CONTENTMENT

                                                         Philippians 4:11-13 (869)

   “Please preach a sermon on being content with what you have.”

   Introduction

        A.  We are living in a society in which there are people suffering from anxiety, frustration

              and worry.  Apathy, indifference and unconcern are manifested.

        B.  In view of  these conditions, we need to learn contentment.

    I.  What is contentment?

        A.  What contentment isn’t

              1.  Contentment isn’t satisfaction.  Examples:

              2.  Contentment isn’t the lack of desire for something better.  Example:

              3.  Contentment isn’t the lack of concern.  Examples:

        B.  What is contentment?

              1.  Eugene W. Clevenger defines contentment as follows:  “It is submission to the

                   vicissitudes (circumstances, changes) of life without anxiety in the belief that there

                       is a good heavenly Father who knows our needs and will supply them.”

              2.  Examples:

  II.  The scriptures teach the importance of contentment.

         A.  We must learn contentment because we aren’t born with contentment.

               Philippians 4:11: “for I have learned to be content.”

               1.  Luke 9:57-58 (761).  What did this man need to understand?

               2.  Luke 12:15.  The purpose of life isn’t to gain material possessions..

               3.  Matthew 6:25,33 (706).  We have a good heavenly Father who knows our needs

                    and will supply them.  Matthew 7:11 (707-708)

         B.  The scriptures emphasize contentment.

               1.  We should be content in times of adversity.  Acts 20:22-24 (821)

               2.  We should be content with our salary.  Luke 3:12-14 (752)

               3.  We should be content with our material possessions.  1 Timothy 6:6-8 (878)

               4.  The Apostle Paul’s contentment.  Philippians 4:11-13 (869); 1:12,18; 4:4.  When

                    Paul wrote this letter in was in prison.

Conclusion:  As Christians we should be content …. because we have a good heavenly Father

                     Who knows our needs and will supply them.