Contentment in Life

I. Text: Proverbs 4:5-13

II. Ecclesiastes

A. Life is vain

B. However, the Preacher outlines hope for finding contentment in what would be an otherwise meaningless existence.

III. Where will we focus?

A. Riches are uncertain

B. Ecclesiastes 5:13-15

C. Trust in riches is foolish

D. Riches can be lost

E. Mismanagement – poor accounting, out of control expenses Deception – Con artists, foolish speculation Misfortune – Stock market falls, natural disaster, market vanishes In the end one may have no riches to give as an inheritance All riches will be lost at death Since riches are uncertain, we are faced with a choice of how we will focus our life

F. Live miserably

G. Ecclesiastes 6:1-6

H. This person is never satisfied; he never has enough

I. Every time a new toy comes out, when the new fashions arrive, he will not be satisfied with what he has. He may be striving to keep up appearances to impress others.

J. He faces extra costs from his riches

K. As wealth increases, so do those who live from them. Many friends and family may come out of the woodwork to ask for money. He must pay people to manage his money, investments, houses, cars, etc.

L. He cannot sleep peacefully

M. He may lose money in the overnight markets. He may lose sleep trying to think of new ways to earn and keep his money. He must be wary of thieves and dangers that could destroy his wealth. He must keep an eye on those who act trustworthy but may defraud him.

N. Be content

O. Ecclesiastes 5:18-20

P. He enjoys the fruit of his labor.

Q. Whether he earns a lot or a little, he is satisfied with what he earns. He is able to enjoy what his money earns; he is not a slave serving money.

R. God keeps him busy with joy

S. He does not dwell on past decisions, missed opportunities, and misfortune. He enjoys the blessings of today. He realizes that life’s meaning is not found in wealth or fame; he enjoys the fruit of his labor for what it is, a servant, not a master.

IV. How to live the content life

A. Clarify your goals

B. Ecclesiastes 6:7-9 Remember that the focus of your work is not to build a foundation on riches but to supply your needs.

C. Make specific and realistic goals for the things that you want in life

D. Without specific goals, how will you know where to go? To be realistic is not to dream small.

E. God must occupy the center of our goals

F. Everything in life must be to His glory. With God’s word, we can develop goals that will make us truly happy in life. Goals keep us from being distracted by a multitude of other options. We should not be daydreaming of what could be, but taking purposeful steps towards a worthy destination.

G. Finish what you start

H. Ecclesiastes 7:8

I. Many people love to plan new ventures

J. They get excited in drawing plans They love to research options They love to buy the things necessary to begin the endeavor

K. We often start projects with a sprint

L. At the first big roadblock, we often stop and do not return to the project In the parable of the Sower, the seed that fell on the stony ground represented those who, after receiving the gospel, grew but gave up when persecution arose. Some give up on their marriages, rearing children, Bible class teaching, etc. when troubles or difficulties arise.

M. We must have the patience to finish what we start

N. Especially with salvation, Hebrews 10:35-39 If we make specific goals for improvement in our jobs, in our relationships, in the work of the church, and other areas, we must persevere. The proud boast of working on the goal, the patient finish the goal.

O. Get wisdom for defense/asset

P. Ecclesiastes 7:11-12 The only way we will be able to successfully achieve what we want to as Christians, is to lean on God’s wisdom Wisdom is life to those who have it We get wisdom from God, James 1:5. Proverbs 4:5-13 – Wisdom will guide and protect those who trust in her Wisdom costs nothing but those who do not have it pay a hefty price

Q. Accept the good and bad days

R. Good and bad days will come; we must accept this fact.

S. Job is an example of the proper attitude one must have.

T. He lost his possessions, he said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return there. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” (Job 1:21) When he was struck with painful sores all over his body, his wife told him to curse God and die. Job said, “You speak as one of the foolish women speaks. Shall we indeed accept good from God, and shall we not accept adversity?”

U. We must enjoy the good days but not be surprised when the bad days come.

V. Life is filled with peaks and valleys.

W. Jesus’ life

X. His baptism (peak) and His temptation in the wilderness (valley) His triumphal entry (peak) and His betrayal and crucifixion (valley)

Y. We can take comfort in the fact that although the good days will not last, the bad days will not last either.

Z. Work diligently

A. Ecclesiastes 4:5-6

B. We are faced with another choice

C. Be lazy

D. Proverbs 6:10-11 – Folding our hands leads to poverty overtaking us Proverbs 10:4 – A slack hand leads to poverty

E. Be greedy

F. Ecclesiastes 5:10-12 – No satisfaction, no rest Life becomes miserable for it never satisfies Be satisfied

G. Be content

H. Ecclesiastes 9:7-10

I. Enjoy the fruits of your labor

J. You may not eat like a king but you will eat Wear the garments of feasting and joy Enjoy the blessing of oil for your head These were all basic things but they were not lacking—not luxury, satisfaction

K. Enjoy your family

L. Enjoy your spouse whom you love Life is still meaningless but you can have some satisfaction with those whom you love So many people espouse this but do nothing to work towards it It will not happen automatically or overnight; it takes effort and time The satisfaction of a peaceful, nurturing family life cannot be purchased yet many wealthy people would give all they have earned to possess it.

M. Enjoy your work

N. True work is a prison; a miserable day-to-day drudgery. Find work that brings you satisfaction and joy. Find work that you can be passionate about No amount of money will make you happy and content in a job that you hate; the price will soon seem too cheap. A satisfying job is worth more than you will ever earn through the paycheck.

O. 1 Timothy 6:6-10

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