Philippians 4:10-23
Paul hits a tough issue here in Philippians 4:10-23--contentment. Paul is telling the Philippians how thankful he is for their help and support but he also wants them to know that having things (money, comfort, good food, etc.) isn't important when it comes to living for Christ. Now notice (verse 11) Paul doesn't just say that he was content; he says that he "learned" to be content in whatever his circumstances were. So that tells me that being content is a process, a discipline for us.
So let's talk about "learning to be content." How do we accomplish this? What's your experience been in this area? What's happened to your contentment level as your relationship with the Lord has grown? Tami W.
It is very difficult living in a worldly minded family, with no thoughts of what God wants for us. But through Christ Jesus I will be content and be in the world but not of the world. Help me Lord not to be selfish or want what I don't need.
I was talking to someone the other day about this issue - of contentment. Some Christian people I know who seem to have a lot of things in this life ie. nice home, nice job, nice cars, nice family, etc. - are very unhappy with their lives. And yet again, I've met folks living in utter poverty who've lost almost everything they've had, yet they're perfectly happy and content. As you said Tami, contentment is learned, I guess the folks living in poverty have learned while the folks who seem to have it all in God's eyes are empty of contentment.Too many things between our souls and God seem to hinder His work in us!
Learning to be content starts with having the right focus. We often act as if being busy means contentment but it does not. Paul tells us not to have cofidence in the flesh, it is not what we have physically that leads to contentment. It is our approach. David says, "the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom'Psalm 111:10 and Christ himself says, "but seek first his kingdom .." Matthew 6:33. Paul himself encourages us to "put no confidence in the flesh" Phillipians 3:2. The formula for contentment is therefore to put Christ first in our lives. It is extremely difficult sometimes to focus on things spiritual when you have physical problems. But "every word of the Lord is flawless" Proverbs30:5 and this provides the comfort and encouragement for us to fight on. It is so in my life as I learn to be content now with less than previously, to be humble and accept what God has given me with thanksgiving but moreso to "..not be anxious,... but in everything by prayer and petition ..present your requests.." Phillipians 4:6
I have found that the more i look to Christ and grow in Him the less attached I am of the things of this world. Having the satisfaction and peace with God is more of a controling factor in my life than my emotions would lead me. i guess some might say that is "walking by the spirit". Whatever you wanna call it, being content is not about what is around you, it is who is around you.
Being thankful is a good way to promote being content. If I remember how God has blessed to me, it puts things into perspective of realizing where my blessing come from and how "well off" I am because of Him--no matter the circumstances.
Jesus chose His twelve disciples and taught them so that they could go out and teach the gospel to all. One betrayed Him but that was to be. Saul (Paul) who sought to persecute the Christians (thinking he was doing God a service) saw that great bright light on His way to Damascus. Jesus changed his life for ever on that day. God is showing us that no matter who we are, He loves us and He has opened the door for all of us to enter in. Thank You Lord Jesus.
Jesus, His disciples and Paul have tuaght us through the Word to be content with what we have. If we truly have the Lord in our lives then we are content knowing that we serve Him in Spirit and in Truth and only then will we be content. Contentment is knowing Jesus. Knowing what He has done for us sinners. Knowing how much He loves and cares for us. Knowing His graciousness, mercy, compassion and forgiveness, these things we do not deserve. Knowing He is always there for us. Knowing we have access to him every day. Knowing His goodness. My prayer is that He will continue to strengthen us so that we can share with others this contentment and joy to know Him and truly trust Him and continue to live in hope.
Learning to be content is an impossible goal; as long as we think we can do it on our own.
I feel that contentment is a byproduct of letting the spirit into you life and relying more and more on God in daily life. After all if we've put our trust in The Lord how can we not be content with our lives.
Learning to trust God like that is a natural part of the Christian walk. So, in the same way, contentment is a natural state of that same walk. As we grow in faith and learn to turn more and more of our dail;y lives over to God our contentment in our lives will grow.
I went thru some difficult times in my marriage where I just wanted out. Out of everything except my relationship with God, and my young son. But, I knew that wouldn't be right. I had to put my trust in God and believe that he had something better, and wait for it to come. God is my Rock! He is the lifter of my soul! God did bring amazing changes and so much peace into my life. And as far as financial struggles, the changes that have occurred over the years in my attitude toward spending amaze me. When I think back several years to how I thought I was being frugal it's funny, because I was still being very wasteful. It's a process, scaling down to spending on just the bare necessities. Materialism is very relative, based on your resources. One person's idea of being broke could be a fortune to someone else. As long as your hope is grounded in the Truth and the one true and living God, being content is possible no matter your circumstances. God will make a way, where there seems to be no way.
I like to keep things simple. I live a fairly simple lifestyle. I think that helps with the contentment issue. We don't need a lot of material things to be content. Our focus must be on Christ just as Paul said.
the closer i am walking with the Lord the more content i am...