Please turn with me to 1 Timothy 6 - starting at verse 3.  We have been looking at what?  The Essentials of the Church.  What is essential for us as a congregation to be doing - living out - if we’re to fulfill God’s mission for us of living and sharing the Gospel in the world - beginning right here in Merced.  This morning we’re coming to The Essential of Contentment.  Let’s say that together, “The essential of contentment.”

The Gallup-Healthways Well Being Index - think Gallup polls - they came out a few weeks ago with a survey of more than 353,000 Americans.  They asked people to assess their jobs, finances, physical health, emotional state of mind and their communities.  In other words “How do you feel about where you’re living?”  “How content are you with where you’re at?”

Number one on the list - place where people are most content with their lives?  Any guesses?  The place where people are most content:  Boulder, Colorado.  Number 162 - bottom of the pile - city where people are least content with their lives?  Any guesses?  #162 - Huntington, West Virginia.  Remember the movie “We Are Marshall.”  Same place.

#161 - next to the bottom on the list - Modesto, California.  In fact Modesto scored below Bakersfield which came in at #152.  Fresno came in at #103.
 

On the top of the list - places where people are most content with their lives and community:  #56 Sacramento.  #20 San Francisco.  #7 San Jose.  #6 Santa Barbara.  #5 - highest ranking in California:  Santa Rosa and Petaluma.

Merced wasn’t even on the list.  But then neither were Atwater and Plenada.  So, go figure. 

We’re looking at the essential of contentment.  Contentment can be a disaster.  It can be an excuse for laziness - avoidance - taking the path of least resistance - going along with the status quo.  There are times when we need to move forward with our lives.  To not be content with where we’re at.

And yet, being discontent can get us into all kinds of trouble.  With all that we have in our lives - with all the ways that God has blessed us -  isn’t it amazing how easily we become discontent.  How we can get ourselves into trouble pursuing things that we have no business pursuing.

In 1 Timothy 6 - beginning at verse 3 Paul goes straight to our hearts:  What Motivates Us?  Let’s say that together, “What motivates us?”

At the heart level - deep inside - what really motives us - drives us - itches us under the skin - to be content or discontent with our lives?  Is our contentment or discontentment a good thing or a disaster in progress?  How do we know the difference?

1 Timothy 6:3:  If anyone advocates a different doctrine and does not agree with sound words - meaning - those - words - the teaching - of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the doctrine conforming to godliness, he is conceited and understands nothing; but he has a morbid - meaning deadly - interest in controversial questions and disputes - literally battles - about words - arguments about words - out of which arise envy, strife, abusive language, evil suspicions, and constant friction between men of depraved mind and deprived of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain.

Let’s pause there.  Paul is using a real life situation in the Ephesian church - using that situation as an example - of what goes on deep inside us as - what motivates us - as we think about what we have and what we desire - our contentment or discontentment with our lives.

In verse 3 Paul writes that there were those in the Ephesian church who were teaching what was contrary to what Jesus had taught.  Beginning in verse 4 Paul focuses on their motivation - what’s going on in their hearts.  He writes that they’re “conceited and understand nothing.”

Years ago I was scuba diving off the coast of Mexico.  Absolutely gorgeously clear warm water.  Amazing fish.  Like swimming around in a tropical aquarium.  Floating around there under the water the guide I was with handed me this small fish - a pretty little fish with little spikes sticking out of it.  As I held that little fish gingerly between my fingers - avoiding the spikes - that little fish swelled up to this ball shape twice the size it was before.

Remember “Finding Nemo”?  Same fish.  A puffer fish.  They inflate their bodies to make themselves look more impressive than they are.

These men are conceited.  They’re all puffed up - huge but empty - desiring to get recognition they didn’t deserve.  Acting like they knew something about God and His word when in reality they didn’t have a clue what they were talking about. 

Paul writes - out of that conceit comes a deadly interest in controversy and questions and disputes.

There’s a saying, “An Irishman doesn’t know what he believes but he’s willing to die for it.” 

Some people enjoy a good fight - a good controversy or dispute or battle over doctrine or theology - or politics or just about anything they can get a response about.  Some people enjoy pointing out how they disagree with others.  Soon they’ve got people calling up and emailing and texting and Facebooking each other.  It strokes their egos to be at the center of all that.  Makes them feel puffed up - important - like they’re knowledgeable - an important part of something.

Paul writes, “This is a morbid - deadly disease.”  All this only leads to “envy, strife, abusive language, evil suspicions, constant friction.”

In a battle someone looses.  Resentment builds - a malignancy - a cancer in the church.  Words get said - slander - tearing at reputations - openly or in secret.  Every action - every word is suspect - interpreted - examined for motivation.  The anger and hurt builds - boils beneath the surface.  People choose sides.  They can’t stand to be in the same room together.

Ever been there?  Sadly, too many of us have.

Conceited - empty people - focused on themselves missing the joy of brotherhood - of sisterhood - in the Body of Christ.  Tearing the body apart from within.

Then in verse 5 Paul exposes what’s going on below the surface - the deeper issue of heart - the motivation that’s driving their actions.  “Men of depraved mind and deprived of the truth - literally, men whose minds have been corrupted by their own desires.  Their actions - their puffy arguments - show that - in their hearts - in what motivates them - the truth of God and life in Jesus - inside they don’t know the truth.   Something else is driving them.

Verse 5:  these depraved and deprived men think that godliness is a means of gain.”  That’s the motivation - selfish greed - filling the emptiness - the discontent within - pursuing contentment by their own means and effort and accomplishment.  Their motivation is self - not God.

In Acts 8, we’re told that in Samaria there was man by the name of Simon who was a magician.  He was amazing the people there with his tricks.   He had a large following.  People had given Simon the nickname, “The Great Power of God.”  Do you remember this?

About that time the Apostle Philip arrived in town and began preaching the Gospel.  A lot of people believed in Jesus and we’re baptized -  including Simon.  When the news about all these conversions got back to Jerusalem - Peter and John came up to Samaria to pray for the new believers and to lay hands on them so that they would receive the Holy Spirit - a sign of unity - connecting the believers in Jerusalem with the new believers in Samaria.

When Simon - “The Great Power of God” - saw what Peter and John were doing - the laying on of hands and the receiving of the Holy Spirit - the God given authority and recognition that Peter and John had in the community - Simon offered the Apostles money.  He said, “Give this authority to me so that everyone I lay my hands on will receive the Holy Spirit.  Give me the secret to this magic trick so I can amaze the people too.”  He saw godliness as a means to gain something for himself.

Peter says to Simon, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money!  Repent - ask for God’s forgiveness for this attitude in your heart.” (Acts 8:9-24)

People come to Jesus - to Jesus’ church - because they’re not content with what’s going on in their lives so they come for some kind of quick fix from God.  Then when God begins to work in their lives - being around God and His people - when their lives get a tad more manageable - rather than giving their lives to God and seeking His complete healing - salvation - forgiveness of sin - wholeness in Christ - they flake out.  Because the heart motivation is about us - what God can do for me.

“We’re teaching our children the importance of regular church attendance…  what time should we pick them up?” 

Many people see Christianity only as a great moral lifestyle.  A great benefit to how we live life.  A great environment for the kids where they can learn something.  Dropping them off sets a good example for them.

Some people see church as some kind of happy hunting grounds - a place to find someone to marry.  Someone with similar values.

The church is a place to conduct business - to meet friends - a community gathering place.  The Creekside Evangelical Free Club.

Some people have the idea that Godliness is doing Godly things - showing up for services - giving money - not swearing - too much.  Trying to earn God’s blessing - contentment coming from God - buying all that with a godly lifestyle.

But don’t talk to us about all that joining in the suffering of Jesus stuff - taking up our cross and living life like Jesus did - sacrificing ourselves - loosing our lives.  That’s just over the top.  I’m not here for all that.  Just keep me awake during the sermon - give me something to encourage me - and then let me get on with my life.

Godliness isn’t a commodity - something to be traded for or earned by our own efforts.  Godliness isn’t about us.  All that God offers us in a relationship with Him isn’t about us.  If were working to achieve Godliness by doing what satisfies our own egos - working for Godliness by our own efforts - we’ll never find the contentment we’re looking for. 

Paul writes, that self-serving motivation - is morbid - depraved - self-destructive - a motivation that has nothing to do with true godliness.

Going on in verse 6:  But - in contrast - godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment.

There’s a whole different motivation here - Godliness and contentment.  The two go together at the heart level.

One of the best definitions of contentment that I’ve heard comes from the perspective of a tortoise:  Contentment is being at ease in our own shell. 

The Greek word here for contentment “autarkeias” means sufficiency - satisfaction.  Having all we need and wanting only that much.

Put another way.  When we get God we get contentment.  When we get contentment we get Godliness.  Let’s say that together:  “When we get God we get contentment.  When we get contentment we get Godliness.”    

When - at the heart of who we are - our motivation is God - not us - we experience true contentment.  When we’re content with God we begin to experience true Godliness.

All that may sound a tad confusing.  And it is.  Verses 7 to 11 - Paul is going to give us four principles of contentment to help us think through what all that means for us.

First principal of contentment:  You Can’t Take It With You.  Say that with me, “You can’t take it with you.”

Verse 7:  For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either.

A few millennia ago the Egyptian pharaohs built huge pyramids with large vaults filled with riches that would make Bill Gates envious.  They had themselves mummified - prepared - stuffed and preserved for the next life.  Today we have museums filled with rotting mummies and Egyptian artifacts.

Jesus told a parable of a rich man who had a bumper crop.  Remember this?  He’d harvested so much grain he didn’t know what to do with it.  He was rich.  So he decided to expand his business.  He began to dream of how he was going to enjoy life and his retirement.  Expansion - wealth - no end in sight.  On the night he was dreaming about all that what happened?  This upward mobile rich man died. (Luke 12:16-21)

Job put it this way, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I shall return there.” (Job 1:21)

Yet, somehow in our deluded way of thinking - when we get our eyes off of God and onto ourselves - we think we can take it with us.  So many people today are working very hard - they’ve given their lives to  producing nothing of lasting value.

They’re giving everything - sacrificing family - friendships - health - relationship with God - stressing themselves out - burning themselves out 26/7 - trying to obtain contentment through the accumulation of wealth and things and reputation and experiences.  Trying to hang on to all that - filling up their houses and garages and renting storage space - hanging on to stuff like it really counts for something.

First principle of contentment - let’s recognize that we can’t take it with us.  So why are we living like we can?

Second principle of contentment:  God Takes Care of His Own.  Let’s try that together, “God takes care of His own.”

Verse 8:  If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content.

During the Exodus - about 2½ months after the Hebrews had left Egypt -  the people began to grumble  - whining -  against Moses and Aaron.  They said, “We wish God would have killed us back in Egypt.  At least there we had plenty to eat.  There was bread and meat.  But, you - Moses and Aaron have brought us out into this wilderness to kill us with starvation.” 

God - being very merciful with this group of whiners - God told Moses what He was going to supply the needs of His people and what the people were suppose to do.  We’re together on this?  Right?

God was going to rain down bread from heaven - manna - each morning the people were to go out and gather up whatever bread they needed only for that day.  Every sixth day the people were to gather enough bread for 2 days - the seventh day being the Sabbath - when God wouldn’t send bread and the people weren’t suppose to work or bake anyway.  That’s pretty basic - gather only as much bread as you need for one day.  No more - except on the 6th day.

The focus here is what?  Its not about bread and which days to collect it.  The focus is on God and what God is teaching His people about Himself.

When God sent the bread the people gathered it up.  True to human nature - some people kept more bread than they needed for just that day.  Maybe they thought, “What if God doesn’t send bread tomorrow?  How will we have enough to eat.”  So they kept extra bread.  The bread they kept - by the next morning - what happened to it?  Became filled with maggots and smelled terrible.  So, the people learned - gather just enough for today.  God will provide for us tomorrow.

On the sixth day - the bread they kept according to God’s instructions - gathering enough for two days - what happened to it?  It stayed fresh - even though it was kept over night.  So, the people learned.  God is in control.  Trust God.  (Exodus 16:1-36)

Jesus said this, “Don’t worry about your life - what you’ll eat or what you’ll wear.  There’s more to life than food and clothing.  Look at the ravens.  God takes care of them.  Look at the lilies.  God takes care of them.  You can’t add a single day to your life.  So why are you trying too?  Don’t worry.  Seek God’s kingdom first.  Make that your priority - your heart motivation - And God will take care of everything else.” (Luke 12:22-34)

Way too often were robbing ourselves of contentment stressing out over what God never intends for us to stress out over.  Be satisfied with what God gives you today.  Let God take care of what you’ll need tomorrow.  God takes care of His own.  Trust God.  If we could get a hold of that reality - down at the heart level - it would transform our lives.

Then the third principle of contentment:  You Can’t Buy Happiness.  Let’s try that together, “You can’t buy happiness.”

Ed was in trouble.  He forgot his wedding anniversary.  His wife was really angry.  She told him, “Tomorrow morning, I expect to find a gift in the driveway that goes from 0 to 200 in less than 6 seconds, and it better be there!”

The next morning Ed got up early and left for work.  When his wife woke up she looked out the window and sure enough, there was a wrapped box - red ribbon - red bow - sitting in the middle of the driveway.  Confused, the wife put on her robe and ran out to the driveway and brought the box back in the house.  She opened it and found a brand new bathroom scale.  Ed has been missing since Wednesday.

Verse 9 - you can’t buy happiness - But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction.  For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

Rabobank is a Dutch bank - which focuses on food and agri-business.  They have their name on the Rabobank Arena down in Bakersfield.  Rabobank is not be confused with this outfit.  Robabank - which is focused on greed and getting whatever we want when we want it.

People trying to buy happiness - running up credit debt - buying stuff they have no clue about how they’re going to pay for it.  Then they’re surprised that they’re in financial trouble.

Then when God wants to use what He’s blessed them with they’ve spent it and a whole lot more.  They’re so tied up in debt that when God puts an opportunity in front of them - an opportunity to be hugely blessed by God and to hugely bless others - to experience real blessing coming from God - true contentment in their lives - they’re so trapped in their own pit of self-serving debt that they have no way of being a part of what God is doing.

Don’t miss that:  This buy now pay later instant gratification attempt at contentment robs us today of the future blessings of God.

Money isn’t the root of all evil.  What is?  The love of money is the root of all evil.  An unhealthy desire - a heart motivation focused on wealth - stuff we think will bring contentment.

Anyone know who this is?  Jack Benny.  Great actor - comedian - of several years ago.  We won’t say how many.

Putting it mildly, Jack Benny had a problem letting go of money.  There was a sketch where a robber comes and points a gun at Jack Benny and the robber says, “Your money or your life.”  After a long silent pause, again the robber says, “Your money or your life.”  And Jack Benny says, “I’m thinking.  I’m thinking.”

We need to be honest with ourselves.  Its hard to live trusting in God’s provision.  We’re constantly bombarded with powerful unending appeals to invest - to accumulate - to take charge - because we deserve so much better.  Its easy for us to think that we can have control over what happens around us. 

Money represents security - investment - influence - control.  There’s prudence to the wise use of money.  There were a number of wealthy men in the Bible who were blessed by God.  Wealth is not the problem.  Motivation is.

Jesus - in talking about birds and flowers - Jesus is asking, “Where’s your heart?  In what or whom are you trusting?”  Our attitude towards wealth and material things shows us the priority of our hearts - the priority of our character - our will - the inner core of who we are.  That’s why Paul uses wealth as an example for us.  What are you longing for?  Who do you love? 

We need to be very careful with the priorities of our heart especially when it comes to wealth.  Longing for money - and all that that represents for our own self-preservation and ego - that longing is a trap - a mirage.  Enticing.  Yes.  But, still a trap.

Paul warns us - thinking we can buy contentment is the beginning of a plunge into a bottomless pit of ruin and destruction.  Trusting in money we open ourselves up to a host of sins - pride - selfishness - covetousness - greed.  Our very faith - our eternal destiny - is in jeopardy.
 

You can’t take it with you.  God takes care of His own, You can’t buy happiness.  And the fourth principle of contentment:  Choose God.  Let’s say that together, “Choose God.”  Make God your bottom line.

Verse 11:  But flee from these things - all of these other motivations - flee from these things, you man of God, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness.

Erika Greene was a 20 year old warehouse worker in Dacula Georgia - just north east of Atlanta.  One day she did something she’d never done before.  She went into a Texaco station - spent $10 and bought two lottery tickets.  Erika became one of three winners of the $331 million Big Game jackpot.  She choose the cash option - which meant that in - before taxes money - Erika won $58.9 million.

Some of you - in hearing that - may be saying.  “She is so lucky.”  Some of you are already thinking about how to spend that money.  10% to the church.  Take care of God.  Quit my job.  Buy a canal front home in La Grand.  Hire a chauffer for the combine.  Some of you are saying, “I hope that never happens to me.” 

A while back in the pocket of a rich man who had just committed suicide they found $30,000 in cash and a note.  The note said, “I have discovered during my life that piles of money do not bring happiness.  I am taking my life because I no longer can stand the solitude and boredom.  When I was an ordinary workman in New York I was happy.  Now that I possess millions I am infinitely sad and prefer death.” (1)

Paul writes, “Flee from these things.  RUN!”   The Greek word is “pheugo.”  Like Yugo - only more powerful.  Most cars are.  YOU GO!!!  Forget what’s behind.  Throw away the rear view mirror.  Put the pedal to the metal.  Floor it.  Drive away. 

“Pursue” is a word that has the idea of running someone down.  Imagine doing that in a Yugo.  The pursuit has passion.  Someone grabs your child and you’re putting everything you are in catching that person and there’s gonna be a lot hurt when you do.  That’s the kind of passion that’s in this word “pursue.” 

Flee is to run from.  Pursue is to run towards.  Both are choices of the heart.  Flee from and pursue towards.  If we’re to find contentment in our hearts we need to do both.

Hold up your hand in front of your face.  With the back towards you.  Turn your hand around.  The back part turns away the palm turns toward you.  Unless there’s something seriously wrong with your hand you can’t turn one side without turning the other side with it.

We can’t flee is we won’t pursue.  And we can’t pursue if we won’t flee.  Both are crucial.  Turning our life away from seeking contentment apart from God - what Paul has been writing about here in chapter 6 - and turning to pursue God - the only true source of contentment - turning to pursue God with everything we are.

Verse 11 is a list to get us started.  Paul writes - here’s how you choose God - pursue these things: 

First - Pursue Righteousness:  Pursue living life in the way that God approves of.  Saying no to what’s wrong and yes to what’s right - regardless of what those around us may be saying - regardless of what it may seem to cost us personally.

Second - Pursue Godliness:  Pursue living life with a reverence and a respect for God - not just on Sundays or when you’re hanging around Christians.

Third - Pursue Faith:  Choose to trust God.  To live putting our confidence in God and God alone.  In the stuff of life - in our relationships - in our daily needs - take hold of God’s promises and live trusting God.

Fourth - Pursue Love:  Live with compassion for others.  We need to see others as God sees us.  As those who need help - encouragement - understanding - grace - mercy - forgiveness.  People who need to know that God loves them.  That God desires for them to know Him and live with Him through life.  Pursue sharing God’s love with others.

Fifth - Pursue Perseverance:  Be immovable - doggedly determined to continue following after God - to hang in and hang on with God - regardless of what the world throws at you.

Sixth - Pursue Gentleness:  Which means relying on God rather than our own strength - even when we’re wronged by others.

God gives us a choice.  The emptiness of this world or contentment that’s found only in Him.

The bottom line is that what Paul writes here - the bottom line of all this is our hearts.  What motivates us?   Which is the contrast that Paul makes - men who have given their hearts and lives to the on the empty pursuit of pleasing themselves versus those who have focused their hearts and lives on God.  Those who get God and get contentment.

As an essential of the church - the world needs to see that contentment lived out in our lives.  Men - like that man with $30,000 in his pocket - alone in death - people need to see the alternative found in Jesus Christ. 

They need to see churches and believers in Jesus Christ that trust in God and not the amount of their investments.  Churches that believe in God’s promises not the bottom line in a budget.  Churches that are learning to pray together - to study together - to worship together.  Believers in Jesus Christ who are learning to listen together to the voice of God for direction and not the shifting winds of the economy.

One last question.  A take home question.  Is what motivates you winning the lottery or something much greater found only in Jesus Christ?

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1. W.A. Maier, “For Better Not For Worse”