Learn to be Content
Thank you so much for joining me today. May you find this teaching helpful in your walk with the Lord.
The Bible has quite a lot to say about being content. According to Kingdom Dynamics in the New Spirit Filled Life Bible, “Contentment does not come from how much money we have but from freedom that results from understanding we are living in God’s provision.”
In speaking of physical needs, Paul wrote in Philippians 4:11-13, “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.” Focusing on verse 11, we see that Paul spoke, “I have learned to be content.” ‘Learned’ in the Greek is manthano, which means: to learn by use and practice; to be in the habit of, or accustomed to. ‘Content’ means: the satisfaction of material needs, not the reason nor measure of joy. It means contented with one’s lot or with one’s means. If we are content, we are satisfied with enough. What we have is sufficient. We possess enough to not need aid or support. Contentment is independent of external circumstances.
Being content doesn’t come naturally, however, we can and need to ‘learn’ to be content. If we learn to be content by use and practice, then, it comes down to our making a choice to be satisfied. That would mean not being enticed to buy a new car because the neighbor got one, or spending money on all updated devices, or TVs, or appliances, or new wardrobes when the closets are full.
Then we see in verse 13, “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” that Paul could be content because he allowed Christ’s power to sustain him in times of difficulty and scarcity as well as during times of abundance.
Let’s look at what Paul spoke of in Philippians 3:10-14, “that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead. 12 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Paul expresses that he desires to have a greater knowledge of Christ Jesus. He acknowledges that he has not attained it yet. However, take note of Paul’s attitude and mindset regarding the things of God. In verse 10, the word “know” (ginosko) means to understand completely. In verse 12 where Paul uses the phrase, “follow after” (dioko), that means to run swiftly in order to catch some person or thing, or figuratively, one who in a race runs swiftly to reach the goal. He adds “that I may apprehend” - this phrase means: to lay hold of so as to make one’s own. “I am apprehended”, speaking of Christ, meaning: by His holy power and influence laying hold of the human mind and will, in order to prompt and govern it. (This is where I would love to live!) Then, in verse 13, he states, “forgetting” those things behind - forgetting means no longer caring for. That means we are not swayed or controlled by the past. Finally, in verse 14, Paul says, “I press on to the mark” ‘Press’ means to pursue. “Mark” is the goal or end one has in view. Paul has definitely set a standard here for us regarding the things of God and our relationship with Him. Let’s set our minds by our attitudes and action to understand Him, the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings. We cannot continue living out our time here on earth and our relationship with Him in such a lackadaisical manner. We need a new mindset - to run swiftly , apprehend, forget the past, and press on or pursue God and the things of God.
Last week in our 2/15, “Now Is The Time!” post concerning eternity, we shared that we must make our preparation for eternity a priority over this earthly life. To be successful in setting proper priorities we must also learn to be content with what things we have, when we have enough. Sadly, in developed nations and societies, we have allowed the formation of the idea that having more material possessions is a sign of success and a must for one to be satisfied and happy. We see that from the need to supersize our fast food meals and to be drawn into the ‘necessity’ of owning the products advertisers so enticingly present to us!
Paul also shared what he had come to learn concerning earthly titles and goods when compared to his life in Christ. When speaking about himself in Philippians 3:5-8 he stated, “circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless. 7 But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ.” Please hear me though, having earthly goods, an education, or titles are not inherently evil, however giving those things more importance or making them a priority above our life with Christ is idolatry.
Matthew 6:19-21 and verses 25-33 reveals, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. ... 25 "Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? 28 And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, 29 yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”
Paul learned that contentment comes from putting God and His Kingdom first. Then, Paul was able to rest in God’s care and provision. Philippians 4:19, “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” He meets our needs.
2 Corinthians 9:8, “And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.”
Hebrews 13:5 and 6, “Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." 6 So we can confidently say, "The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?"
He is our helper.
Paul warned Timothy about the love of money and what it could buy. 1 Timothy 6:6-10, “But godliness with contentment is great gain, 7 for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. 8 But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. 9 But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.”
Money provides prestige and power among men, in the world’s eyes, however, we are told in Luke 12:33 and Luke 18:22 that giving our money away will cause us to have treasure in heaven.
1 Timothy 6:17 -19, “As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. 18 They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, 19 thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.” The rich are to set their hopes on God, not in their riches. They will lay up treasures for themselves by doing good works, being generous and sharing.
To love and gain the things of this world will never cause contentment. All too often, when we hear of the wealthy, we hear of discontentment and frequently only a desire for having more. All they have is temporary, fleeting, and provides no eternal gain.
All earthly treasures will pass away. Our heavenly treasures are eternal. 1 John 21:17 reveals that the world and the lust of it, is passing away. True contentment will not come from placing our focus and trust in temporal things. True contentment comes through the indwelling power of Christ in us!
Knowing that our heavenly treasures are eternal, brings contentment.
Knowing He will meet all of our need according to His riches in glory, brings us contentment.
When our eyes are on God and God alone, we have contentment.
When our greatest desire is for Him, we will experience great contentment, because we will have learned that He is always faithful and trustworthy.
I will conclude my post today by encouraging you to pray this prayer for spiritual strength for yourself and others:
Ephesains 3:14-20, “For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, 16 that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith--that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. 20 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us”