is discontent necessarily so malicious? perhaps not something to latch on to, but at times a useful litmus test for issues that require attention….

just thinking out loud, please disregard until after i read Epictetus again.

I’ve been thinking about this a lot in the past year. I agree with your premises if you’re talking about contentment with one’s circumstances. In fact, I think that if we practice gratefulness (which leads to humility), we regain the ability to be delighted and surprised by our blessings. It’s very hard to be jaded and cynical when you’re startled by how beautiful the world is.

On the other hand, I think a certain amount of discontent with oneself is a necessary precursor to change. I’m not talking about wallowing in self-loathing or anything (just try to be surprised by beauty in that state of mind); I’m talking about a recognition that my character flaws play a part in the state of my relationships. If I want those to be the best they can be, I can’t rest on my laurels, content to let other people change to suit me.

I’m talking about the discontentment of Solomon, who was unable to enjoy the good things God had given him because he was unable to find contentment in them. In fact, this was the first part of the message that I wrote:

There are things about which we ought to be discontent - as people of faith, we are ambassadors of a better way, and we ought to be discontent with the brokenness of this world.

If your neighbor is in need, his children are going without food, there is no virtue in your contentment - you ought to be discontent with his poverty.

If you fall, repeatedly, into the same sinful traps, and find yourself again, falling down drunk at 3 am, or embroiled in gossip, or selfish yet again in the face of need, there is no virtue in throwing up your hands and saying, “I am content.” You ought to be discontent with that endemic, relentless sin.

That’s not the kind of discontentment we’re talking about here. We are talking about the discontent of Solomon - the inability to rest in good things, the inability to enjoy God’s blessings. We’re talking about the discontent heart that robs you of joy. That steals away your peace. That turns the gifts of God to ashes in your mouth, and turns your heart to anger.

Is this the weekend I’m leading worship for you?

:)

yes.

Make sure we have someone ready to push “Record” that week. I will want to hear this when I return.

Who needs a calendar when you have Addy?

ok guys, you almost sucked me into this whole “bible and philosophy and mike writes a sermon” bit. that’s great but when are we playing cards. i’m just saying…

What’s the problem, Ben, are you discontent with the lack of card playing in your life?

content–The Greek, literally expresses “independent of others, and having sufficiency in one’s self.” But Christianity has raised the term above the haughty self-sufficiency of the heathen Stoic to the contentment of the Christian, whose sufficiency is not in self, but in God
To come into relationship with God and be satisfied with the path that you travel together.(?)

well played mike. looking forward to the final version.

Phil. 4:13 is the key. When Christ is the well of strength contentment reigns. That is why Paul could say he learned the secret. he did not draw his strength from his circumstances, his abundance, his successes… His weaknesses, his want did not deplete his strength either. His strength came from a much deeper, unchanging well, Jesus Christ.

Philippians tone is evedence of the well from which Paul drew. It’s message is about that well and the resulting JOY is the fruit of drawing from that well. Have fun Michael.

Leonard, there’s one thing I’ll add to that, which is that gratitude places us in proper mental relationship to Chris, and allows us to receive that contentment.

In that whole passage, it’s the “in plenty” that catches me up short. I like Paul’s insinuation that there is a secret to being content in the midst of abundance, and that contentment is not the natural fruit of having plenty.

who is Chris?

The engineer at Eldorado. He is the source of all contentment.

I will make sure that I am full of gratitude when I go to meet him then

You better, or he will shoot lazer beams out of his eyes, and your body will be consumed in a raging fire of metal guitar riffs. He’s that awesome.

And even in the midst of my body being consumed in the raging fire… I shall be content. I hope this illustration makes your sermon cut.

How can it not? I’ve already done a pencil drawing of it!

he even recorded the audio of said pencil hitting paper.

I hope you are satisfied with the message.