LEARNING TO BE CONTENT

Family Values - Part 10
June 20, 2021
Carlton Gerrell - cgerrell@tvcc.us

WHAT IS COVETING? COVET: THE

DESIRE TO ACQUIRE.

FIVE RESULTS OF COVETING

1.-

2.-

Ecclesiastes 5:10 (CSB)
The one who loves silver is never satisfied with silver, and whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with income. This too is futile.

3.-

Ecclesiastes 5:12 (CSB)
The sleep of the worker is sweet, whether he eats little or much, but the abundance of the rich permits him no sleep.

4.-

James 4:1-2 (CSB)
What is the source of wars and fights among you? Don’t they come from your passions that wage war within you? You desire and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and wage war. You do not have because you do not ask.

5.-

Ecclesiastes 5:10 (MSG)
The one who loves money is never satisfied with money,…

What is the antidote to coveting?

Philippians 4:12-13 (CSB)
12 I know how to make do with little, and I know how to make do with a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content — whether well fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need.
13 I am able to do all things through him who strengthens me.

HOW TO LEARN CONTENTMENT

1.- RESIST COMPARING OURSELVES

2 Corinthians 10:12 (CSB)
For we don’t dare classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. But in measuring themselves by themselves and comparing themselves to themselves, they lack understanding.

2.- REJOICE IN WHAT WE

Ecclesiastes 5:18-20 (CSB)
Here is what I have seen to be good: It is appropriate to eat, drink, and experience good in all the labor one does under the sun during the few days of his life God has given him, because that is his reward. Furthermore, everyone to whom God has given riches and wealth, he has also allowed him to enjoy them, take his reward, and rejoice in his labor. This is a gift of God, for he does not often consider the days of his life because God keeps him occupied with the joy of his heart.

Proverbs 15:27 (CSB)
The one who profits dishonestly troubles his household, but the one who hates bribes will live.

3.- RELEASE WHAT WE HAVE TO

1 Timothy 6:17-19 (CSB)
Instruct those who are rich in the present age not to be arrogant or to set their hope on the uncertainty of wealth, but on God, who richly provides us with all things to enjoy. Instruct them to do what is good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and willing to share, storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of what is truly life.

1.  Don't become proud of your wealth.  
2.  Don't put your trust in money.  
3.  Use your money to do good.  
4.  Give cheerfully.  

Acts 20:35 (CSB)
In every way I’ve shown you that it is necessary to help the weak by laboring like this and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, because he said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

4.- REFOCUS ON WHAT’S GOING

2 Corinthians 4:18 (CSB)
So we do not focus on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Luke 12:15 (CSB)
He then told them, “Watch out and be on guard against all greed, because one’s life is not in the abundance of his possessions.”