Contentment

Learning to be content is a crucial component in your walk with God especially when it comes to reaching out to the world. Paul was someone who had endured some horrible times and challenges. Having been in dungeons and suffered for the sake of spreading the good news of Jesus. Paul went through a lot of persecution during his time. But even through it all, he still got back up continuing what he was called to do. So how did he persevere through all the trials and persecution? He learned to be content in all situations.
“Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.” – Philippians 4:10-11.
So, what does it mean to be content? Contentment means to be sufficient with what you have. From a natural perspective of Paul’s situations, it would be easy to say that it would be impossible to be content when you’re chained and thrown into a dungeon barely getting by. Yet, Paul considered himself content even in those times. Why? Well, was not Paul sufficient with where he was at? He may not have had food or clothes in the dungeon, but He had the peace which surpasses all understanding.
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.’ – Philippians 4:6-7.
Peace and contentment go hand-in-hand. Peace can be found and even magnified in the midst of a storm and contentment can be found in the midst of everything going wrong and horrible. In all these tiring situations, we can have peace knowing that we will be content and have the sufficient strength through Christ to get through to the next step and the next season of life. It will surpass your understanding because that is what Christ’s strength and sufficiency does. If it didn’t go beyond us then our own strength would be comparable to it. It would then allow for confidence in our own fleshly strength which is not of God. The things of God cannot be accomplished but only through godly strength. Paul knew and learned how to thrive and prosper through the course of life even when he was hungry or full. Paul even shared in the next verse how he learned to be content in all situations.
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” – Philippians 4:13.
When he was in need, it wasn’t by his own strength that he was supplied for. Do you think Paul or anyone else could have endured what he had gone through by fleshly strength? No, the flesh would have failed because it is dependent on circumstances. To be content is to be independent of external circumstances. If our strength is dependent on circumstances, then we cannot be content at all in life unless circumstances go our way. Godly contentment is independent of circumstances because it is by Christ’s strength which isn’t ours, but He will freely give us if we ask. This is why Paul was so easily content even in chains or being beaten! It didn’t matter how hungry or full he was because contentment is independent of all that. Paul knew God would supply him with what he needed, and God never once failed nor will He.
“Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition.” – 1 Timothy 6:6-9.
What these verses are telling us is that we came into this world with nothing and when we leave it, we will take nothing. Gold, silver, money, cars, homes, anything material will all perish. Therefore, in the end, we will gain nothing. However, it also says that godliness with contentment is great gain which means this. We are here in this world with a mission. Materials and resources will come and go but the Lord doesn’t. Therefore, we need to live godly and blameless lives being content and satisfied whether hungry or full fulfilling the mission placed on each one of our lives to help the world we live in showing Jesus and His love so that people may see Him and desire Him. No greater reward is there than to dwell with Christ for eternity at home. We should desire that for everyone else too. That is why we are still on this earth to help people receive that. However, if we are too driven by circumstances or what we have and don’t have, then how can our focus be so precise on the mission at hand? Look at the verses above. The Word even specifically tells us that those who desire richness, wealth, or such things fall into a trap that leads them nowhere for wealth and resources are just a tool. What is a construction worker’s focus? It is to complete the construction using the tool. But if we get so focused on our tools then we forget about the construction at hand which is the purpose of a tool. The purpose of money and resources is to be a tool we can use to aid in the mission of reaching this world. If we only care about our tools, which are wealth and resources, then what good do those tools do if we never use them? Too many of us have gotten so focused on expanding the collection of tools we have that we actually never use any of them, rendering it all pointless. This is why we need to be content with the tools we are given for God gives us everything we need to complete the construction. True contentment isn’t the issue of what you have or don’t have; it is about striving forward regardless of what you have or don’t have. Contentment is a persistence that is steadfast not being wavered by the circumstances of this world. So overall, contentment is to be sufficient, not being influenced or dependent upon external circumstances. We need to pair this with godliness so that we may reach the world regardless of what we have or don’t have. Besides, the secret to being content is this: regardless of where we are at, or what we have, know that we will always have Christ and He will never fail to supply you with what you need. He will never fail to give you the strength to endure what comes against you. The only way you can be influenced by this world, which causes you to not be content, is your response to how He aids and helps you. You can choose to be content with Him or be influenced by circumstances.