Friday - July 1, 2016

Woodlawn Family Bible Study
FRIDAY

BIBLE READING:  1 Timothy 6:6-11 and Philippians 4:11-13

MAIN IDEA:    “Choose to be content”

DISCUSSION: 
“How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before beginning to improve the world.” - Anne Frank

Being content with what we have is a blessing that is worth more than wealth.  Many people have millions of dollars, any and everything they want yet they are not content. Yet there are many who have nothing and yet they are content. What is contentment? You can’t buy or sell contentment. Contentment is being gratified, being satisfied, being happy.  It isn't what you have or who you are or where you are or what you are doing that makes you happy or unhappy. It is what you think about it.

We need to be in control of our thoughts. If you concentrate on what you don't have, you will never have enough. We all struggle to some extent with this. Better phone, TV, computer, clothes, cars, restaurants etc. If we let ourselves think about these things we will never be content.

Paul tells us to learn to be content in whatever situation you find yourself in. Paul says, "Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.  I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need.  I can do all things through Him who strengthens me."

Ecclesiastes 5:10 says, "Those who love money will never be satisfied with the money they have. Those who love wealth will not be satisfied when they get more and more. This is also senseless."

APPLICATION: 
Is our desire for “things” more than Paul recommends? Is the love of money, only folding money?

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