Paul's Keys to Contentment {Philipppians 4}
12:00 AM
Just how content are you? Do you find yourself mostly critical and complaining, or thankful for all you have? Do you find your contentment varies depending on your circumstances, or is your contentment unwavering no matter what circumstances you find yourself in?
I’ll confess, I tend to allow my circumstances to dictate my contentment levels at any particular moment; which is why once I learned the conditions in which Paul was in when he penned this letter, I paid closer attention to his words.
You see, the Book of Philippians is primarily a thank you letter to the church at Philippi for past gifts Paul had received from them, but it’s where he is writing from that truly caught my attention. Paul had been falsely accused and imprisoned; chained to an Imperial Guard 24/7 when he exhorts his readers to, “Rejoice in the Lord always!” (4:4). He goes on later in the chapter to admit, “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.” Would you like to know Paul’s secret? Let’s see if we can find his keys to contentment hidden in this chapter.
Our first clue comes from the word itself! Contentment means being satisfied with what God has given you. It comes from an old English word containment, which refers to somebody who is self-contained. This means, his happiness doesn’t depend on his outward circumstances; Paul has learned to look to his inner resources to find contentment. For Christians, that inner resource is our relationship with Jesus Christ. Contentment is also our basis for our happiness in life; therefore just how can we find happiness in any and all situation, even- prison?You see, the Book of Philippians is primarily a thank you letter to the church at Philippi for past gifts Paul had received from them, but it’s where he is writing from that truly caught my attention. Paul had been falsely accused and imprisoned; chained to an Imperial Guard 24/7 when he exhorts his readers to, “Rejoice in the Lord always!” (4:4). He goes on later in the chapter to admit, “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.” Would you like to know Paul’s secret? Let’s see if we can find his keys to contentment hidden in this chapter.
The first key to contentment Paul mentioned previously in Philippians 3:7–8, “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.” In other words we need the proper value system. Which means, we must start to value what God values. Often times our problem with discontentment is we tend to place a high value and pursue things that are temporal rather than that which is eternal. Think about the things you are currently striving for right now. Are they temporary or are they eternal? Are they things you’ll have to leave behind, or are you investing in our eternal future? Paul got it right? He put no value in all he had attained in his life, his only concern was what God valued.
Jesus told us that what God values most is that we love Him with all of our heart and love others as yourself.
The second key: trust in God’s sovereign plan for your life and stop worrying, “ Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (4:6-7)
Psalms reminds us that every part of our physical being was planned before we drew our first breath. (Ps 139) And not only that, all of our days were written in God’s Book of Life before we lived the first one. (Jer 1:4-5) He has our life all planned out. (Eph 2:10) God has a unique plan for every part of your life and we know He can be trusted. We will find contentment when we begin to trust that God has a plan for us and He will accomplish His plan for your life.
The third key: choose to accentuate the positives. We need to focus on, “whatever is true, whatever is honorable and worthy of respect, whatever is right and confirmed by God’s word, whatever is pure and wholesome, whatever is lovely and brings peace, whatever is admirable and of good repute; if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think continually on these things [center your mind on them, and implant them in your heart]. 9 The things which you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things [in daily life], and the God [who is the source] of peace and well-being will be with you.” Phil 4:8-9 When we’re wringing our hands and dwelling on negative things, we’ve got to know those thoughts are not of God. Rebuke those thoughts and strive to be filled with His peace once more.
The fourth key: Be grateful and keep giving thanks! “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentle spirit [your graciousness, unselfishness, mercy, tolerance, and patience] be known to all people. The Lord is near.” (Phil 4:8-9) Learn to be grateful for what God has given you. Did you know that it’s impossible to be grateful and discontent at the same time?
All of this is not only achievable, but easy when we remember the definition of contentment and turn our focus away from the circumstances around us to the source within us!
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