Phil. 4:11-19, Contentment vs. covetousness (3)

 

g)    What symptoms might be evidence that we are afflicted with covetousness, as seen in these illustrations?

i)      Ex. 16:2-3: The wandering Israelites demonstrated covetousness by their critical, grumbling spirit.

ii)   Gen. 13:5-13: Lot’s material ambition (i.e. his willingness to be put in a position of temptation in order to get more ‘things”) revealed his greed.

iii)            1 Sam. 18:6-9: King Saul’s jealousy against David showed his desire to have all the praise.

iv) Mark 10:35-45: The desire to be first or greatest (not just by the 2 who stated their desire but the rest who were upset with them) was evidenced several times during their earthly time with Christ. 

h)    When is “greed” permissible (1 Tim. 6:11-12)?  When we are pursuing godliness.

i)    What “abundance” is available for contented Christians?

i)      2 Cor. 9:8: Grace for all good works.

ii)   Phil. 4:13: Supply for every need.

iii)            Phil. 4:19: Power for every task.

j)    In what areas do we need contentment?  We may tend to think of this as applying to our financial ambitions.  But we need to learn contentment, being satisfied with God’s provision, in such areas of life as …

i)      Prov. 3:31: Money.

ii)   Prov. 5:18: The sexual area of life.  When a person pursues a relationship that God says is sinful they show a lack of contentment, doubting God’s faithfulness to always lead us in the way of life everlasting.

iii)            1 Cor. 7:12-13: Marriage (avoiding divorce).  Again, divorce assumes the grass is greener on the other side of the fence God has created.  It doubts his promise to provide.

iv) Prov. 24:1-2; 1:10-19: Human relationships (avoiding evil men).

v)    Prov. 13:25; 25:16: Eating.

k)    Is contentment natural, learned or dependent on one’s economic status?

Today’s passage makes it clear that contentment is not natural to humans but must be learned.  And specifically, Paul was content regardless of his economic standing at the time.  I am reminded of John Wesley, the great evangelical preacher.  His ministry was overseen by a board of men.  At one point they decided to give him a raise in salary, as I remember from 28 to 30 pounds a year.  Wesley believed he did not need the increase and so increased his giving to the Lord’s work by 2 pounds annually.