Learning to be Content

Philippians 4:11-13

¹¹ I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. ¹² 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. ¹³ I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

This was a major life-statement for Apostle Paul. He learnt to be content – no matter what the circumstances. He knew what it is to be in plenty and what it is to be in want.

So many Christians are discontent with who they are or what they have. They look longingly to the ‘past’ or look yearningly toward the ‘future.’ They are unhappy in the ‘now.’ Thus they completely miss out on enjoying their ‘every day.’ Are you one of them?

A t-shirt caption read: “All I want is a little bit more than I’ll ever have.” Basically the advertisers are saying, “To be happy, you’ll need more.”

People take that bait and are caught up in a chronic lifestyle of greed and materialism. They always want what their friends have – whether it be a house, or jewelry, or car or the latest electronic gadget. They begin to live beyond their mean often charging on their credit card and ending up taking huge loans to maintain their lifestyle.  Some people are never happy, no matter how much God blesses them.

What is contentment?

Holman Bible Dictionary put it this way: “It is an internal satisfaction which does not demand changes in external circumstances”

Contentment is that inner sense of self-sufficiency which says, "No matter what comes along, I have the God-given confidence and capacity to meet it head-on."

That’s the trait of a true child of God. He is content in every circumstance. It goes beyond a sense of financial security.

I Timothy 6:6-8 ⁶ But godliness with contentment is great gain. ⁷ For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. ⁸ But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 

How can you be content?

1. By being grateful in every circumstance.

2. By being happy for the small things in life.

3. By living beyond your circumstances.

4. By trusting that God is good and He will never leave His children.

Hebrews 13:5 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.”

In Matthew 6:32, 33 Jesus tells us to be content with what we have. He gave us a direct command not to worry about the things of this world. And then He adds, “For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.” In essence a lack of contentment is sin and it puts us in the same category as those who do not know God.

By being content, you don’t live in your past nor look restlessly to the future but you take advantage of the moment, enjoy the grace of God and live each day to its fullest.

“Contentment makes poor men rich,

Discontentment makes rich men poor.”

- Benjamin Franklin