The next profound lesson for Paul, learned first from experience, and then taught to us, is also fundamental to life. Let him tell us what it is.
Philippians 4:11-13 NLT
[11]”Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. [12] I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. [13] For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.”
How unfortunate that we so often quote verse 13 out of context! Paul is specific about this lesson…contentment. What is contentment?
“Contentment is the state of being happy and satisfied….Contentment isn’t an excited kind of happy, it’s more like a peaceful ease of mind.”
(https://www.vocabulary.com)
Contentment is the antidote to discontent, a state of mind that drives people into all kinds of bad behaviour, even to criminal activities.
With what are we to be content… with adverse circumstances? No, with the one who controls, monitors, and directs our circumstances. You see, once again, contentment is the fruit of implicit confidence in the one who works in all things for our good.
Discontent is a pernicious attitude of distrust in God. When we are discontented with what is happening in our lives, we are saying to God, “You are being unfair; you are shortchanging me; you don’t know what you are doing; you are not to be trusted!”
Wasn’t that Adam’s attitude in the Garden of Eden? Wasn’t it discontent that Satan sowed in his mind that led to his rebellion? Uncertainty about God’s love and intentions for him? Adam didn’t trust God enough to allow Him to set the rules that protected him, without explanation.
Can you see, then, how important it is that we settle the issue of who orchestrates our circumstances?
Proverbs 19:21-23 NIV
[21] “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails. [22] What a person desires is unfailing love; better to be poor than a liar. [23] The fear of the Lord leads to life; then one rests content, untouched by trouble.”
When we are convinced that God is in charge, we will be satisfied with whatever He does and provides because He is always working for our good IN ALL THINGS.
Once again, discontent is an assault on our trust in God…and again, the solution is simple.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 NLT
[18] “Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.”
A grateful heart puts our lives into perspective. We cannot be thankful and discontented at the same time since thanksgiving is the language of faith.
Contentment also takes care of our submission to the Lord and our obedience to His will. It will not be difficult to bow to His sovereignty if we are convinced of His goodness and His good intentions for us. So, if adversity is our lot for a while, we know that good will always be the end result.
Paul insists that this lesson, like all others tests of our faith, can only be learned successfully through the power of the Holy Spirit, Christ in us. We will struggle and lose if we try to be contented without Him. Contentment is the fruit of a heart set on God and…a part of our character that can only grow through testing.
Philippians 2:14-16 NLT
[14] “Do everything without complaining and arguing, [15] so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people. [16] Hold firmly to the word of life; then, on the day of Christ’s return, I will be proud that I did not run the race in vain and that my work was not useless.”