Elements City Church
Satisfied wk1: fight for contentment
Godly generosity is something we see highlighted all throughout the pages of the Scriptures as it mirrors the heart of God and his generosity toward us. Growing godly generosity within our lives allows us to deepen our discipleship with Jesus, frees us to be a blessing within our world and helps us live a more satisfied life. In this series we want to lean into some benefits of a life that is growing in godly generosity. It helps us fight for contentment and experience it more, and also helps us fight against comparison and the poison that can breed.
Locations & Times
Elements City Church
1825 N Alvernon Way, Tucson, AZ 85712, USA
Sunday 5:00 PM
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http://elem.cc/weeklyConsumption is a word that describes our reality / our world. Did you know that Americans consume over 100 acres of pizza a day? This pull toward consumption isn’t all bad, we are human after all, created to consume as a necessity. But in a culture that markets and tries to push and capitalize on consuming – it can lead us to living by a mantra of: MORE IS ALWAYS BETTER. But is it?
Having MORE may not actually lead us to: being happier or being more satisfied. In a land obsessed by consumption, contentment calls to us.
When the Apostle Paul commended the life of contentment, he was describing an inner fullness that was not contingent on material comfort. Contentment is not achieved through getting everything we want but by training the heart to experience full joy and deep peace even when we don’t have all of what we want.
When Paul challenged Timothy to a lifestyle of contentment, he drew upon the “reality of brevity” — not simply that our stuff will come and go, BUT THAT WE come and go. Taken from Job (see Job 1:21).
Feel the weight of this pronouncement. Its gravity is intended to sober us as we measure the time and energy we spend accumulating stuff.
*You can enjoy the gifts of life, but find your LIFE in the GIVER.
*You can enjoy the gifts of life, but find your LIFE in the GIVER.
Quote:
"Contentment is a satisfied heart, a spirit that is alive to God and to others, whether or not we have what we desire." - Jeff Manion
"Contentment is a satisfied heart, a spirit that is alive to God and to others, whether or not we have what we desire." - Jeff Manion
Trapped, drowning, and bleeding — these were some of the descriptors Paul used to portray the self-inflicted wounds of people entangled in the never-ending pursuit of MORE. It is clear that Paul wants Timothy to recognize the spiritual devastation that occurs when we fail to harness the power of contentment.
As we reflect on this warning, we must consider: “How can we earn money, save money, spend money, and invest money. . . but not fall in love with money?”
*If we deal with this question honestly, I think we must confess that this is a huge challenge in our culture and is likely to be a lifelong battle for all of us.
*If we deal with this question honestly, I think we must confess that this is a huge challenge in our culture and is likely to be a lifelong battle for all of us.
Paul states that he “learned the secret of being content.” Apparently, contentment is not something you are born with.
How did he learn?
Paul’s answer explains: “I didn’t have the strength. I could only achieve contentment with the strength of Christ.
How did he learn?
Paul’s answer explains: “I didn’t have the strength. I could only achieve contentment with the strength of Christ.
Live with a “Manager Mindset”
-it’s continually reminding ourselves that we are managers NOT owners of our things. All we have, has been given by God. It's honoring him first. Give to God. Give to yourself. Live on the rest. (10/10/80)
Have your grown in your generosity? – are you more active with that today then you were 2-3 years ago? That’s an indicator of growing as a disciple. Godly generosity flows from the amazing grace God gives us and fosters contentment within our lives.
-it’s continually reminding ourselves that we are managers NOT owners of our things. All we have, has been given by God. It's honoring him first. Give to God. Give to yourself. Live on the rest. (10/10/80)
Have your grown in your generosity? – are you more active with that today then you were 2-3 years ago? That’s an indicator of growing as a disciple. Godly generosity flows from the amazing grace God gives us and fosters contentment within our lives.
Intentional Downsizing
= go smaller; train yourself that MORE is not always better.
Challenge Activity: ‘LIGHTENING THE LOAD’
*we own stuff, we don’t want stuff to own us. so what if every week 'til the end of the year, you got rid of 7 "something’s" you’re not using or don’t need?! That would be: 7 items x 9 wks = 63 items.
= go smaller; train yourself that MORE is not always better.
Challenge Activity: ‘LIGHTENING THE LOAD’
*we own stuff, we don’t want stuff to own us. so what if every week 'til the end of the year, you got rid of 7 "something’s" you’re not using or don’t need?! That would be: 7 items x 9 wks = 63 items.
Contentment is learning to be content and not just follow along with the pursuit of consumption or acquiring more and more and more.
Enough > More
Enough > More
Help yourself tomorrow, by limiting yourself today.
*Nearly 8-of-10 American workers, including 10% of those who make more than $100,000 a year live paycheck-to-paycheck, according to a report from CareerBuilder. Feb 13, 2018
Build an EMERGENCY FUND of $1,000.
*Nearly 8-of-10 American workers, including 10% of those who make more than $100,000 a year live paycheck-to-paycheck, according to a report from CareerBuilder. Feb 13, 2018
Build an EMERGENCY FUND of $1,000.
Godly generosity helps us fight for CONTENTMENT in life.
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