Thankful Living is being Content

Philippians 4:10–20 ESV

10 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. 11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me. 14 Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble. 15 And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. 16 Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again. 17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit. 18 I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. 19 And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 20 To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.

Big Picture:

Paul’s contentment was not in monetary things even though he was thankful for the gift and the giver. Paul’s contentment in every situation comes through not seeking the gift but seeking the fruit that result from the gifts that God brings.

The Principle Bridge:

Be satisfied with where God has you and what He has entrusted to you to steward for His kingdom and His glory. This will keep you ready and available to be used by God.

Have you learned the secret of deep peace based on detachment from outward circumstances.

Paul is extremely grateful for the believers concern for him and their desire to make sure he is provided for.

Not that he felt he was lacking in anything, however, for Paul it spoke volumes about the believers in Philippi. Paul had a great affection for this church. We read at the beginning of the letter “I thank God in all my remembrance of you all.”

So, What is Contentment?

1. Contentment is not Complacency

As soon as the news of Paul’s imprisonment had become known in Philippi the desire had sprung up ‘to do something’ to help him. But at first no favorable opportunity had presented itself.

It may have been that no messenger had been immediately available, or that for some reason or other it had been impossible to collect the gift from the various members.

Paul had come to expect this kind of support from this generous church. When other churches failed to give (v. 15), this church had ‘sent aid once and again’ (v. 16).

All of this was reason for Paul to engage in exuberant rejoicing. The Philippians had generously given, but Paul ‘rejoiced in the Lord greatly’ (v. 10), knowing that the Lord had worked in them (2:13).

While Paul certainly admitted that he had benefited from their gift, he wanted his readers to know that there were other benefits as well:

Content, is found only in this verse in the New Testament. As a moral term it plays an important part in the stoic outlook upon life.

Socrates, for instance, is held up by Diogenes Laertius in the third century AD as an example of a ‘self-sufficient’ man who faced, with equanimity and resolution, all that life brought to him.

Paul’s use of the word is not sufficiency in himself but, it is Christ who is the ultimate secret of His contentment.

Both Anxiety and Greed rise in the Heart of Humanity

More than ever before people are anxious about their current economic situation and desire to hold on to what is theirs for fear of loosing it all.

While this is certainly a motivation to not be content, I think the following text hinges on the words:

“In whatever Situation”

There may be a misunderstanding when it comes to what Paul means by learning to be content in all situations or circumstances.

Does Paul mean that you should not try to improve your current situation, find a better job, earn more money, or further your education? Are we supposed to passively sit back and watch life go by? What about our call to be “salt and light of the earth”?

So How can we become content without sitting back and becoming Lazy?

When not to be Content

Let’s look in scripture at who was satisfied with what, when they should not have been.

Look at Jesus parable of the Talents in Matthew 25:14-30 Jesus tells us:

For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away.

Notice there are no instructions about what the servants are to do with the money the master has given them.

The servant who received one talent was content with what he had been given. But should he have been? He saw no reason to put that resource to work, despite the intent of his master. When the master returned, he rebuked the servant with the one talent.

We don’t want to end up like the servant who was content with his one talent. Instead, we need to be persistent and faithful even in the smallest things, because what we do now matters not just for today but also for eternity.

*Contentment is Living with Eternity in Focus

When we live with an eternal focus in view we make decisions differently, we see life from a different perspective.

Instead of just going into work and putting in our time everyday we live life with an eternal focus knowing that we are glorifying God.

When we do our utmost to create value and improve the creation by using the resources that God has given us, we are like the two-talent and five-talent servants who invested the money their master had given them. You have something to offer the world, and through your gifts and talents you can create something better than what you were born into.

Matthew 6:19–21 ESV

19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Their Gift abounded to their Account: Everything that Christians do for the kingdom of God is an investment which pays rich dividends for the Kingdom of God. (for example the building you are sitting in this morning) verse 17, not that I seek the gift, I seek the fruit.

Their Gift brought Pleasure to God: Looked upon them as a fragrant offering. verse 19.

You have an Eternal Legacy to Leave

Look what Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 10:31

1 Corinthians 10:31 ESV

31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

Your whole goal in Life should be to live out the gifts and abilities which, God has given you for His Glory, Honor, and Praise.

No one would have accused Paul of being lazy, Paul would have worked any one of us under the table.

Paul’s contentment was in using the gifts that God had given him in whatever situation might come his way for the glory of God.

2. Contentment is not Circumstantial

While Paul was grateful for the gift of the Philippians, he did not want them to think that he was one who went about with his hand out. Paul was thankful for the gift, but he was supremely thankful that the Lord had taught him to be content in every circumstance

It is all about the one you are being content in, which is Jesus Christ.

From the beginning God has placed eternity on man’s heart. He created us to long for a perfect world, and existence, to desire the supremely ideal existence before the world was riddled with sin and death.

As redeemed creatures, we desperately want to be done with sin and it’s effect on our lives. We strive daily to mortify our sinful nature and inclination towards sin.

The day is coming when our struggle with sin will be swallowed up in victory once and for all, we will finally see Jesus face to face and know complete contentment in his Grace and mercy.

True contentment is not circumstantial it is built on the one who holds our future in the palm of His hand.

Here is the great promise that Jesus gives us in Hebrews 13:5

Hebrews 13:5 ESV

5 Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

It is not based on what happens to us, but on the one who has taken hold of us and radically changed our future.

*Contentment is Storing up Treasures for the Kingdom of God.

If our contentment were based on what we have, we would always desire more.

When it is solely based on Christ we will constantly desire to know Him more.

What was the key of Paul’s contentment, He expresses it in verse 13 “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”

*The Rare Jewel of Contentment has nothing to do with our Circumstances.

Paul stressed in this text that his contentment did not increase or decrease depending on material provision.

More stuff won’t bring a Christian deeper satisfaction, and neither will less stuff. Yet many in our day often think they need a change of circumstances in order to experience more joy.

What do you think you need in order to be content?

Do you need more stuff? Do you need a bigger house that makes it on HGTV? Do you need a car with a pool in it? Do you need a different place to live? Or do you think a mud hut in Africa would make you more content? Paul is teaching us the hard, sobering truth that the rare jewel of Christian contentment has nothing to do with our circumstances. It’s found in Christ. We need Him.

*Contentment is Learned

Note: Twice Paul says that contentment is learned.

Contentment was not just miraculously zapped into Paul’s heart. It was through the experiences of his life that he learned what contentment really was.

Paul had been hosted by the wealthy Lydia in Philippi. Surely he had some amazing dinners with the wealthy. But, he was no more content with those times than he was sitting in a prison cell singing with Silas. Some might argue that it is harder to be content in abundance than in need.

Paul Also knew deep Hardships

1 Corinthians 4:11–12 ESV

11 To the present hour we hunger and thirst, we are poorly dressed and buffeted and homeless, 12 and we labor, working with our own hands. When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure;

2 Corinthians 6:4–5 ESV

4 but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: by great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, 5 beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger;

2 Corinthians 11:25–27 ESV

25 Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea; 26 on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers; 27 in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure.

Going to School

Paul learned contentment in the school of Jesus. He learned what mattered most. We might pray that some crisis might break us free from our love affair with the world. However, it is not simply one crisis, it is a life lived out in times of need and times of plenty.

It is us going through the school of need and the school of plenty, both, offer invaluable lessons along the way.

1). The School of Prosperity

In this school we encounter the test of Greed. Will having possessions well up in us an insatiable desire for more?

Solomon wrote, “The one who loves money is never satisfied with money, and whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with income. This is futile as Solomon say’s, it is a chasing after the wind.

Ecclesiastes 5:10 ESV

10 He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity.

Timothy say’s those who are rich have other temptations.

But those who want to be rich fall into temptation, a trap, and many foolish and harmful desires, which plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, and by craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pains. (1 Tim 6:9–10)

Instruct those who are rich in the present age not to be arrogant or to set their hope on the uncertainty of wealth, but on God, who richly provides us with all things to enjoy. Instruct them to do what is good, to be rich in good works, to be generous, willing to share, storing up for themselves a good reserve for the age to come, so that they may take hold of life that is real. (1 Tim 6:17–19)

2). The School of Poverty

The poor are not immune to greed. Greed may tempt the poor to sin in order to get rich. (through lying, stealing, relying on others instead of working, or manipulating).

They may grow envious of their neighbor, even if their neighbor is also poor. The person with a mud hut could easily grow envious of the person who has a metal roof. If you visit orphanages, you will see greed and envy at work, as kids want the trinkets of their peers, despite the fact that all the kids are in poverty.

Greed isn’t removed when one becomes rich or poor. It’s a heart issue. The poor also have the temptation of losing contentment in Christ if they should ever become wealthy.

Proverbs 30:7–9 ESV

7 Two things I ask of you; deny them not to me before I die: 8 Remove far from me falsehood and lying; give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is needful for me, 9 lest I be full and deny you and say, “Who is the Lord?” or lest I be poor and steal and profane the name of my God.

Contentment flows from Union with and a Reliance on Christ! (verse 13)

Many athletes love to quote this verse for inspiration to achieve their dreams. Often they are well intentioned, but they are uninformed. I don’t question their motive, just their exegesis. I cannot dunk a basketball. And it doesn’t matter how often I quote Philippians 4:13, this fact will not change! The only time I can dunk is when someone lowers the goal to about seven feet. It’s not a problem with my unbelief; it’s a problem with my height and ability!

The phrase “all things” must be governed by the context. The context is about contentment and material possessions. .

This is the secret: Christ is enough. Christ empowers us to be content.

“Paul learned the secret because he learned to give attention to the Savior” (“A Rare Jewel”). Paul isn’t preoccupied with his situation; he’s preoccupied with Jesus. This is the secret. When you focus on Jesus, you can be content.

Are you Preoccupied with your Circumstance or your Savior?

Has your lack of contentment made you less flexible to live on mission?

How can people leave it all for the sake of Jesus, here is the secret, they are preoccupied with Jesus.

You won’t get any more sweet tea! If you move to another country, in an impoverished place, you might have to drink instant coffee!

That’s a real test of contentment! More seriously, overseas living will require you to learn another language, adopt new customs, and reorient your whole way of life. Can you do this? You can’t if you aren’t content in Christ. Those who are content in Christ have learned to say with Paul, “But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with these” (1 Tim 6:8).

The question is, do you need Jesus plus something else, or is He enough for you. The writer of Hebrews says,

Hebrews 13:5 ESV

5 Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

1 Timothy 6:6–8 ESV

6 But godliness with contentment is great gain, 7 for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. 8 But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.

3. Contentment is Understanding the Spiritual and Eternal Importance of Giving

Note: Paul says that he does not seek the gift but the fruit that come out of the gift.

Paul is not pressing the point of giving because he somehow wants to get rich.

Why is Paul so happy, why does he have so much joy. He is almost beside himself because of the prospect of the the great fruit that will come out of the churches generosity.

Why then is the subject of biblical giving such a taboo subject for pastors today?

Every pastor should feel free to talk about money because every pastor should care about the fruitfulness of God’s people. As pastors, we have a responsibility to see that people grow spiritually and invest eternally. We should want to see growth and faithfulness in every area of their lives, including financial stewardship.

What this does not mean

This does not mean that we should know everyone’s salary or bank balance.

This does not mean we should manipulate or guilt people into generosity.

What this does mean

Did you know that there are over 2,000 verses about money, giving, generosity, and stewardship.

*Giving is to be a priority

So the Bible tells us that giving is to be a first fruit. That we are to give our first and our best. Practically speaking what this means for us is that we’re to take a portion of our gross income and give that away. It is the very first thing we should do, it shows our trust and faith in God to provide. I believe it is the greatest mark of spiritual maturity.

Show me someone who is truly growing in Christ and I will show you someone who is generous with what they have been given.

*Giving is to be done Proportionally

We should give according to what God has blessed us with. To those God has given more we should steward more, and those whom God has given less, should steward less.

*Giving is to be Sacrificial

Principle number three is that giving is to be done sacrificially. I know that this is gonna sound a little weird, but giving isn’t always going to feel good. There’s going to be sometimes a struggle and some pain associated with giving.

I mean, you look at 2 Samuel 24:24 when David is offered everything that he needs to make a sacrifice and how did he respond? He said, “No, I will not offer God something that has not cost me anything.” And so we see this idea of sacrificial giving.

*Giving is to be done Cheerfully

Then finally we find that giving is to be done cheerfully. We know that God loves a cheerful giver.

And just so you know, God doesn’t just tell us how to do this. He actually leads us in this. Think about it for a second.

Giving is to be a priority. How does God lead us in this? Well, Jesus. He gave us His first and His best, His one and His only.

Giving is to be done proportionally. How God does lead us in this? Well God is the Creator of everything. He owns it all so He gave us the gift that simply could not be matched. He gave us Jesus.

Giving is to be done sacrificially. How does He lead us in this? Well, maybe that’s a little bit more self-explanatory. It’s Jesus.

And then finally, giving is to be done cheerfully. Where do we find that? We actually find it in Isaiah 53:10 where we see God finding pleasure in the crushing of His only Son. Now how does He find pleasure in the crushing of His Son? Well, He’s looking through the lens of eternity and He’s seeing the ultimate outcome.

Alistair Begg notes that while it’s not a bad idea to have an IRA (Individual Retirement Account), every believer should have an IEA (Individual Eternal Account); that is, we should be laying up treasures in heaven.

Regarding one’s IEA, he asks, “What’s in it?” and “When did you make your last contribution?” “Everyone Needs One”.

The safest and surest investment is to steward your resources faithfully for the good of the kingdom. Paul is thrilled because the Philippians are contributing to this eternal account, showing that their treasure isn’t here on earth, demonstrating that they are citizens of heaven.

“A Fragrant Offering, an acceptable pleasing Sacrifice to God”

Romans 12:1–2 ESV

1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Paul talks about offering our Lives to God as a Living Sacrifice.

What Scents Attract you?

I’m attracted to smell of the smoke of a grill, fresh roasted coffee being pressed out, the sweet scent of my bride when she walks in the room.

Sacrificial obedience is a sweet, pleasing, fragrant aroma to God.

This is why you should give faithfully because you want to please God. Because you want to worship God. We get to give!

Warning: Our giving cannot score points with God. Our giving does not pay the penalty for our sins.

Every week when we give our offerings, we should say, “This is only by Your grace, Lord. Receive this as a joyful offering of worship to the One who made me His own!”

TRUST IN GODS PROVISION

verses 19-20

The Philippians “supplied” Paul’s needs sufficiently, and now Paul assures them that God will supply all their needs out of His infinite resources. Paul doesn’t promise the church that God will provide for their greed, but for their need.

CONCLUSION

We have many fears when it comes to money. We need to fight fear with the promises of God. God loves His children. Believe this. He has taken hold of us; we’re His.

Treasure Jesus, and trust the Father. He’s good to His kids. We should go to Scripture and remind ourselves of His promises.

We should fix our eyes on the cross in moments of doubt and anxiety, remembering that God has already solved our greatest problem. He gave His own Son for us; He can provide daily bread for us

Philippians 4:6–7 ESV

6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.