Contentment
“I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need.” Philippians 4:11-12
What an amazing statement to make – “I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.”! So many people today, though they would desire to, cannot make such a claim. They live day-by-day thinking that if they just get a certain thing, or to a certain place, or have a certain relationship, then they will be satisfied – content. But it never comes about – even though they may reach the goal they desired - they still find no peace, no joy, no contentment.
How could the Apostle Paul make such a claim? Either he was a big deceiver and liar or he was honest in his claim. I believe he is being quite honest and sincere – he truly was content no matter what his lot in life was. How did he come to such a place in his walk with God?
The apostle had reached this point in his life because he had a right view about God and as a result he had a right view about life – he knew what really mattered. I like how D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones summarized the apostle’s possible thought process in how he came to be content:
“Paul had come to learn this truth by working out a great argument…I think that the Apostle’s logic goes something like this. He said to himself:
1. Conditions are always changing, therefore I must obviously not be dependent upon conditions.
2. What matters supremely and vitally is my soul and my relationship to God – this is the first thing.
3. God is concerned about me as my Father, and nothing happens to me apart from God.
4. God’s will and God’s ways are a great mystery, but I know that whatever He wills or permits is, of necessity, for my good.
5. Every situation in life is the unfolding of some manifestation of God’s love and goodness. Therefore my business is to look for each special manifestation of God’s goodness and kindness and to be prepared for surprises and blessings.
6. Therefore I must not regard circumstances and conditions in and of themselves, but as a part of God’s dealings with me in the work of perfecting my soul and bringing me to final perfection.
7. Whatever my conditions may be at this present moment they are only temporary, they are only passing, and they can never rob me of the joy and the glory that ultimately await me with Christ.”
The Apostle had a right view about life because he had a right view about God. He had come to a right view about God because he had come to Christ. Christ is the secret that he had come to realize, “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me” (v13). Christ is the only one who can bring contentment to a person’s life – He alone gives satisfaction and joy to our heart, mind, soul, and being. Contentment is only found in Christ – not in things, or circumstances (no matter how good those things may be).
Do you believe this? Let me just say, if you are content, then you do believe it. If you’re not content, then you simply do not believe that Christ is sufficient for all areas of your life, no matter what circumstance you are in. If this is the case, then please, my friend, start looking, trusting, resting, relying, & doing all things through Him. Do this and you, like the apostle Paul, will learn to be content in whatever circumstance you are in. The promise is true; I can do all things through Him who strengthens me, because Christ is the fulfillment of the promise!
By God's Grace ~ Through God's Word ~ For God's Glory!
Chuck Long
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