Would you say that you are a content person? I suppose most of us would say that being content is something we are always working on. We live in a very discontented world. We have a relative abundance of wealth and possessions, and yet many are continually dissatisfied. The Lord blesses with much abundance and yet the temptation is to always want more. For us in Christ Jesus, it shouldn’t be this way. The Lord wants his children to be content, as Paul wrote, “Not that I speak from want, for 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. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:11-13 NASB95)
What can we learn about contentment from Paul’s inspired words?
First, note that contentment is something that must be learned. It does not come naturally. How do we learn contentment? One way we learn it is to learn to reflect on our blessings. We often focus on the negative aspects of life. Focusing on the negative will cause us to grumble and complain and will blind us to the many amazing blessings God has given us. If we would learn to focus on His blessings, we will find much contentment. Another way that we can learn contentment is through practice. When we go through difficulties in life, we need to begin to see those moments as opportunities to learn. These are times in which God can teach us to be content in whatever circumstances we find ourselves in. This is something that Paul learned. We need to do the same.
Secondly, note that Paul had to learn contentment in times of scarcity, but also in times of abundance; in times of going hungry, but also in times of being filled. Isn’t it interesting that he had to learn contentment in times of abundance? Sometimes we are the most discontented when everything is going well; when we have all we need, and more. What do we learn from this strange phenomenon? Abundance is not what satisfies! We often think that we would finally be happy if we just had a little more than we have now. If we just had a little more money, a better job, a better home, we would finally be content. This simply isn’t true. Contentment isn’t about how much we have or do not have.
Finally, note that there is a secret to contentment. What is the secret that Paul discovered? “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” This is the secret! Contentment doesn’t come from experiencing ideal circumstances, nor does it come from our own self-sufficiency, nor our own strength. Contentment only comes from Christ and the strength He supplies! Jesus can give us the strength in our hearts to be content in whatever situation we may face. But we must learn to rely on Him and to draw from the strength He abundantly supplies. May God help us, in whatever we are facing, to learn to be content!
—Scott Colvin
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