1. how to be content with what you have

2. James 1:9-11 The brother in humble circumstances ought to take pride in his high position. But the one who is rich should take pride in his low position, because he will pass away like a wild flower. For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich man will fade away even while he goes about his business.

3. James 5:1-3 Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming upon you. Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes. Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days.

4. James 5:4-6 Look! The wages you failed to pay the workmen who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty. You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter. You have condemned and murdered innocent men, who were not opposing you.

5. I. Realize the Poverty of Riches – v10

6. I. Realize the Poverty of Riches.
A. The rich are to take pride in their low position.

7. I. Realize the Poverty of Riches.
A. The rich are to take pride in their low position. 1. Rich (πλούσιος) = to be full, satisfied, have plenty.

8. I. Realize the Poverty of Riches.
A. The rich are to take pride in their low position. 1. Rich (πλούσιος) = to be full, satisfied, have plenty. 2. Take pride (καυχάομαι) = to boast.

9. I. Realize the Poverty of Riches.
A. The rich are to take pride in their low position. 3. Low position (ταπείνωσις) = lit. to push down, be of low esteem, to humble.

10. I. Realize the Poverty of Riches.
4. God is not as much concerned about how much money you have as He is about your attitude towards it & what you do with it.

11. It all belongs to God & He holds you accountable for it
I. Realize the Poverty of Riches.
4. God is not as much concerned about how much money you have as He is about your attitude towards it & what you do with it.
It all belongs to God & He holds you accountable for it
Matthew 25:14-30

12. I. Realize the Poverty of Riches. Wealth is a gift from God
4. God is not as much concerned about how much money you have as He is about your attitude towards it & what you do with it.
Wealth is a gift from God
Ecclesiates 5:19 - Moreover, when God gives any man wealth and possessions, and enables him to enjoy them, to accept his lot and be happy in his work — this is a gift of God.

13. I. Realize the Poverty of Riches.
5. You are to use your money to:
Romans 15:26 - For Macedonia and Achaia were pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem.

14. I. Realize the Poverty of Riches.
5. You are to use your money to:
Romans 15:26 - For Macedonia and Achaia were pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem.
I Corinthians 16:1 - Now about the collection for God’s people: Do what I told the Galatian churches to do.
Galatians 6:10 - Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

15. I. Realize the Poverty of Riches.
5. You are to use your money to:
I Corinthians 9:14 - In the same way, the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel.

16. I. Realize the Poverty of Riches.
5. You are to use your money to:
I Corinthians 9:14 - In the same way, the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel.
I Timothy 5:17 - The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching.

17. I. Realize the Poverty of Riches.
6. When you use your money selfishly:
Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days. – 5:3

18. I. Realize the Poverty of Riches.
6. When you use your money selfishly:
Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days. – 5:3
You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter. – 5:5

19. I. Realize the Poverty of Riches.
B. Why is earthly wealth really poverty?

20. I. Realize the Poverty of Riches.
B. Why is earthly wealth really poverty?
It’s only temporary
But the one who is rich should take pride in his low position, because he will pass away like a wild flower. For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich man will fade away even while he goes about his business. – 1:10-11

21. I. Realize the Poverty of Riches.
B. Why is earthly wealth really poverty?
It’s like a vapor
James 4:14 - Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.

22. I. Realize the Poverty of Riches. You can’t take it with you
B. Why is earthly wealth really poverty?
You can’t take it with you
James 4:14 - Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.
Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes. – 5:2

23. I. Realize the Poverty of Riches. Harder to get into heaven
C. The perils of wealth
Harder to get into heaven
Matthew 19:23 - Then Jesus said to his disciples, “I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.

24. I. Realize the Poverty of Riches.
C. The perils of wealth
Wealth chokes the Word
Matthew 13:7 & 22 - Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful.

25. I. Realize the Poverty of Riches. Wealth turns you away from the Lord
C. The perils of wealth
Wealth turns you away from the Lord
Luke 18: When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” When he heard this, he became very sad, because he was a man of great wealth.

26. I. Realize the Poverty of Riches – v10 II
I. Realize the Poverty of Riches – v10 II. Realize the Riches of Poverty – v9

27. II. Realize the Riches of Poverty.
A. The humble are to take pride in their high position.

28. Humbleness brings promises You will be greatest in the Kingdom
II. Realize the Riches of Poverty.
A. The humble are to take pride in their high position.
Humbleness brings promises
You will be greatest in the Kingdom
Matthew 18:4 - Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

29. Humbleness brings promises The Lord will lift you up
II. Realize the Riches of Poverty.
A. The humble are to take pride in their high position.
Humbleness brings promises
The Lord will lift you up
James 4:10 - Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.

30. II. Realize the Riches of Poverty.
B. How to act in a humble way.
Romans 12:3 - Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.

31. II. Realize the Riches of Poverty.
B. How to act in a humble way.
Romans 12:3 - Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.
Luke 14:10 - But when you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, ‘Friend, move up to a better place.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all your fellow guests.

32. II. Realize the Riches of Poverty.
B. How to act in a humble way.
I Peter 5:5 - Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older.

33. II. Realize the Riches of Poverty.
C. Examples of humbleness.
Matthew 15:27 – “but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.”

34. II. Realize the Riches of Poverty.
C. Examples of humbleness.
Matthew 15:27 – “but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.”
I Timothy 1:15 - Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners — of whom I am the worst

35. II. Realize the Riches of Poverty.
C. Examples of humbleness.
Luke 15: I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.”

36. II. Realize the Riches of Poverty.
C. Examples of humbleness.
Luke 15: I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.
Luke 18:13 - But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, “God, have mercy on me, a sinner”.

37. I. Realize the Poverty of Riches – v10 II
I. Realize the Poverty of Riches – v10 II. Realize the Riches of Poverty – v9 III. What’s It Like to Be Content?

38. III. What’s It Like to Be Content?
A. Knowing you obtained your money honestly.
Look! The wages you failed to pay the workmen who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty. – 5:4

39. III. What’s It Like to Be Content?
B. God commands you to be content.

40. III. What’s It Like to Be Content?
B. God commands you to be content.
Proverbs 15:6 - Better a little with the fear of the LORD than great wealth with turmoil.

41. III. What’s It Like to Be Content?
B. God commands you to be content.
Luke 3:14 - Then some soldiers asked him, “And what should we do?” He replied, “Don’t extort money and don’t accuse people falsely — be content with your pay.”

42. III. What’s It Like to Be Content?
B. God commands you to be content.
Luke 3:14 - Then some soldiers asked him, “And what should we do?” He replied, “Don’t extort money and don’t accuse people falsely — be content with your pay.”
Philippians 4:11 - I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.

43. III. What’s It Like to Be Content?
B. God commands you to be content.
Hebrews 13:5 - Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”

44. III. What’s It Like to Be Content?
C. What is money for?

45. III. What’s It Like to Be Content?
C. What is money for?
Romans 13:6 - This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing.

46. III. What’s It Like to Be Content?
C. What is money for?
Romans 13:6 - This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing.
I Timothy 5:8 - If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

47. III. What’s It Like to Be Content?
C. What is money for?
II Thessalonians 3: For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “If a man will not work, he shall not eat.” We hear that some among you are idle. They are not busy; they are busybodies. Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the bread they eat.

48. III. What’s It Like to Be Content?
C. What is money for?
I Timothy 6: Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.

49. God owns everything & gives to you according to His good pleasure
God owns everything & gives to you according to His good pleasure. Be thankful!

50. God has promised to provide your needs, but nothing more. Be thankful!

51. Often God provides more than He promised. Rejoice!

52. Whatever you receive, you will please the Lord by being content with it!