Unlocking Christian Contentment.
10 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that
now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned
for me, but you had no opportunity. 11 Not that I am speaking of being in need,
for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12 I know how to
be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have
learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do
all things through him who strengthens me. 14 Yet it was kind of you to share
my trouble. 15 And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the
gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in
giving and receiving, except you only. 16 Even in Thessalonica you sent me help
for my needs once and again. 17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit
that increases to your credit. 18 I have received full payment, and more. I am
well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant
offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. 19 And my God will supply
every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 20 To our
God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen. 21 Greet every saint in Christ
Jesus. The brothers who are with me greet you. 22 All the saints greet you,
especially those of Caesar’s household. 23 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ
be with your spirit. (Philippians 4:10-23)
So we come to the end of Philippians and the final blog in the series on Christian contentment.
The seven ‘keys’ to Christian
Contentment.
First, the
contented Christian is secure in God’s providence. Paul writes in verse 10, “I
rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern
for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity.” The
Philippian believers had great concern for Paul, but because he was constantly
on the move, and also because there was no WhatsApp or email, they often did
not know where Paul was located. The
point to be made is that Paul was utterly secure in God’s providence. He knew
that God would provide for him at exactly the right time. Do you want to be
content? It starts with a secure confidence in God’s providence.
Second, the
contented Christian is satisfied in whatever situation. Paul writes in verse
11, “Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever
situation I am to be content.” This statement flows from the previous one. Paul
was chained to a Roman soldier, living in tiny quarters, and subsisting on a meagre
diet. Nevertheless, he could affirm his complete contentment, in spite of his
circumstances. True contentment comes only from God, and enables believers to
be satisfied and at ease in the midst of any problem.”
Third, the
contented Christian is fulfilled in every circumstance. Paul elaborates on
verse 11. He writes in verse 12, “I know how to be brought low, and I know how
to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing
plenty and hunger, abundance and need.” Paul had wonderful highs, and he had
miserable lows. Yet, in every
circumstance, he was content. However, it did not just happen. He says that he
“learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.”
Contentment was not a personality attribute. It was not a character trait. No.
Paul learned to be content. Few Christians experience the trials and
difficulties that Paul did. Let us learn to be content in every circumstance.
Fourth, the
contented Christian is strengthened through Christ. Paul writes in verse 13, “I
can do all things through him who strengthens me.” This is one of the most
misinterpreted verses in all of Scripture. It is used as an inspirational verse
to mean, “I can do anything through him who strengthens me” or “I can do
everything through him who strengthens me.” But that is not what verse 13
means. As with any passage of Scripture,
the context governs its meaning. Paul is saying that in every circumstance in
which he finds himself, whether facing plenty or in hunger, whether in
abundance or in need, he will be divinely strengthened to do anything and
everything that God calls him to do. He is convinced that as he goes about his
ministry, Christ will give him the strength to accomplish his calling.
Fifth, the
contented Christian is resting in God’s promise. Paul writes in verses 14-16,
“Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble. And you Philippians yourselves
know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church
entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. Even
in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again.” He affirms the
Philippians for their support of him. In fact, in verse 18 he writes, “I have
received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from
Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable
and pleasing to God.” In verse 17, Paul says that his joy was not because of
the material benefit that the Philippians’ gift brought to him, but because of
the spiritual benefit their gift was to them, “Not that I seek the gift, but I
seek the fruit that increases to your credit.” And so Paul concludes this
section with a wonderful affirmation in verse 19, “And my God will supply every
need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” Of all the promises in God’s word,
Philippians 4:19 is the most precious. “And my God will supply every need of
yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” Whatever your need,
not your wants, God will supply it. The contented Christian is resting in God’s
promise.
Sixth, the
contented Christian is consumed with God’s glory. Paul writes in verse 20, “To
our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.” Paul would affirm the
answer to the first question of the Westminster Shorter Catechism, “Man’s chief
end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever.” He was consumed with the
glory of God. And that should be our goal too. True contentment lies in being
consumed with the glory of God.
And seventh,
the contented Christian is filled with God’s grace. Paul writes a final
greeting in verse 21-22, “Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brothers who
are with me greet you. All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar’s
household.” And then Paul concludes his letter with verse 23, “The grace of the
Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.” Paul understood that the Christian
life, from start to finish, is a life of grace. We are the recipients of God’s
grace, and contentment is found in knowing and experiencing the grace of God
every moment of every day in our lives.
Summing it all up.
John Piper is
well known for his statement, “God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied
in him.” That is really a statement about contentment. True contentment is
found only in God. So, let us find all our satisfaction in God, and we will
discover true and lasting contentment.
Prayer for the day.
Our Gracious God,
We thank you
for your Word, that we might learn through it and through the example of your
faithful servant Paul what it means to be content as a Christian. This last year has brought us many new
challenges and when we look at our circumstances it is easy to feel overwhelmed
and far from content. May we take
encouragement through what we have learned today and apply it to our lives that
we might find true contentment in you.
We ask in Jesus’
name and for His glory.
Amen.
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