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Contentment. Contentment Is Not. Not a Buddhist suppression of all desire. Not a Stoic resignation to a helpless fate. Not a Self-Centered indifference to the state of our neighbors. Not an Apathetic perspective on life. Christian Contentment.
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Contentment Is Not • Not a Buddhist suppression of all desire. • Not a Stoic resignation to a helpless fate. • Not a Self-Centered indifference to the state of our neighbors. • Not an Apathetic perspective on life.
Christian Contentment • Contentment is a developed attitude of peace with our place in life regarding God’s gifts as sufficient and God’s assignments as appropriate. • Christian contentment has nothing to do with insensitivity or inertia. It has everything to do with Christian self-acceptance. Especially, an acceptance of God’s sovereignty and providence as these affect one’s station, task, and resources in life. • Yet, Christian contentment allows room for aspiration and a concern for improvement.
Christian Contentment • It is a glad, trustful, repose in God and a humble participation in His purposes and dealings. • It is a state of mind and heart arising from a “grace induced” awareness of God’s goodness at the very foundation of our life.
The Nature of Contentment • I Can Do All Things Through Christ Who Strengthens Me • Contentment Is Personal: “I, Me” • Contentment Is Optimistic: “Can” • Contentment Is Active: “Do” • Contentment Is Encompassing: “All Things” • Contentment Is Dependent: “Through Christ” • Contentment Is Challenging: “Who Strengthens”
Contentment Is Learned • “I have learned to be content…” • The School of Humble Means • “going hungry” • “suffering need” • The School of Prosperity • “being filled” • “having abundance”
Lessons That Promote Contentment • The Nature of God: He Is On Our Side • Hebrews 13:5, Jeremiah 29:11 • The Nature of Life: There Are Always Ups & Downs • Genesis 39:20-21 • The Nature of God’s Kingdom: We Are Here To Serve • John 13:17 • The Nature of Earthly Possessions: We Have All We Really Need • 1 Timothy 6:6-8 • The Nature of Our Reward: Incomparable & Unsurpassable • Romans 8:18, 2 Corinthians 4:16-18
Putting Contentment Into Practice • Applying Contentment In The Basic Areas of Our Lives • Where I Am, What I Do, What I Have, & Who I Am With • The Always Available Tool: Thankfulness • Build A Mental Filter Against Greed • Meditate On God’s Word: Give It Time