Contented Life

Contented Life

Philippians 4:10-13

Are you a person who is constantly wishing for more, for something better, or for something different?  Are you rarely satisfied or content with life?

Paul rejoiced in the Lord for Philippians gave the gift the ultimate source behind the gift was God. 

Paul clearly understood that the real source of his bread and butter was God, not men. 

He also rejoiced in the Lord because the gift to him was evidence of the Philippian's spiritual growth and Christ’s work in their lives.

Contentment does not come naturally and it takes time to learn it.

He learned godly contentment, not human contentment. 

He learned to be content with nothing in the realm of physical needs.  It is against all human nature to be content with very little in life.

Paul does not condemn poverty as though it were some great social evil.

There is no sin in being broke. 

Often God uses these circumstances to teach us contentment and our complete need of Jesus Christ in all circumstances. 

We must learn our adequacy and sufficiency is not in things but in Christ alone.

Paul was not against people having money and material things, for he says that he at times abounded in material possessions.

There is nothing inherently wrong or sinful about having money. 

It is the love of money that is sinful, for in this state a person becomes obsessed with things. 

Paul reiterates that he personally knew plenty and poverty.  He knew hunger, thirst, cold, nakedness, physical suffering, mental torture, and persecution.  In it all, he found contentment.

Paul reveals to us the source of his contentment or self-sufficiency.  That source is Jesus Christ.  Christ becomes a fountain of infinite strength, enabling him to cope with the various situations of life.

Christians can find contentment in Christ.

If you are thinking that Christ will not give you strength for your particular situation or that He cannot work or will not work in your circumstance to give you contentment.

I am the LORD, the God of all mankind.  Is anything too hard for me” (Jer. 32:27)

Let us Pray:

Heavenly Father, help us to understand our heart that we will know how to handle our mind, how to manage our wealth, how to be content, and look to you the all-knowing God who supplies all your needs. In Jesus Name. Amen.