Fellowship Bible Church - Mullica, Hill N.J.

The truly contented will find joy in God’s grace (4:10).

10 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity.

Joy in Grace

•When we see ourselves as stewards—not owners—we will find greater joy in giving (2 Cor. 8:1-5).

We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, 2 for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. 3 For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, 4 begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints— 5 and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us. — 2 Corinthians 8:1-5

Joy in Grace

When we are motivated by God’s grace to us, the receiver’s joy will be found in the giver not the gift (Phil. 4:10).

You will either love people and use things, or you will love things and use people.

The truly contented will not confuse wants with needs (4:11).

"Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content."

4 The rabble who were among them had greedy desires; and also the sons of Israel wept again and said, “Who will give us meat to eat? 5 “We remember the fish which we used to eat free in Egypt, the cucumbers and the melons and the leeks and the onions and the garlic, 6 but now our appetite is gone. There is nothing at all to look at except this manna.”
Numbers 11:4-6, NASV

Discontentment Danger Warnings:

•A complaining spirit is the external expression of discontentment—there is often value in not getting what you want (Deut. 8:2-4).

•An anxious spirit is the internal signal of discontentment—there is value in learning to trust God with your future (Matt. 6:25-27).

25 “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? 27 Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? – Matthew 6:25-27

The truly contented can endure both difficulty and prosperity (4:12).

12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.

See your circumstances as your arena for spiritual growth. As you mature, you will develop adaptability.

Paul had strength to withstand “all things” including both difficulty and prosperity in the material world. – The MacArthur Study Bible

If you can’t be content with what you have, you’ll never be content with what you want.

The truly contented will not attempt to do life in their own strength (4:13)

13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

6 But godliness with contentment is great gain, 7 for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. 8 But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.

1 Timothy 6:8

•The truly contented will find joy in God’s grace (4:10)
•The truly contented will not confuse wants with needs (4:11).
•The truly contented can endure both difficulty and prosperity (4:12).
•The truly contented will not attempt to do life in their own strength (4:13)