[Please note: This morning we are looking at a series on “Setting Life’s Priorities”. For this series we will be looking at the following four Scriptures as main texts (several other texts will be referred to during our study)…
1. Eccl 6:7 (KJV) All the labour of man [is] for his mouth, and yet the appetite is not filled.
2. John 6:26-27 (KJV) Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled. Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.
3. 1Tim 6:6-8 (KJV) But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into [this] world, [and it is] certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
4. 2Pet 3:11-14 (KJV) [Seeing] then [that] all these things shall be dissolved, what manner [of persons] ought ye to be in [all] holy conversation and godliness, Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.
In my way of seeing things, one of the greatest needs in the world today is the need for each of us to come to an understanding of what is really important in life and beginning to seek those things above all others. May the Lord bless each one of us with knowledge, understanding, and wisdom as we attempt to come to an understanding of this very important subject.]
In our text, we see another key to helping us set our life’s priorities. This key is presented to us in two different phrases… “But godliness with contentment is great gain” & ” And having food and raiment let us be therewith content”. These phrases help us to understand that we are to set our life’s priorities using a contented spirit.
The Greek words translated “contentment” and “content” share the same Greek root word. It is a word that means “it is enough” or “I need no more”. Also, please notice that, in the context of our verses, a spirit of contentment involves both the physical and spiritual areas of our life. Contentment is related to both “godliness” (spiritual aspect) and “food and raiment” (physical aspect).
What a wonderful blessing it is to be able to say, “Dear Lord, I can see you working in my life spiritually… I can see your intervention on my behalf; I can see your graces allowing me to bear fruit for you; I can see you are maturing me”…. This is all I need. And likewise, “Dear Lord, you have given me food to eat and clothing to wear… this is enough for me.”
It is with this spirit that we are to set our life’s priorities. To recognize that our spiritual growth and service to Christ should be our first priority and that all other areas of our life run a VERY distant second in priority helps us to make our daily and long-term priorities for our lives. This is turn, allows us to keep the instructions given to us in Col 3:1-4…
“If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, [who is] our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.”
To summarize our series so far….
1. We are told that we are to live our life for that which brings us lasting satisfaction and fulfillment. (Eccl 6:7)
2. One step in achieving this goal is to ask the question “Does this labor I am about to undertake have any lasting, spiritual value?” (John 6:26-27)
3. Another step in setting our life’s examples involves recognizing the role of contentment in both the spiritual and physical aspects of our lives. (1 Tim 6:6-8)
May the Lord bless us as we “Think On These Things”.
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