Not that I speak because of lack, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content in it. 12 I know how to be humbled, and I also know how to abound. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret both to be filled and to be hungry, both to abound and to be in need. 13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me Philippians 4:11-13 (WEB)
What if the answer to your contentment was simply Jesus? A daughter or a son of God! What a thought!
But somehow, that thought, as great as it sounds, just keeps getting pushed away. It just sounds too good to be true. The implications may intrude on your “want to’s”.
What are you doing with the minutes of your day as they quickly tick by leaving you breathless and unfulfilled? How do you apply our key verse to your life as a believer? Are you content no matter what?
Your Father is the King of Glory. He wants to give you everything! But everything is not a material possession. It isn’t even a promise of good health.
True believers who serve the Savior fully embrace the new way of life. Read the verse below. Let it sink in. Could you let go of materialism and exchange it for the list in 2 Corinthians 6:5-10?
having nothing, and yet possessing everything
If you are a believer and are withholding any part of your life from the Lord, then you will never find contentment in Him. The days will continue to tick by at a frustrating pace. Even if you manage to find the material things or ambitions you crave, they will never satisfy you.
Well now it’s time to meet the men who inspired this study.
One of the men in our study came to the knowledge that everything he owned was meaningless in the light of knowing God in a deeply personal way. He traded moment by moment wealth for a lifetime of joy. Eternal joy.
Jesus said to him, “Today, salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save that which was lost.”
Luke 19:9 & 10 (WEB)
Zaccheus is the first man. Luke tells a powerful story in chapter 19:1-10The first thing we learn about Zacheus is that he was a small man. He was a Hebrew who cheated Hebrews. He was a chief tax collector. He was known for working with Rome and hated by the Jews.
But on one particular day, Zaccheus was a man on a mission. He wanted to see Jesus. He obviously knew who Jesus claimed to be. But Zaccheus didn’t believe it. Yet. What we know is the Spirit of God was dealing with him.
God has always led people to be in the places where they will find Him. Just like the woman at the well, Jesus knew where Zaccheus would be. He was seated on a branch in a Sycamore tree. Jesus looked up and reached out. Another life was changed.
And all of heaven celebrated on that day!
But the second soul is a different story. You may have guessed his identity already. The Rich Young Ruler. Do you recall the story? This man had a sin problem, too. he was extremely wealthy, but he was destitute in his soul.
““Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?”
Mark 10:17 (WEB)
But Jesus reminded him that only God was good. He knew that the man needed to be able to say that Jesus was Lord and Savior, not just a good teacher. Then he told Jesus essentially that he was a good person. But here is Jesus’ response.
Looking at him, Jesus loved him and said to him, “You lack one thing: Go, sell all you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
Mark 10:21
Many people get tripped up in this story. They believe that Jesus was saying, “If only you would give away some of your wealth, you could be saved.” That is the prosperity gospel, and it is wrong. Salvation was purchased by Christs’ blood, not our wealth or works.
Jesus was telling the man to really look at his heart. He wanted him to see that greed had a grip on him. He was pointing out that because he was holding on tightly to the control of his possessions, he could not see a need for repentance. But repentance and confession are essential. How can you be born to new life with Jesus if you can’t admit that you are a sinner?
No, Jesus was not telling him to give more money to charity. He was not telling him to take a vow of poverty. Jesus was offering him eternal life. And the man walked away. Jesus grieved.
“Jesus looking at him loved him..”.
“One thing you lack. Go, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me, taking up the cross.”
Mark 10:21 (WEB)
“But his face fell at that saying, and he went away sorrowful, for he was one who had great possessions….”
Mark 10:22 (WEB)
This is one of the saddest interactions between Jesus and a Bible character. The freedom of God’s love means mankind is never forced to bow before our Savior. That is until the final day. God’s Word tells us that one day every knee will bow, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.
The choice is always your own. And in the rejection of God’s love, there is sorrow for our loving Lord. Then there will be eternal sorrow for those who reject Him.
He pursues and loves us with patience and tenderness. But our response is no surprise to Him.
God wants us to want to be His sons and daughters. How could wealth, ambition, human approval, or anything else matter more than that?
I will be to you a Father. You will be to me sons and daughters,’ says the Lord Almighty.”
2 Corinthians 6:18 WEB
World English Bible (WEB)
by Public Domain. The name “World English Bible” is trademarked.
Getting the Seed out of the basket and into hungry hearts. Matthew 13 