Being content in this world has many challenges. While contentment can be elusive, we can learn to be content in whatever situation we face. The Bible teaches us to address this issue not by changing the circumstances, but by changing our viewpoint.
Paul demonstrates the proper Christian response to living with God’s provision with a good attitude. In this post, I will give a few thoughts on the subject of Christian contentment.
Whatever Circumstance
On the subject of contentment, Paul writes in Philippians 4:10-13,
10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned before, but you lacked opportunity. 11 Not that I speak from want; for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. 12 I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. 13 I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.
The Philippian church had previously met Paul’s financial need and had just sent him another gift through Epaphroditus. This gave Paul the opportunity to speak about his needs and what he had learned about contentment. Paul had experienced the broad spectrum -from having nothing, to prosperity; and addresses the godly response here.
We might think that we just need to learn how to do without. However, there are also things we need to learn when living in prosperous times.
We’ll start with some of the problems we face whether we have not too much or a lot.
Humble Means
When we don’t have much materially, we could let our desire for more get away from us. We may want the better house, better car, or better paying job and be distracted from being content in our current situation.
Jealousy and envy can also be involved when we look at other people. We might be covetous of those around us, wanting what they have.
We might think God is withholding good from us for some reason. Instead we need patience and hope in God, while we maintain our right relationship with Him.
Pride can swell up when we don’t have much, thinking we are more holy because of our lack. Austerity is not the path to holiness, rather it is our faith.
Living in Prosperity
Have you wondered why Paul said he had to learn how to prosper? Shouldn’t that be no problem? There are several issues we have to deal with when having plenty.
When we are prosperous, we can depend on ourselves instead of trusting God’s provision. God is the one that allows us to prosper.
Even if we have plenty, we might still be discontent because of the desire for more or better things or conditions.
When looking at those around us we can be smug and conceited because of what all of our hard work has done for us. We might be secure in ourselves and become worldly minded instead of humble and thankful to God.
We might falsely believe that God is pleased with us because of our prosperity. We can conclude that we must be holy because of God’s obvious blessing. But God sends the sun and rain on the unrighteous too, giving blessing where it is not deserved. (Matt 5:45)1
Note: I write more about living in prosperity in my post, Content with Money.
Learning the Secret
Now to address the secret that Paul learned.
The Greek word used in verse 12 for ‘secret’ was commonly used at that time for the special information that only the initiated would receive. The secret was reserved for those on the inner circle of an exclusive group.
It seems that Paul uses the word to say that through various circumstances he was initiated and learned the lessons. He had learned how to be content and was now a part of a select group. Those in the world do not know this kind of contentment.
Do All Things
In the last verse in this passage, Paul proclaims to Whom he owes thanks for having learned the lessons: “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.”
In the context of this passage, our well being is dependent on the strength of God to live with the circumstances we face. We need that strength whether we have little or have a lot.
Contentment is experienced when we depend on God, by faith, for our provision and trust Him. He gives us strength to endure in hard times, as well as grace to share in times of abundance. Through His strength, we can rest in Him.
Rightly applied, our adverse situation can drive us to God in dependence upon Him.
Prosperity rightly applied by us drives us to gratitude for God’s blessing in our lives. In either case we choose to rely upon God in thankfulness.
Proof of Holiness
Neither our poverty nor our prosperity is proof of our holiness. There are no places in the Bible where someone is shown to be more holy because of their poverty. Likewise, being prosperous is never given as a demonstration of holiness.
It is true that trusting in and following God results in His blessing, but holiness is a matter of faith, not our material possessions. (I write about this issue in Money Myths from the Bible.)
Conclusion
As we look to God, we can grow in our ability to be content. Whether in financial adversity or prosperity, we can learn the proper Godly responses when we trust Him.
1 Jesus says in Matthew 5:45 that God, “causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.”