Sermon: Cultivating Contentment

“Cultivating Contentment”

(November 15, 2009) Too often, we buy into the idea that something– money, success, stuff, food, can fill the empty feeling inside us. The truth is that we will always have a sense of being incomplete without the deep peace of God, the One for whom we yearn. Perhaps our feeling of discontent can be a positive motivator, pushing us to love and serve God more. On the other hand, sometimes we also need to take stock and reflect on the things we have and who we are for which we are grateful. Only when we live with gratitude and with an knowledge of where our contentment really lies can we learn to, as Paul wrote from a hole-in-the-ground prison cell, “rejoice in the Lord always!”  (Luke 12:13-21, Philippians 4:4-13)

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Part three in a series addressing faith and finances, based upon the study and program series “Enough: Discovering Joy Through Simplicity and Generosity” by Adam Hamilton. Statistics, quotes, and general outlines are taken from that work and used with permission. I of course add my own interpretation. Sermon titles include: “When Dreams Become Nightmares,” “Wisdom, Vision, and Finance,” “Cultivating Contentment,” and “Defined by Generosity.”

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even longer than last week, but worth it, I promise. ask my biggest clock-watcher.