Matthew 11:28-30 (MSG) – Come to me. Walk with me …Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”

Philippians 4:11-13 (ESV) – I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 1 2 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 1 3 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

1 Timothy 6:6, 9 (NIV) – But godliness with contentment is great gain…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.

  • Remember all the trouble people get into when they don’t learn to be content

Proverbs 1:10-19 (ESV) – My son, if sinners entice you,

do not consent.
11 If they say, “Come with us, let us lie in wait for blood;

let us ambush the innocent….

…throw in your lot among us; we will all have one purse”—

15 my son, do not walk in the way with them; hold back your foot from their paths,

16 for their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed blood.

…but these men lie in wait for their own blood; they set an ambush for their own lives.

19 Such are the ways of everyone who is greedy for unjust gain; it takes away the life of its possessors.

  • Remember How Discontentment leads people to lie & deceive

Proverbs 21:6 (ESV) – The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a snare of death

  • Remember how discontentment tempts us to compromise our morals

Proverbs 15:6 (ESV) – In the house of the righteous there is much treasure, but trouble befalls the income of the wicked.

Proverbs 28:6 (ESV) – Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity than a rich man who is crooked in his ways.

1 Timothy 6:6, 9 (NIV) – But godliness with contentment is great gain,…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.

  • Remember The Danger of False Security

Proverbs 18:11 (ESV) – A rich man’s wealth is his strong city, and like a high wall in his imagination.

Proverbs 23:5, (MSG) – Riches disappear in the blink of an eye; wealth sprouts wings and flies off into the wild blue yonder.

  • Remember the Danger of Anxiety

Ecclesiastes 5:12 (ESV) – Sweet is the sleep of a laborer, whether he eats little or much, but the full stomach of the rich will not let him sleep.

  • Remember, Discontentment Robs Our Ability to Enjoy what We Have

Proverbs 27:7 (ESV) – One who is full loathes honey, but to one who is hungry everything bitter is sweet.

  • Remember the Danger of Confused Priorities

Proverbs 23:4 (ESV) – Do not toil to acquire wealth; be discerning enough to desist.

Luke 12:21 (ESV) – So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.”

1 Timothy 6:6-10 (NIV) – But godliness with contentment is great gain, 7 for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. 8 But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. 9 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. 1 0 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.

1 Timothy 6:17 (ESV) – As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy.

How Can We Learn to Be Content?

1. Open Our Eyes

James 1:17 (ESV) – Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights

 

Philippians 1:21, 23-24 (ESV) – For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account.

1 Timothy 6:6 (NIV) – Godliness with contentment is great gain

Hebrews 13:5 (ESV) – Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for [God] has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

2. Open Your Hands

1 Timothy 6:17-19 (NIV) – Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God,who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 1 8 Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.1 9 In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold
of the life that is truly life.

2 Corinthians 9:7 (ESV) – Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.