"I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances… I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation" (Philippians 4v11-12)

Discontent is dangerous, making us unhappy

• "You will not surely die," the serpent said to the woman. "For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil." (Genesis 3v4)
• What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you? You want something but don't get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. James 4v1-2)

Recognise that happiness does not come from what we have

• But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. (1 Timothy 6v6-10)
• “Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for.” (Epicurus)
• “We tend to forget that happiness doesn't come as a result of getting something we don't have, but rather of recognizing and appreciating what we do have.” (Frederick Keonig)
• 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." (Hebrews 13v5)

Jesus' teaching on contentment – Matthew 6v19-24

• Don’t make getting wealthy your goal – aim to serve God

Seek to give rather than to get

• I have not coveted anyone's silver or gold or clothing. You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions. In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.' " (Acts 20v33-35)
• "Bring the whole tithe... Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it. (Malachi 3v10)

Right relationship with God is key

• The fear of the LORD leads to life: Then one rests content, untouched by trouble. (Proverbs 19v23)
• Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart. (Psalm 37v4)
• The fear of the LORD leads to life: Then one rests content, untouched by trouble. (Proverbs 19v23)
• You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD, is the Rock eternal. (Isaiah 26v3-4)

Don't confuse contentment with complacency

• Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4v13-14)
• Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. (Matthew 5v48)
• Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. (Romans 12v2)

Concentrate on what is best in life

• whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things (Philippians 4v8)
• Therefore, holy brothers, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess. (Hebrews 3v1)

Keep an eternal perspective

• Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. (Colossians 3v1-2)

Trust in God, our heavenly Father, is the key to joy, happiness & contentment

• 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 4v12-13)
• … your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. (Matthew 6v32-34)