The Pursuit of Contentment

This sermon was given by Jason Strain, our worship pastor.

What would you do with a million dollars? A kid might buy infinite Kraft Dinner, while an adult might grumble that a million dollars isn’t worth as much as it used to be. Either way, the joy money brings is fleeting. Wealthy celebrities like Chuck Norris and Jim Carrey have warned that wealth leads to misery more often than happiness.

This isn’t a new discovery. Money has always tempted people, rich and poor alike, away from God, the only source of true happiness. It encourages us to put our trust in things we can’t take with us into eternity (1 Timothy 6:6-10). The love of money can even worm its way into our faith when we fixate on the idea that God will reward our obedience with a dollar value. That isn’t faith; it’s using God as a means to a material end (Matthew 6:19-21).

The secret to overcoming money’s temptation is printed on every American dollar bill: In God We Trust. God promises to bless our obedience, not necessarily by making us rich, but by providing the daily necessities we worry about most. We don’t need to obsess over whether we have enough to provide for ourselves. God has us covered (Hebrews 13:5-6). That frees us to pursue the real joy and peace that come from building our relationship with Him (Romans 15:13).

Through all of this, it’s important to remember what money is for. It isn’t good to be poor, nor is it wrong to be rich. We should thank God for whatever He gives us and use it to build His Kingdom (1 Timothy 6:17-19). That’s what tithing is for. It isn’t an obligation, but an invitation to give generously and trust that God will keep you afloat.

This week, consider being more generous than you think you can. Giving beyond what feels comfortable opens the door for God to work more deeply in your heart.

You can watch the full sermon here.