The Cultivation of Contentment: Part Two

I Timothy 6: 6 – 12

Our text emphasizes there is nothing bad about being rich. It can be, and often is, very good. It is our attitude toward material goods that is at question.

Verse 9 opens the door for consideration to be given some unreasonable ways of seeking to gain wealth.

There is the snare of borrowing your way to wealth. Avoid the bondage of debt. The Bible does not prohibit borrowing. However, in borrowing we must make certain in advance resources will be incoming that can retire the loan on time. When the time passes without the note being paid, the person is in bondage.

Our drive to get ahead often gets us farther behind.

Neither security nor comfort is wrong. Both are admirable, but neither is obtainable apart from godliness. Some have become so driven by material ambition that they have “strayed from the faith in their greediness” (Vs. 10b).  Avoid people who think gain is godliness. (Vs.  5) Some persons, especially preachers, have used false godliness as a means of gain. They have prostituted the gospel, commercialized Christ, and merchandized false doctrine for personal gain. From such “withdraw yourself.” A strategic withdrawal is expedient.

If you desire contentment, don’t try to use godliness as a means to an end, but as an end in itself.

Accept a primary axiom.  (Vs. 7) “We brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.”  That closely parallels Job 1: 21, “Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return.”

There is an old expression: “There are no pockets in a shroud.”

A wealthy person died and someone asked, “How much did he leave?” Someone answered, “Everything.”

It is said that the casket of Alexander the Great, conqueror of the known world, had holes in each side with his open hands protruding through them to indicate he, too, died empty-handed.

Avow God is the giver of every enjoyable thing. (Vs. 17c)

This verse addresses those who have already obtained wealth and offers three warnings:

Don’t be haughty, don’t trust in your wealth, and do trust in God.

“God gives us richly all things to enjoy” and that includes wealth.  It is enjoyed when there is a proper attitude toward it and a generous spirit related to it.

The ultimate delight, which far exceeds earthly and material blessings, is “eternal life.” (Verse 19c)

Verse 12 appeals to us to “Fight the good fight of faith.” This indicates the Christian experience is a perpetual challenge. This is an appeal for discipline and determination.

Verse 19c challenges us to “lay hold on eternal life.” The Greek term describes a completed reality, a single happening. Thereafter it affords contentment.

The Cultivation of Contentment: Part One

I Timothy 6: 6 – 12

Jesus said, “Foxes have their holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head” (Matthew 8: 20). He who said that was the world’s most contented person. In doing so, He established that contentment is not contingent on “things.”

We have developed an adrenal thirst for material possessions. As a result, if we have those we want, we are content. If we don’t have them we are discontent. 

There are things that aid contentment that money can’t buy. Money can buy. 

A bed, but not sleep. Books, but not brains. A house, but not a home.

Medicine, but not health. Food, but not an appetite. 

Amusement, but not happiness. A crucifix, but not a Savior.

In her book entitled: “Living on Less and Enjoying It More,” Maxine Hancock said of contentment: “It is similar to happiness, that greatly sought-after but always elusive goal of society.  However, it is deeper and more fulfilling than happiness.  It is a quiet plateau that can be reached internally even when there seems little external reason for it.” 

Our text teaches that “quiet plateau” is reachable by means of “godliness with contentment.”

There is a difference in seeking godliness as an end in itself and as a means to material gain. To desire to be godly is simply to aspire to be more like Christ.

Godliness and contentment are Siamese twins joined at the cerebral cortex. That is, they are inseparable. Yet, many people still seek contentment by ungodly means. That’s like trying to find a black palomino. There is no such thing. If it’s black, it isn’t a palomino. If it is a palomino, it isn’t black. 

If there is godliness, there is contentment. If there is contentment, it is because there is godliness.

“Contentment” is used as a noun here and in only one other place in the New Testament. The Greek word is “autarkeia”, meaning self-sufficiency, carrying the secret of fulfillment in yourself, completely independent of outward things. 

It comes from a personal relationship with the Father through the Son. We escape servitude to things when we learn this basic lesson.

The godly person possesses inner resources which furnish riches far beyond that which earth can offer.

Democritus reputedly used the word “avarice” as a summary for improper love of money and said, “Expel avarice, the mother of all wickedness, who, always thirsty for more, opens wide her jaws of gold.”

“Always thirsty for more” describes our era. Epicurus, building on the philosophy of Democritus said, “To whom little is not enough, nothing is enough.” 

That is because no quantity of things brings contentment. Only Christ does.

Have you noticed this principle in your life? Christ alone is the source of contentment, not things. Therefore, invest in Him for dividends of contentment.

Pardon Me, May I Tell You the Time? 1/10/99

Matthew 24:42-44
Page 1450, Come Alive Bible

Jesus Christ said, “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but My words will by no means pass away” (Matthew 24: 35).

Thus, what He said you can rely upon. He said, “I will come again.”

Being aware that normal human curiosity would prompt the question, “When?” He said: “…of that day and hour no one knows, no, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father” (Matthew 24: 36).

Amazingly, date setters are always popular and always wrong.

On an episode of “Candid Camera” there was a segment in which normal things were reversed. A sign posted on a lovely lawn stated, “Please walk on the grass.” Not exactly what one might expect. Another involved a person walking up to people on the street saying, “Pardon me please, may I tell you the time?” Reaction varied. Some looked a their own watch. Some said a skeptical but polite, “Yes.” Some looked quizzically and walked away.

Pardon me, may I tell you the time?

Prophetic time setters have existed all through time. In an attempt to cheat on the future there are those who profess to be seers who know the future. Most of them are willing to tell the future for a fee. People seem to forget Christ said no person knows the time of His second coming.

With the rise of millennial fever and apocalyptic fear prophets of doom can be expected to proliferate as the year 2000 approaches. As Christians we need to be informed and prepared to respond.

False prophets can usually hit on enough things to get a following. Misses are over looked.

Edgar Casey who died in 1945 still has a large following. Now that 1998 has passed it is safe to share his prediction that a large chunk of California would fall into the Pacific between 1958 and 1998.

Nostradamus (1503-1566) correctly predicted King Henry II would die in a jousting accident and he did. This gave him and “in” with the queen and a fortune.

He also predicted the king of France would conquer Turkey, convert the nation to Christianity, and become emperor of the world. That made him the man of the hour in France —- for a short time. Most of his prophecies did not come true but a large contingency of his followers still today are devotees.

In 1956 Jean Dixon predicted that in 1960 a brown haired, blue eyed, democratic president would be elected and die in office. When President Kennedy was assassinated in 1963 her popularity sky rocketed and her followers proliferated. It should be noted she also predicted that in 1958 World War III would begin, the Soviets would land the first man on the moon, a comet would strike the earth in the mid 1980’s, and a woman would be elected president in the 1980’s. Not! On all those.

William Miller, a farmer from Vermont, used his Bible to calculate Christ would come in 1843, about 20 years after his prophecy. When pushed to be more specific he said March 21, 1843. When Christ did not Miller recalculated and apologized for his error. He meant October 22, 1844. Over 100,000 Millerites quit their jobs, sold their possessions (what good does that do?) And waited for the end to come.

Edgar Wisenaunt wrote a book entitled “88 Reasons Why the Rapture will be in 1988.” It sold millions and panicked legions.

Even Hal Lindsay noted in his very popular book that 1988 would be the year of our Lord’s return.

Pat Robinson once “guaranteed” a 1992 Tribulation “sparked by a Russian invasion of Israel.”

With the approach of the new millennium prophets are arising as they did in 999.

For the Christian it is vital to ask, “What time is it?” Is 1999 the final year of the count down to Christ’s coming. It may be. It may not be. He may come on the millennium. Not 2000, but 3000.

From the stand point of a minister I only know the day of the week He will come, not the date. It will be on a Monday for the Scripture says He will come on “a day no man thinketh.” That’s got to be a Monday.

I believe with all my heart His coming is imminent, though it may not be immediately. There is a difference in those words. To say it is imminent means it can be at any moment. That includes immediately. To say it is immediate excludes a delay if it pleased Him. It is imminent.

God’s people are not to try to harness the forces of nature, engage in divination, or sorcery, or search out popular prognosticators, but to put their faith in the Word of God.

The important thing is to intrust the future to our trustworthy God. God said of false prophets: “‘I am the LORD, who makes all things, Who stretches out the heavens all alone, Who spreads abroad the earth by Myself; Who frustrates the signs of the babblers, And drives diviners mad; Who turns wise men backward, And makes their knowledge foolishness;’” (Isaiah 44:24 – 25).

If you hear a date “fixer” you are listening to a person who is by their action saying they know what God said no one knows. Before His ascension Jesus said not even He knew the appointed time.

I don’t look forward to the undertaker, but I do look forward to the upper taker. I don’t look forward to a clef in the ground but I do look forward to a cleavage in the sky.

We should live as though He might come today and plan and work as though He isn’t coming for a hundred years. Rejoice He is coming. In the meantime what are we to do. Three of the things are clearly noted in Scripture.

I. WATCH
There are 1,845 Scriptures attesting to the coming of Christ. It is the main theme of 21 books of the Bible. Every chapter in I and II Thessalonians closes with a reference to his coming. Over half the verses in the New Testament relate to His coming. Read the New Testament and your ears will ring with the footsteps of His glorious coming.

Anticipation of His coming is a marvelous motivation. It is a catalyst to faithfulness.

Christ said, “Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming” (Matthew 24:42). And again He said, “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming” (Matthew 25:13).

Scripture includes this vital insight: “scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, and saying, Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation” (II Peter 3: 3, 4).

There will be people saying people have long been saying He is coming and He hasn’t. Therefore, I don’t believe He is coming again.”

When you hear a person say that rejoice because that is a sign of His coming.

Anticipation of His coming is a marvelous motivating factor. It prompts diligence.

While in the third grade our teacher told us the superintendent of schools had honored our school by visiting and our class was blessed because he was going to visit in it. Having told us this she said, “Now boys and girls you be very quiet and orderly I am going to the office to get him.”

You have never seen a more orderly group of children as we waited quietly. We were ready.

However, it took Mrs. Potter longer to come back than we anticipated. Soon the class became restless, then noisy, finally boisterous. Just as Mrs. Potter opened the door and the superintendent stepped in Hulet, having his back to the door stood with his lasso rope, swung it around, threw it over the head of Zenell and yelled, “Swing her up to the chandelier, boys.”

There was a breakdown in our watch. We weren’t ready for his coming.

We should live as though Christ died yesterday, rose today, and is coming tomorrow.

Colossians 3: 23 is my life’s theme text: “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men.” That develops diligence.

This theme is further developed: “Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless” (II Peter 3:14).

There are certain signs Christ told us to look for.

Matthew 24: 4 – 8 says in the latter days the abnormal will be considered normal. Listen to any talk show for verification this is now happening.

Isaiah 66:8 said a nation would be born in a day. In AD 135 Roman General Titus and his army returned to the imperial city chanting, “Hierosoluma est perdita” meaning “Jerusalem is destroyed.” The nation of Israel was no more for nearly 1800 years. November 29, 1947 the United Nations established the new nation of Israel and a nation was born in a day.

Luke 24: 21 the time of the Gentiles will have ended in Jerusalem. In June of 1967 a small army of Israel outnumbered 80 to 1 possessed Jerusalem. When on June 7, 1967 Rabbi Goren and his fellow soldiers rushed to the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem the time of the Gentile rule over Jerusalem was ended.

I Timothy 4:1 spoke of an increase in demon activity. The New Age movement and Satanism expose a dramatic increase in primitive religions. There are an estimated 250,000 Satanic covens in America.

When a decadent nation turns its back on God it turns back to the gods of decadence

II Timothy 3:13 says philosophical confusion will be common place. In our day street philosophy has taken place of the Scripture. Relativism has replaced absolutes.

If one dares to condemn the conduct to which our president has confessed that person is said to be throwing stones. There is an 11th Commandment in America: “Thou shalt not judge.” When a free people can’t make statements of right and wrong society has moved away from a Biblical conscience. A new relativism has eroded our moral absolutes.

Years ago writing about American democracy Frenchman Alexis de Tocqueville spoke of the danger of immorality leading to greatness.

Recently, Washington Post columnist, Mary McGore wrote of President Clinton as “our first president strengthened by charges of immorality.”

God is faithful and patient, but He is not indulgent or permissive.

“The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance” (II Peter 3:9).

II. WITNESS
Jesus said He would not come until the “gospel of the kingdom” has been preached “in the whole world.”

To accomplish this He has given us a commission: “And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Amen” (Matthew 28: 18 – 20).

Love compels us to want to share the love of Christ with those we love.

III. WORSHIP
“not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching” (Hebrews 10:25).

What priority do you give public worship?

I mentioned watching for His return motivates diligence and a desire to please Him. Can you imagine being where you should not be at church time and that is the moment He comes. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to be engaged in public worship when He comes.

Magnets are common today. During my childhood there wasn’t but one big magnet in my little home
town. My home town was so small it had only one yellow page with two half page ads. That magnet was owned by Mr. Cid who was noted as being very grumpy. He was the town blacksmith. He was very protective of that magnet, but because of his friendship with my dad he would let me come in and play with it occasionally. By the big emery wheel where he sharpened metal objects was a pile of iron filings like those in an etch-a-sketch. I learned that if I were to hold that magnet a certain height over those filings that the force field of the magnet would cause the iron filings to move around. The closer I moved the magnet the more responsive they were to the power of the magnet. When I would get at just the right height the filings would jump up to meet it.

As the coming of our Lord draws near His power should exert more influence on us until that moment we are caught up to meet Him in the air.

When the author walks on the stage the play is over. Are you ready?

Pardon me, may I tell you what time it is? It’s decision time.

The Benefits of Abiding

John 15

Jesus finished bearing His soul to His disciples in the upper room and walked down Mt. Zion through the Valley of Jesophat, across the brook Kedron to the Garden of Gethsemane.  The walk would have carried them through freshly pruned vineyards.  Doubtless smoldering embers remained from fires in which the pruned limbs were burned.  A Passover full-moon beams down on them as He teaches. In the rarified supernatural air of this divine high ground, the Lord reveals some basics for His followers of all ages.

Chapter 14 spoke of faith – “Believe in Me.”

Chapter 15 speaks of fellowship – “Abide in Me.”

The subject is not salvation, but service.  The pruning He speaks of does not allude to the loss of salvation, but to the loss of fellowship resulting from a lack of productivity. Christ speaks of productivity, that is,”fruitfulness,” which consequents from “abiding.”  The Greek word for “abide” (Vs. 4) is “meno,”  It is translated by eight different English words in the New Testament: abide, be present, continue, dwell, endure, remain, stand, tarry. We abide in Him when: 

(a) He abides in us and (b) His Word abides in us.

Productivity is not a result of human achievement, but of abiding in Christ.  As a branch gets its life, strength, and fruit from the vine, so the yielded believer gets the same from Christ. 

In love the Lord prunes in order to increase productivity. He does it to individuals and churches. When He prunes, there is not a thing cutaway; but it would have been a loss to keep and is gain to lose. We need to pray as Amy Carmichael: “Rid me Lord of every diverting thing.”

Jesus analytically spoke of those burning branches noted as being near the Kedron,  “If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned.” (John 15: 6)

The primary ministry of the Holy Spirit is to bear witness of Jesus (Vs. 26). It is the major ministry of every believer to do the same (Vs. 27). 

The devil can’t keep you from being converted, but he will do all he can to get you diverted.  Don’t let him do it!

To “abide” means to obey, that is, to follow the instructions.  Joy results when instructions are followed.

“The essential thing in heaven and earth is… that there should be long obedience in the same direction; there thereby results, and always has resulted in the long run, something which has made life worth living.”  Fredrich Nietzsche

“These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.” (John 15: 11) You want joy? First, get His word first in your mind so you know it. Then make it your resolve to let your lifestyle be in compliance with it. Jesus spoke of the benefits of abiding as containing among them joy. He was open about the joy of abiding in Him and candidly the cost. The benefits far exceed the cost. Your choices have consequences. Joy awaits. Commit to a lifestyle of abiding and enjoy the lifelong consequence.    

Be Brave Fellow Sparrow

 “Don’t be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Instead, fear the one who can destroy both body and soul in hell. Aren’t two sparrows sold for a penny? Not one of them will fall to the ground without your Father’s permission. Every hair on your head has been counted. Don’t be afraid! You are worth more than many sparrows.” (Matthew 10:28-31).

Psychology Today records the five most common fears among Americans are: (1) Arachnophobia (fear of spiders), (2) Glossophobia (fear of speaking in public), (3) Aerophobia (fear of flying), (4) Claustrophobia (fear of confined spaces), and (5) Acrophobia (fear of heights).

Look at our most common fears. The common thread is the fear of death. Jesus told the disciples not to be afraid even though they faced the threat of death. 

A wholesome fear of death is a preservative of life. It inspires a healthy value of life, and the value of protecting it. An inordinate fear of death is not healthy. It inspires fear. It is reasonable not to fear even the threat of death. Consider the worth of a little sparrow as compared to your value. If, and He does, care for a worthless sparrow, surely He values you even more. The song “His Eye is on the Sparrow” was written by Civilla Martin, the wife of a Baptist Pastor. She described in her own words how she came to write the song. “In the spring of 1905, my husband and I were sojourning in Elmira, New York. We contracted a deep friendship with a couple by the name of Mr. and Mrs. Doolittle—true saints of God. Mrs. Doolittle had been bedridden for over twenty years. Her husband was an incurable cripple who had to propel himself to and from his business in a wheelchair. Despite their afflictions, they lived happy Christian lives, bringing inspiration and comfort to all who knew them. One day while we were visiting with the Doolittles, my husband commented on their bright hopefulness and asked them the secret of their joy in the midst of pain. Mrs. Doolittle’s reply was simple: ‘If His eye is on the sparrow, then I know He watches me.‘” Take heart in these words.

“Why should I feel discouraged,
why should the shadows come,
Why should my heart be lonely
and long for heaven and home?
When Jesus is my portion?
My constant friend is He.
His eye is on the sparrow
and I know He watches me.

I sing because I’m happy,
I sing because I’m free, 
For His eye is on the sparrow
And I know He watches me.”

We live in a challenging time with fearful threats. The whole world is trembling. Remember Jesus has given us assurances and appealed to us not to be afraid. It is a witness of our confidence in His sufficiency, our belief in His promise to care for us in life and even death. 

The extent of God’s watchful care for you is found in that little word “fall.” According to Bible commentator William Barclay, Jesus’ word “fall” in this verse signifies more than the bird’s death. The Aramaic meaning is “to light upon the ground.” In other words, “fall” here indicates every little wounded hop a tiny bird makes. That speaks of God’s finite concern for and care of you.

Peace is possible only for those who look at life through the lense of Scripture. Remember, His eye is on the sparrow, giving assurance He watches over you.