’s point of view?
      • And to intentionally bring up a Biblical thought of this, ask yourself these questions…
        • If your accounts are all gone, do you believe that God is still enough? Will He still provide?
        • Birds of the air – lilies of the field…worth more than many sparrows..
        • Matthew 6:26 (ESV) – Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?
        • Never seen the righteous forsaken…or children begging bread…
        • Psalm 37:25 (ESV) – I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging for bread.
    • When the markets behave poorly…don’t look at statements – don’t fuel your fear
      • Don’t watch your long term investments day in and day out.
      • Meet with an advisor on an annual basis.
        • What if I don’t have a Financial Advisor?
      • Underperformance most of the time comes with the territory.
      • Don’t measure your returns with others and other financial benchmarks.
  • If you don’t have money to invest, look back at what we said about contentment.
    • Try to make some changes with your income and spending!  
      • Go back and listen to our five sequential episodes
    • Consider your ways, and change accordingly
    • Get an outside voice to speak.
      • Church – deacons – wise family member 

 

Conclusion

  • Financial Contentment does not mean passivity or laziness. What it means is your identity is not wrapped up in your personal finances.
  • Contentment is based on your identity in Christ and His provision, NOT your ownership!
  • Biblical contentment is resting in Jesus as my sustainer and provider.
    • WHEN things go south, HE KNOWS.
      • Psalm 37:25 (ESV) – “I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging for bread.”
  • Be content in Him. Rest in the promise that you are His and He is your great provider and sustainer!

 

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