Clay Smith JFBC
How to actually enjoy your life
Ecclesiastes 5:10-20
A tool is not good or bad, depending on how you use it. Everything we have belongs to God. We are to be generous and good stewards of what God has given us. It's easy to have greed, but no one rarely confesses it like they do other sins.
Three proverbs are three warnings…
1. v 10 money never satisfies…if I can get this, I’ll be happy. Is my heart satisfied? What am I addicted to? Am I wealthy? We live in one of the wealthiest neighborhoods in the wealthiest country in the world.
2. v 11 …money multiples problems. The more you have, the more you want to consume. MC Hammer made millions, but had 200 on his payroll. He went bankrupt.
3. v 12 …money shortens life. Those who live life hand to mouth actually sleep better than the rich, because they work and live hard, unlike those constantly worried about their money. If you live where food is plentiful, you will live longer. A main reason is people there sleep better.
v 13-17 an example story / parable. What good is accumulating money if you have no one to share it with?
Ulysses S Grant, a national hero, lost everything in a Ponzi scheme.
Augusta National is a beautiful place, but it wasn’t by accident. Clifford Roberts built the Masters by being ruthless. He was worth $100 million. At 83 he went out and killed himself.
Lots of danger in having lots of wealth.
What’s the point? Chasing more keeps you conflicted, but receiving from God helps you learn to be content.
v 18-20 find enjoyment in the work that God gives you. Accept all that God has given you.
How to receive contentment from God...
1. Keep going back to Jesus. Understand who He is and what He’s done. Be filled with the Holy Spirit. Repent of your sins.
Phil 4:10-13 I’ve learned to be content in any circumstance. I’ve learned the secret, in abundance and in need. I can do all things in Jesus Christ who strengthens me. It’s not tacking God’s name onto things that I want.
2. Enjoy God’s simple gifts. Eat and drink and taking pleasure in the simple things. Enjoy the things you do with your hands. Don’t be so concerned with what you don’t have. Enjoy the simple things In life.
Count Nicolas Von Zinzinmon was a very rich man who allowed Moravians to live on his property. Then they went around the world converting others to Christ, even selling themselves into slavery. The count said “Preach the gospel. Die. Be forgotten“.
Bryan Fox JFBC Sunday School
Genesis 16
Don’t be too hard on Abram and Sarai - don’t blame them for the current Arab / Israel conflict. Polygamy not forbidden by rule, but in every case mentioned in the Bible it has negative consequences.
Despite infertility, Abram and Sarai were blessed. Why did Abram tell Sarai to do whatever she wished? Why did Sarai cast Hagar out?
“Wild donkey of a man” doesn’t have to be a bad thing. Hagar is thrilled, because the son of a slave woman will be free. She’s the only character in the Bible who gives God a name that sticks.
God is compassionate to a slave woman.
Exodus 2
1. God hears your cries
2. God remembers His promises.
3. God saw
4. God knew
5. Therefore, God will act in our behalf - in God’s own time
Rev 21 God will make His home with us. He will take away our tears. What a great, compassionate God that we serve.
33 in Sunday School
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