BE: Be Content.
Philippians 4:11-13 NLT “Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little.
For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.”
I can do ALL things through Christ!
This scripture is not about you at the gym pumping iron and exceeding your lift weight. This scripture is not about being the champion in some type of sport. This scripture is not about passing your final exam or getting the ultimate promotion on your job.
Paul is talking about being content. Being happy, being satisfied, being comfortable in whatever state you are in.
Paul was saying that if I have nothing, I am content! If I have everything, I am content.
He decided to not let what he had or did not have dictate his mood or his actions. The only way that he could do that was through Christ who gave him strength!
Guzik comments, “Many people take this verse out of context and use it to reinforce a “triumphalist” or “super-Christian” mentality, instead of seeing that the strength of Jesus in Paul’s life was evident in his ability to be content when he did suffer need.”
Look what Paul said to Timothy….
1 Timothy 6:6-8 KJV, “But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.”
Barclay writes, “The Greek word here used for contentment is defined as ‘complete self-sufficiency.’ Meaning a frame of mind which was completely independent of all outward things, and which carried the secret of happiness within itself. Contentment never comes from the possession of external things.”
Clark added, “Real contentment isn’t too difficult for those whose real home is heaven. It requires but little of this world’s goods to satisfy a man who feels himself to be a citizen of another country, and knows that this is not his rest.”
Now we understand we will have material possessions. Paul said there were times when he had much of them. The key to contentment is learning that no matter if one is in the season of much or the season of little, we can remain completely satisfied and happy. Because…I can do all things through Christ!
Philippians 4:4 NLT, “Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice!”
Spurgeon says, “What a gracious God we serve, who makes delight to be a duty, and who commands us to rejoice! Should we not at once be obedient to such a command as this? It is intended that we should be happy.”
Philippians 4:5-9 NLT, “Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon. Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.
Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.
Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.”
Living in peace is God’s will for every one of our lives. One of the greatest ways to obtain this peace is to BE CONTENT in any state of life we are in.
When we find ourselves in a season of little, be content. When we find ourselves in a season of much, be content.
No matter what life throws at us, we can have peace and walk in contentment because He is with us! And through Him, we can do all things.
Take a moment to breathe and reflect today. God is good and with Him on our sides, we can have peace. Be content today.
