About Your Contentment
October 3, 2021
If you could go back in time and talk to yourself five, ten, twenty years ago, how much money would you have said you needed to be content? There is a chance you’ve already achieved and surpassed that dollar amount today. Yet, we never seem to arrive at that ideal financial destination. As our income increases, so does our appetite. Join us for the final message in Money Talks to learn how to control your appetite and make your money tell a better story.
Your money talks about the condition of your heart.
Your money talks about where you've placed your faith.
Your money talks about your contentment.
Passage:
Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 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. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
– Philippians 4:11-13 (ESV)
Principle:
The root of discontentment: unfulfilled expectations.
The consequence of misplaced contentment: Contentment with what makes God discontent; results in discontentment with everything else in life.
The antidote for discontentment is to shift your attention from what you want to what others need.
Practice:
Replace your appetite for consuming by becoming aware of the needs of others.
- Making Change jar
- Advent Trees/Invested giving
- One More Child Diaper Drive
- Practice prioritized, percentage, progressive giving
Daily Readings:
Day 1: John 3 & 1 John 3
Day 2: Proverbs 22
Day 3: Matthew 19
Day 4: Philippians 4
Day 5: Romans 13
Day 6: John 19
Suggested Resources:
Books:
How to Be Rich, by Andy Stanley
The Power of Half, by Kevin Salwen
The Hole in Our Gospel, by Richard Stearns
The 100 Thing Challenge, by Dave Bruno
More than Enough, by Dave Ramsey
Passing the Plate, by Christian Smith