CONTENTMENT Philippians 4:10-13

Today’s subject is one that affects each one of us— CONTENTMENT. So, what is contentment? It comes from a Greek word that means to be satisfied, to have enough. Let me give you some definitions that might help you to grasp what Paul meant when he challenged the Philippians to be content.

Contentment is a state of satisfaction that is anchored to our confidence in God that results in a joyful celebration of life.

“An internal satisfaction which does not demand changes in external circumstances”—Holman Bible Dictionary.

“Christian contentment is that sweet inward quiet, that gracious frame of spirit which freely submits to and delights in God’s wise and fatherly disposal in every condition.” Puritan writer Jeremiah Burroughs

Here’s my simple definition—“Contentment is knowing that God will provide everything you need for every circumstance you encounter.”

We live in a world that assaults us with the message that we need something else to make us happy and content. That message focuses on our need for more money, for a newer car, for a bigger house, for an exotic

1 vacation, for a lean body, for fewer wrinkles, for a new hair color, for the latest Xbox, etc. As a result, we often find ourselves discontented with our job, with our spouse, even with our church. Discontentment leads to disaster!

 Israel (in the wilderness) was discontented with the leadership of Moses, with the manna God provided, with God and His plan for their nation. Discontent- ment led to an entire generation dying in the wilderness without ever seeing the Promised Land.  Adam and Eve were discontented with God’s plan for them in them in the Garden of Eden. They believed Satan’s lie and launched the entire human race into the horror of sin and living in a fallen world.  David’s discontentment led to his fling with Bathsheba and the ruthless murder of her husband. His whole family was adversely affected.

The Bible teaches us not only that we must be content. It teaches us that we can be content.

“Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, ‘I WILL NEVER DESERT YOU, NOR WILL I EVER FORSAKE YOU….’” (Hebrews 13:5, NASB95)

“But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment. For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either. If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content. But those who want to get rich fall

2 into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” (1 Timothy 6:6–10, NASB95)

Twice in our text today, Paul says that he has “learned” to be content. Contentment does not come naturally to the sinful human heart. God promises to do His part, and we must do our part (Philippians 2:12-13). Here’s the point of today’s message.

JESUS SATISFIES EVERY NEED WE HAVE!

You’ve got to remember that Paul wrote this letter when he was in a Roman prison chained to a Roman soldier. In spite of these horrid conditions, he challenged believers to be content as they faced the ups and downs of life.

How can we learn to be content? First, we must learn to…

1. CONNECT WITH OTHER BELIEVERS (10)

One thing you can be absolutely sure of is this—God is in charge of every situation you face! I want you to see that God’s providential care can be delivered to us through an outright miracle or through the ministry of the Body of Christ.

It amazes me that Paul is not frustrated. Here we find Paul in the midst of miserable conditions and yet he is rejoicing that the Philippian church has sent a generous gift to meet his needs. They came through big time here!

One of the greatest things that can happen to us in difficult times is simply to know that somebody in the church cares for us. That’s why we constantly stress the importance of plugging in to small groups like a Bible Fellowship class. In this context, you get to know a small group of people. You serve the Lord together with them. You study the Bible with them. You pray for each other. When there is a crisis, you are there for each other. God is able to work through others to meet your needs and to accomplish His powerful purposes in your life!

“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.” (Hebrews 10:23–25, NASB95)

Listen, God cares for you in every situation. You are His child!

“Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:6-7, NASB95)

Paul knew that God was in charge of his situation and that the body of Christ cared for him. How can we learn to be content? First, we must learn to connect with other believers. Second, we must learn to…

2. LIVE ABOVE OUR CIRCUMSTANCES (11-12)

Paul makes it abundantly clear here that contentment has nothing to do with circumstances. When he first arrived in Philippi, he led Lydia and her family to faith in Jesus. This family had money and they invited Paul and his friends to live with them. I am sure that Lydia and her family took great care of Paul and his companions.

Not too long after they arrived, Paul and Silas were beaten and thrown into prison for preaching the gospel. They went from the penthouse to the outhouse, so to speak. It is important to note that Paul learned to be content in both situations!

He had learned to be content in difficult circumstances. Let's be honest. It is hard to be content in these times. We look around and see others who seem to be doing better than we are and we feel “cheated.” It is hard to feel content and confident when…

 others make fun of you  the medical test results are not encouraging  someone gets promoted to the position you felt that you deserved  a loved one dies  your spouse tells you he/she is walking away  a financial investment craters

So he learned the secret of contentment in bad times and in times of plenty. This is hard for us because we tend to forget about God when things are going great in our lives. Paul’s point is a good one for us. We need to learn the secret of contentment when our lives are going great.

Let’s hit the pause button for a moment. I want to ask you a question. What would it take for you to be content?

 You get that advancement in your career?  You enter into a serious relationship?  You purchase the house of your dreams?  You get accepted by a prestigious university?  You build a comfortable nest egg for a worry-free retirement?

An airline pilot was flying over a Tennessee lake and pointed out to his copilot— “See that little lake? When I was a kid I used to sit in a rowboat down there, fishing. Every time a plane would fly overhead, I’d look up and wish I was flying it. Now I look down and wish I was in a rowboat, fishing.”

Two teardrops were floating down the river of life. One teardrop said to the other, “Who are you?”

The other one answered, “I’m a teardrop from a girl who loved a man and lost him. Who are you?”

To which the first one responded, “I’m a teardrop from the girl who got him.”

Listen, if you are a believer, God will not allow you to find satisfaction when you get what you want! He wants you to find your ultimate satisfaction and contentment in HIM.

Paul’s whole life was built around his personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. Just look at how he reinforced that importance in this letter.

“For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” (Philippians 1:21, NASB95)

“But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ….” (Philippians 3:7-8, NASB95)

“For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself.” (Philippians 3:20-21, NASB95)

Paul understood who he was in Christ Jesus and he knew that his circumstances could not alter who he was! Do you understand that? Does your entire life revolve around a vibrant, growing relationship with Jesus Christ? Until you are satisfied with the Lord, you will never be satisfied with your circumstances.

First, we must learn to connect with other believers. Second, we must learn to live above our circumstances. Finally, we must learn to…

3. DEPEND ON CHRIST’S POWER (13)

This is an abused verse that is often lifted right out of its context so it can be pretext for anything we want. For instance, Evander Holyfield had this verse embroidered on his robe when he fought Mike Tyson. He won! He had the same robe on with the same verse when he fought Lennox Lewis. He lost!

The purpose of this verse is not to promise you that you can pass a test, that you can score a touchdown, that you can win a woman’s heart, that you can be successful in business, or that you can be rich. The purpose of this verse is to remind us that the Lord Jesus Christ has the power to satisfy our needs in every circumstance we face.

If He allows you to have wealth, then remember that you are a steward and use what He has provided to push the kingdom of God forward and to glorify Christ.

If He allows you to face a really tough situation, then rejoice in the Lord and trust Him to provide everything you need.

In the most adverse circumstances imaginable, we must remember that we are linked to the life and power of the glorious, risen Lord. You have a power source that will never be depleted and will never be insufficient!

Just look at this verse as it breaks down into its natural parts.

“All things”—In the Greek, this appears first in the sentence. This places the phrase in an emphatic position. Every situation and circumstance of your life is covered by this phrase.

“I can do”—The verb here means to be strong, to have strength. When Paul had received a thorn in the flesh, God refused to remove it but reminded him that God’s own grace and power was sufficient for Paul’s every need.

“Through Him”—Obviously, this refers to the Lord Jesus Christ. Our ongoing relationship with Christ is so incredibly vital to our lives as we face the disappointments and ups and downs of life.

“Who strengthens me”—This means to infuse with divine strength daily. Again, let me point out the significance of personal, vibrant relationship with Jesus.

If you are living for yourself and are focused on your own pleasure and desires, when you come to the end of your rope you will seek God not for contentment but for Him to change your circumstances. When your circumstances are not changed, you will feel cheated and betrayed by God. Then, your life will spiral out of control.

CONCLUSION

What are you facing today? Some of you are battling difficult circumstances of your own right now. Here’s what we have to remember.

JESUS SATISFIES EVERY NEED WE HAVE!

You must learn to be content in knowing that Jesus will provide everything you need for every circumstance you encounter.

Remember now, we learn to be content when…

1. WE CONNECT WITH OTHER BELIEVERS

2. WE LIVE ABOVE OUR CIRCUMSTANCES

3. WE DEPEND ON CHRIST’S POWER

God is in charge. Don’t fold up and quit. Don’t become embittered toward God. Learn to be content in your circumstances until God chooses to change them!