The Book of Proverbs
Part 7
A Heart of Contentment
Today we look at Discontentment
Content Heart
“A heart at peace [Content heart] gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.
-Proverbs 14:30
Physical/Emotional/Psychological
Envy refers to things that we do not have, but we want.
[Uncomfortable, unsettled, discontented feelings]
1. Biblical Contentment
2. Sinful Contentment
Sinful Contentment is being content or being OK with things that we biblically should not be OK with.
Examples of Sinful Contentment
Joseph & his brothers
[Vengeance]
Aaron’s two sons
[Disobedience]
Moses and Aaron’s other two sons
[Laziness & Compromise]
Pontius Pilate
[Convenience]
Joseph’s brothers were Content with Vengeance
Vengeance “Joseph came to his brothers, they stripped him of his robe—the ornate robe he was wearing— 24 and they took him and threw him into the empty cistern... 25 As they sat down to eat their meal, they looked up and saw a caravan of Ishmaelites… on their way to take them down to Egypt. 26 Judah said to his brothers, “What will we gain if we kill our brother and cover up his blood? 27 Come, let’s sell him to the Ishmaelites and not lay our hands on him”… His brothers agreed… his brothers pulled Joseph up out of the cistern and sold him for twenty shekels of silver to the Ishmaelites, who took him to Egypt.”
-Genesis 37:23-28
The Death of Aaron’s two sons Nadab and Abihu because they were Content to disobey to God.
Leviticus 10:1-20
“Aaron’s sons Nadab and Abihu took their censers, put fire in them and added incense; and they offered unauthorized fire before the Lord, contrary to his command. 2 So fire came out from the presence of the Lord and consumed them, and they died before the Lord. 3 Moses then said to Aaron, “This is what the Lord spoke of when he said: “‘Among those who approach me I will be proved holy; in the sight of all the people I will be honored.’” [God’s way] Aaron remained silent.”
- Leviticus 10:1-3
God makes the rules…
We do not.
God accepts the sacrifices that he says that he accepts…
He does not accept the sacrifices that we feel like making.
The death of Jesus is the ONLY acceptable sacrifice that God accepts to get into heaven.
“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
-John 14:6
“For it is by GRACE you have been saved through faith—and this NOT from yourself, it is a GIFT of God, NOT BY WORKS so that no one can boast.”
-Ephesians 2:8:9
“… if righteousness could be gained through the law, [Good works] then Christ died for nothing.”
- Galatians 2:21
Moses and Aaron’s other two sons Content to be Lazy, Compromising and Defending sinful actions
“Moses said to Aaron and his remaining sons, Eleazar and Ithamar, “Take the grain offering … 13 Eat it in the sanctuary area, because it is your share and your sons’ share of the food offerings presented to the Lord; for so I have been commanded…. eat the breast that was waved and the thigh that was presented…16 When Moses inquired about the goat of the sin offering and found that it had been burned up, he was angry … and asked, 17 “Why didn’t you EAT the sin offering in the sanctuary area? It is most holy; it was given to you to take away the guilt of the community by making atonement for them before the Lord. 18 Since its blood was not taken into the Holy Place, you should have eaten the goat in the sanctuary area, as I commanded.” 19 Aaron replied to Moses, [Defending his 2 sons who were still alive] “Today they sacrificed their sin offering and their burnt offering before the Lord, but such things as this have happened to me. Would the Lord have been pleased if I had eaten the sin offering today?” 20 When Moses heard this, he was satisfied.” [Content with a lame answer. Moses did not want to deal with it. “Compromise”]
- Leviticus 10:1-20
Pontius Pilate was Content to Cover his own tail
“Pilate took Jesus and had him flogged. 2 The soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head. They clothed him in a purple robe 3 and went up to him again and again, saying, “Hail, king of the Jews!” And they slapped him in the face. 4 Once more Pilate came out and said to the Jews gathered there, “Look, I am bringing him out to you to let you know that I find no basis for a charge against him.” 5 When Jesus came out wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe, Pilate said to them, “Here is the man!” 6 As soon as the chief priests and their officials saw him, they shouted, “Crucify! Crucify!” But Pilate answered, “You take him and crucify him. As for me, I find no basis for a charge against him.” 7 The Jewish leaders insisted, “We have a law, and according to that law he must die, because he claimed to be the Son of God.” 8 When Pilate heard this, he was even more afraid, 9 and he went back inside the palace. “Where do you come from?” he asked Jesus, but Jesus gave him no answer. 10 “Do you refuse to speak to me?” Pilate said. “Don’t you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?” 11 Jesus answered, “You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin.” 12 From then on, Pilate tried to set Jesus free, BUT the Jewish leaders kept shouting, “If you let this man go, you are no friend of Caesar. Anyone who claims to be a king opposes Caesar.” 13 When Pilate heard this, he brought Jesus out and sat down on the judge’s seat… 14 It was the day of Preparation of the Passover; it was about noon. “Here is your king,” Pilate said to the Jews. 15 But they shouted, “Take him away! Take him away! Crucify him!” “Shall I crucify your king?” Pilate asked. “We have no king but Caesar,” the chief priests answered. 16 Finally Pilate handed him over to them to be crucified.”
-John 19:1-16
Matthew 27 records
“While Pilate was sitting on the judge’s seat, his wife sent him this message: “Don’t have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him.” 20 But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus executed. 21 “Which of the two do you want me to release to you?” asked the governor. “Barabbas,” they answered. 22 “What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called the Messiah?” Pilate asked. They all answered, “Crucify him!” 23 “Why? What crime has he committed?” asked Pilate. But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify him!” 24 When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. “I am innocent of this man’s blood,” he said. “It is your responsibility!” 25 All the people answered, “His blood is on us and on our children!” 26 Then he released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified.”
- Matthew 27:19-26
Pilate was Content with Evil because it was most convenient for him.
Q: How many times do people turn their heads and look the other way?
They are being content with things that are wrong?
“Biblical Contentment” that combats all “Sinful Contentment”
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about SUCH things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. 10 I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him [God] who gives me strength.”
-Philippians 4:4-13
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