From Calvary Chapel of Roswell

Pastor Jim Suttle

Msg #488                       Wednesday, December 19, 2007

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(Heb 13:5)  "Let your conduct be without covetousness;

be content with such things as you have.

For He Himself has said,

"I will never leave you nor forsake you."" 

What would it take to make you satisfied?  What is it you really want?

With only days before Christmas, it is possible that you have found yourself asking something like these very questions.   Christmas is a funny season, that in one sense more giving and money is spent now than at any other time of year.   Yet…often satisfaction runs at its lowest level.

Perhaps it has happened to you in exactly this way.   Before Christmas, you were not aware of any great lack in life, there may not have been any great needs that you had.  But then you went shopping, then you looked at the ad papers - now there are many things that you “just must have” or at least would “really like”.  Maybe it is not for yourself, perhaps you have discovered many things really want to buy for others.  If so, then like many other Americans you have been discovering in these last few weeks just how covetous you could become!

Christmas brings out covetousness like no other time of year.  It makes us yearn for things, and desire things that we did not even know existed.  It causes young and old to want and desire.  Further it leads to such disappointment.  No matter how many wonderful gifts are opened during the season, for many it causes one to feel a little let down, disappointed because we really wanted more or that specific or special thing.

This is exactly opposite of how God would want us to live.  Instead of covetousness, He calls us to be content - satisfied with whatever we have.  Think about that phrase again in our verse above – “be content with such things as you have”.  Not looking without for one more thing that might bring satisfaction – but to honestly look at what you have – and be satisfied. 

Why, what is the secret of contentment?  Notice how the verse goes on:

be content with such things as you have.

For He Himself has said,

"I will never leave you nor forsake you."" 

The key to contentment – is God.  Recognizing He is with us and will never leave us.  Wow.   How is it that this should bring satisfaction?  Two things:

First and foremost – we find that it is God that satisfies – not stuff.  Focusing on Him brings us satisfaction.  Make Him your focus today!

Secondly – it is recognizing that God is taking care of us.  The idea of God being with us in this context, includes focusing on His care for us.  Or to put it negatively:  Covetousness is an insult to Him.  To be covetous is to actually tell God, “I don’t think you are taking very good care of me.”  

Yikes…that is not how God would have us to life. 

Today, I want to call you to a higher standard.  A standard that will shine to all those around you.  Simply, be content with whatever you have, knowing it is God who is providing for you!

(Heb 13:5)  "Let your conduct be without covetousness;

be content with such things as you have.

For He Himself has said,

"I will never leave you nor forsake you."" 

Jim

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