Qualities of a pure heart - 5

Contentment “To be sufficient, to be

possessed of sufficient strength, to be strong, to be enough for a thing.” (Vine’s)

Contentment Satisfied, moderation,

sufficient, enough.The opposite of covetous or

dissatisfied.An attitude of mind. How do

you view your current state of affair!

Contentment Does NOT mean laziness or

complacency. Laziness is refusal to act (Prov. 6:10-11, 20:13, 2 Thess. 3:6-7, 10, Heb. 6:12)Complacency – Rom. 12:11, Rev. 3:15-18, Jas. 4:17

ContentmentDiscontent leads to…Jealousy, envy, debt,

worldliness, bitterness, etc.

Contentment Philippians 4:10-13 In whatever state I am -

sufficient with what he has. “Not that I speak in regard to

need.”WHEN needed – both in want

AND abundance! Eccl. 5:10

Contentment 1 Tim. 6:6-8 “godliness with contentment is

great gain.” We brought nothing into this

world…(1 Jn. 2:17, Matt. 6:19-21)

Content with food and clothing – Do we really need everything we have?

Contentment Heb. 13:5 “Let your conduct be without

covetousness. Be content with such things that you have.”

Contentment 2 Cor. 9:8, “sufficiency” same

word as content! Matt. 16:26, “What profit is

it to a man if he gains the whole world…”

Luke 3:14, “Be content with your wages…”

Contentment Prov. 30:7-9, “Give me

neither poverty nor riches – Feed me with the food allotted to me; Lest I be full and deny You, and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’ Or lest I be poor and steal, and profane the name of my God.”

Contentment Prov. 24:19-20, “Do not fret

because of evildoers, nor be envious of the wicked; For there will be no prospect for the evil man; The lamp of the wicked will be put out.”

Contentment Prov. 15:16, “Better is a little

with the fear of the Lord, than great treasure with trouble.”

ContentmentDeveloping a content heart

It is something that is learned – Phil. 4:11-13 Count your blessingsRealize what is really importantGive thanks

Contentment

Developing a content heart Learn to trust God and appreciate Him – Phil. 4:13 Live within your means!

Unselfish!Selfishness is placing one’s

own interests over that of others. Vanity, greed, hatred, lust, etc.

Unselfishness is placing the interest of others above your own. Willing to share!

Unselfish! Problems with selfishness – we

think about ourselves, even in helping others (cf. Lk. 18:12, Ac. 5:1-11, 1 Cor. 13:3)Tearing down others, division, stagnation in a congregation.Hindered prayers. Adversity in relationships. Lack of self-control, entitlement attitude, Gal. 5:19-21, Jas. 3:13-16, 4:1

Unselfish

Examples God, the ultimate example - John 3:16 Jesus, John 15:13 Paul, Phil. 3:7-9, 2 Cor. 12:15

Unselfish

Examples Barnabas – Acts 4:36-37 Macedonian brethren – 2 Cor. 8:1-5

Unselfish Phil. 2:3-4, “Let nothing be

done through selfish ambition...”

James 3:17, The wisdom from above is, “willing to yield”

1 Cor. 13:4, Love, “does not seek its own”

Unselfish Rom. 15:1-2, “bear with

the scruples of the weak...” Heb. 13:16, “Do good and

share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased”

1 Tim. 6:18 Luke 14:12-14

Unselfish

Developing an unselfish heartConsider the greatest giver – God! We can never outgive Him! Strive to think about others! Realize the true value of stuff!

UnselfishDeveloping an unselfish heart

Start giving and sharing! Is there a sense in which we do think about ourselves? Phil. 2:12, Rom. 12:3 – we are to save ourselves, but to do so requires we think of others!

Are you content of heart? Do you think

of others?