Title: Learn to be Content

Scripture Reading: Hebrews 13:5
“Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Main idea: Learn to live with less rather than desiring more.

In view here is an attitude toward possessions, the love of money contrasted with the grateful contentment that flows from faith. Paul described greed as “idolatry” (Col. 3:5), and it may also be said that contentment is one of the purest signs of true worship of God. The lack of contentment with our present possessions is a sign that we are not trusting God’s all-sufficiency. The antidote to being money-loving, and the authentic Christian disposition, is to be content with what you have.

God’s promise, I will never forsake you or abandon you, was given to Joshua (Josh 1:5) and in similar words to Jacob (Gen 28:15), Solomon (1 Chron 28:20), and the whole people of Israel as they entered the promised land (Deut 31:6). It now applies to every believer in Jesus, the new Joshua who leads us into the family of God.

John the Baptist gave this very practical advice as he called people to repentance in preparation for the Messiah (Luke 3:14). Paul exemplified in his own life the happiness that comes from detachment: “I have learned, in whatever state I am, to be content” (Phil 4:11) “having nothing and yet possessing all things” (2 Cor 6:10).

Getting riches brings care; keeping them brings trouble; abusing them brings guilt; and losing them brings sorrow. It is a great mistake to make so much of riches as we do.—D. L. Moody

The greatest riches a person can have lie in possessing Him who promises, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” The source of our contentment is not the security and comfort we get from owning enough things; it’s that we serve a God who takes care of us. We serve a God who will never leave or forsake us. God himself has promised. Money cannot save a soul from God’s punishment. When faith reminds us that God is in control, we remember that we have all we need.

Application
Learn to live with less rather than desiring more. Give away out of your abundance rather than accumulate more. Thankful for what you have rather than resent what you’re missing. See God’s love expressed in what he has provided, and remember that money and possessions will all pass away on day. We become content when we realize God’s sufficiency for our needs.

Let’s pray together
Heavenly Father, I thank you for all the blessings we have from you. Help us Lord to be good stewards of all your blessings. Help us Lord to be contend of what we have. In Jesus Name Amen.