Be Content

Text: Ecclesiastes 5:1-17

Introduction:

 Philippians 4:11

 I Timothy 4:4

Proposition: We must learn to be content with our position and our condition in life.

Transitional Sentence: Solomon reminds us about two things we should consider in order to keep us content.

  1. Consider God: Godliness brings contentment (5:1-7)
    1. Guard your steps (5:1-3)
      1. By Listening: Swift to hear cp. James 1:1
        1. Religious activity w/o heart being right displeases God
          1. Ex. Saul "To obey is better than sacrifice and hearken than the fat of rams
          2. Catholics who go through the ritual of mass but live ungodly
      2. By Holding our Tongue: Slow to Speak
      3. By Guarding our heart: Not hypocritical
    2. Keep your Vows (5:4-7)
      1. By Not Delaying: Procrastination
      2. By Not Making Rash Vows
      3. Thoughts concerning vows
        1. Balance between making "empty" vow and being non-committal
        2. Don't make a vow you don't plan to keep
        3. Consider a vow like a written contract
        4. Don't be so afraid of breaking a vow that you never make any commitments
          1. Most of you made a marriage vow
          2. Most of you make vows to buy a car or house
          3. Make a vow with the Lord
  2. Consider the Vanity of Riches: Riches often destroy contentment (5:8-17)
    1. Riches Don’t Satisfy (5:10-12)
      1. Never Enough (v. 10)
      2. Attracts "bugs" (v. 11) (Bugs are people who hang around for a handout)
      3. Causes worries (v. 12)
    2. Riches are unpredictable (5:13-15)
      1. They often hurt rather than help (v. 13)
      2. They can disappear (v. 14)
      3. You may die never to use it again (v. 15)
    3. Riches are temporary (5:16-17)

Conclusion:

 Be content (v. 18-20)

 Contentment comes when our priorities are in place, when God, not money, is the focus of our lives, then we can be content in any position or condition.

 Enjoy life no matter your condition or position

 Joy is not dependent upon what you have or what position you hold, but on your relationship to the Lord.

 Illus. Old hag, young girl picture. Missed picture because focused on wrong thing.

 Illus. Hidden holograms