Philippians 4:10-14 (The Message Bible)
10 -14 I'm glad in God, far happier than you would ever guess—happy that you're again showing such strong concern for me. Not that you ever quit praying and thinking about me. You just had no chance to show it. Actually, I don't have a sense of needing anything personally. I've learned by now to be quite content whatever my circumstances. I'm just as happy with little as with much, with much as with little. I've found the recipe for being happy whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty. Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am. I don't mean that your help didn't mean a lot to me—it did. It was a beautiful thing that you came alongside me in my troubles.
Paul writes to the Philippians about contentment. He starts out by thanking them for all they have done. Then he goes on to say he appreciates what they did, but that he has also learned to be happy with what he has. Even imprisoned Paul is able to deal with it and remain content about his situation. Paul points out that Christ is the one who makes him what he is and because of Christ he can patiently wait and be content in any situation.
Webster’s says contentment is the state of feeling or showing satisfaction with one’s possessions, status, or situation. Socrates said that contentment is natural wealth whereas luxury is artificial poverty. If you are able to be content then you can experience happiness in circumstance others might dread. And while some people have all the luxuries of life they sometimes find no contentment, but a desire to have more. Through Christ Paul was able to find contentment in his circumstances. Then when something special came his way he was able to see the beauty in what another did for him. Many people today are in debt beyond their means because they lack contentment. The problems seen in the housing and mortgage business today are because people wanted more than they could afford. Pray the Lord will provide contentment in your life. Pray you will find joy in those things you have without the need to have more.
