_ Here is a word from the NT on this very
subject. I Timothy 6:6 “But godliness with
contentment is great gain. (7) For we brought nothing into this world, and it
is certain we can carry nothing out. (8) And having food and raiment let us be
therewith content. (9) But they that will be rich fall into
temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown
men in destruction and perdition.” (10) For the love of money is the root of
all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and
pierced themselves through with many sorrows.”
Verse six; if contentment is great gain, then discontentment leads to great loss.
Verse seven; everything you have came to you directly from the hand of God.
Verse eight; contentment is a choice.
Verse nine; wealth opens the door to many and greater and more foolish desires.
Verse ten; coveting, whether money or someone else’s wife, will pierce your soul through with many sorrows.
I believe the answer to David’s fall into adultery and murder in part is a spirit of discontent.
Now think about yourself. What is your spirit of discontent? What are your lusts? Given the opportunity, what sin would you choose? What sin would cause you to leave your LORD and invest time and money into? You see, you are successful. God has provided for you much more than you ever thought He could. You’ve got great gifts from His hand. And now, lest you squander them with a spirit of discontent, check your spirit today. Can you see where it’s leading you?
First, outward success may make you proud and extremely vulnerable to greater temptations.
Second, outward success may make you extremely vulnerable to greater temptations; especially to a spirit of discontent.
Third, the purpose of all outward success is glory for God while the purpose for all inward temptation is the development of personal holiness.
Here’s what the NT says. I Corinthians 10:31 “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” It doesn’t really matter what it is that you are doing. You see, God requires us to do everything for His glory. And why would God provide you with riches and success? Here’s what the Apostle Paul says in I Timothy six. I Timothy 6:17 “Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; (18) That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; (19) Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.”
There is so much to say here about giving glory to God with your life.
Verse seventeen; God gave you all He has so that you’d enjoy these things.
Verse eighteen; you first responsibility if you’ve been blessed with success is to share your bounty with those in need.
And verse nineteen; all you do today is laying a foundation for the future.
The LORD does indeed allow temptation; but His purpose is so that you will develop personal holiness. Here’s what the NT teaches. I Corinthians 10:13 “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”
God promises to make a way for you to escape every temptation. But He’s not going to nag you into obedience. He simply tells you that His grace is available for every single temptation. You, then, must look to Him to enable you, by His grace to re-surrender yourself to Him again and again and again. Here’s how James, the Brother of Jesus, puts it. James 1:12 “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.” Go on to Page Five
Verse six; if contentment is great gain, then discontentment leads to great loss.
Verse seven; everything you have came to you directly from the hand of God.
Verse eight; contentment is a choice.
Verse nine; wealth opens the door to many and greater and more foolish desires.
Verse ten; coveting, whether money or someone else’s wife, will pierce your soul through with many sorrows.
I believe the answer to David’s fall into adultery and murder in part is a spirit of discontent.
Now think about yourself. What is your spirit of discontent? What are your lusts? Given the opportunity, what sin would you choose? What sin would cause you to leave your LORD and invest time and money into? You see, you are successful. God has provided for you much more than you ever thought He could. You’ve got great gifts from His hand. And now, lest you squander them with a spirit of discontent, check your spirit today. Can you see where it’s leading you?
First, outward success may make you proud and extremely vulnerable to greater temptations.
Second, outward success may make you extremely vulnerable to greater temptations; especially to a spirit of discontent.
Third, the purpose of all outward success is glory for God while the purpose for all inward temptation is the development of personal holiness.
Here’s what the NT says. I Corinthians 10:31 “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” It doesn’t really matter what it is that you are doing. You see, God requires us to do everything for His glory. And why would God provide you with riches and success? Here’s what the Apostle Paul says in I Timothy six. I Timothy 6:17 “Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; (18) That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; (19) Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.”
There is so much to say here about giving glory to God with your life.
Verse seventeen; God gave you all He has so that you’d enjoy these things.
Verse eighteen; you first responsibility if you’ve been blessed with success is to share your bounty with those in need.
And verse nineteen; all you do today is laying a foundation for the future.
The LORD does indeed allow temptation; but His purpose is so that you will develop personal holiness. Here’s what the NT teaches. I Corinthians 10:13 “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”
God promises to make a way for you to escape every temptation. But He’s not going to nag you into obedience. He simply tells you that His grace is available for every single temptation. You, then, must look to Him to enable you, by His grace to re-surrender yourself to Him again and again and again. Here’s how James, the Brother of Jesus, puts it. James 1:12 “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.” Go on to Page Five