Wednesday September 4, 2013

Read Ecclesiastes 2:8, Philippians 4:10-13

Australians spend up to $110 million on Lotto each week, trying to win the big one. Melbourne Cup gambling hovers around $150 million per race. Added to this, the Problem Gambling Website reports that New South Wales clubs and hotels make around $3.5 billion each year on gaming machines while Australian casinos have an income of around $2.2 million. What these figures suggest is that Australians are, by and large, seeking to become wealthy. The mighty dollar bill has never been so mighty and sought after.

The Teacher in Ecclesiastes amassed for himself the treasure of kings. He grew his fortune of silver and gold and had, literally, everything he ever wanted. 1 Kings 10:14-29 details the extravagance of Solomon’s wealth. Each year he received about 25 tons of gold plus revenue from merchants and traders. He received income from all the Arabian kings and from the governors of the land. Visitors from around the world sought his audience and brought expensive and lavish gifts as well as gold. He was so wealthy that silver became as common as stones in Jerusalem. Yet for all this, he concluded that money or wealth was meaningless. It could not satisfy the human heart. It could not and would not fill the God-shaped void that exists in every human heart.

When Jesus came into our world He described Himself as greater than Solomon (Luke 11:31). He promised His followers better wealth than Solomon and encouraged His followers to store up eternal wealth in heaven where rust and moth and tax man could not destroy it.

Pursing Jesus is the key to fulfilment above and beyond wealth so much so that the Apostle Paul could declare that he had learnt the secret of being content in any and every situation whether he was well fed or hungry, whether he was in want or had plenty. Paul was content apart from his situation because he was in Christ. The secret to being content is to be growing in Christ Jesus.

Regardless of our financial situation we can be content and happy in Him.

 

Prayer:

Write down at least one prayer point in each category based on the following verse.

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.

I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

Philippians 4:12-13

Adoration:

 

Confession:

 

Thanks:

 

Supplication:

¥ Pray that each and every single believer in your congregation would be content in what they have and that they would willingly and joyfully submit to God and worship Him. Pray that each person would do everything through the power of Christ.

¥ Pray that God would provide the needs of Straight Talk Ministries. Ask God to bless Jim and Faye in this ministry and to lead and guide them as they seek to serve in schools.

 

Discussion Questions For Families and Groups

1. Do you think that the people who are arguing about the service at Ducksville are content in Christ? Why or why not?

2. How can they grow in contentment in Christ?

3. Why should we be seeking to grow in contentment?