Contentment

He meant, he could go into the ring against anyone, and because of that verse, he could give anyone a holy beat down, because it’s Christ’s strength pumping through his veins.

Joel Osteen in reference to that verse, once said, “Most people tend to magnify their limitations. They focus on their shortcomings. But scripture makes it plain: all things are possible to those who believe. That’s right! It is possible to see your dreams fulfilled. It is possible to overcome that obstacle. It is possible to climb to new heights. It is possible to embrace your destiny. You may not know how it will all take place. You may not have a plan, but all you have to know is that if God said you can…you can!”

So in other words, you want that promotion, you want that boat, you want that bigger home?

You just need to dream it, because it’s yours.

It’s yours because God said it’s yours.

Joyce Meyer once said she took this verse, and posted it throughout her house.

“Yesterday, I made signs proclaiming this thought, and posted them all kinds of places–in drawers, on my guitar case, on the front of the refrigerator. Then later, I played Scrabble with my husband and won. He said that it was because my signs were giving me power. … there is no doubt that there is power in holding onto the belief that I can do whatever I need to in life through Christ.”

When Paul wrote those words is this what he was talking about?

Was he saying that you can have that home, car and promotion because Christ’s strength is in you, you just need to claim it?

Was Paul saying that you don’t actually need to study the English language, but all you need to do is pray harder and you’ll win at Scrabble?

Is that really what Paul is talking about, Scrabble?

Is he really writing to the Philippians, while under house arrest, with a guard chained to his side, and giving them holy Scrabble tips?

Was Paul saying that you can go toe to toe with a heavyweight boxer, if only you believe?

The answer to all of these is no.

Context is important.

Context is when we look at a verse and we see the verses surrounding it to understand stand it.

is a fantastic verse, but it’s not all by itself.

It has verses before and after it that help us understand what it means.

There is a great promise in this verse, I can do all things, but it doesn’t mean what it’s been twisted into meaning.

The promise is that I can do all things, but the question is what are these things?

And this is what we will answer today.

There certainly is a promise here, so we aren’t ignoring it, but we need to define it.

So join me as we go on a journey, learning what it is that we can do.

Let’s read Philippians 4:10-13.

The first thing we see is we must Learn to Live with contentment.

Paul is in Rome, under house arrest, unable to work for himself.

He depends upon the kindness of others to provide.

He has received a very timely gift from the Philippian church.

They had sent a messenger to Paul in his hour of need.

They sent a man named Epaphroditus to Rome.

He came bringing money and gifts to lift Paul’s spirits while in prison.

Looking at verse 10, it seems that the Philippians were worried that maybe their gift came too late.

Maybe Paul missed a payment to the Roman guard for his salary.

Maybe Paul missed a payment for his apartment.

Maybe Paul missed a meal of two.

But Paul doesn’t say, but neither does he condemn them.

He doesn’t say anything bad about them or their gift.

In fact he is thankful.

He praised God for their help.

In verse 11 he says, “Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.”

Paul has learned a lesson, and he has learned the valuable lesson of contentment.

There are some lessons that can’t be learned by book or in a classroom.

How did you learn to ride a bike?

You didn’t go to the library and check out a book, Learning To Ride Bikes 101, then read it.

I went to wikihow.com this week, and read an article on how to ride a bike.

It gave me 8 simple steps of how to ride a bike.

I never knew it was so complicated.

Step 1: Begin on a flat surface.

Step 2: Adjust the bike seat.

Step 3: Test the brakes.

Step 4: Place one foot on the ground.

Step 5: Start gliding.

Step 6 Keep your eyes straight ahead.

Step 7: Start pedaling.

Step 8: Dismount from the bike.

Apparently those 8 steps are all you need to ride a bike.

I wish it was that simple to learn to ride a bike.

I remember trying.

I remember training wheels.

I remember falling.

I remember falling a lot.

And the best help came from my dad as he stood by me.

He knew the struggle I was going through, because at some point in his life, he too had to learn how to ride a bike.

He knew

There are some lessons that are hard to learn by book.

And there are some lessons that are best learned from others who have experienced the same struggle.

And here, Paul has learned something.

Not by reading a book.

Not by going to a seminar.

But by experience.

In the middle of verse 11, he says, “for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.”

And he didn’t just go through hard things, but he has learned something; specifically, he has learned to be content.

Then in verse 12, he says, “I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound ...” then later in verse 13, famously, “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”

This is so important.

He’s not saying:

“I know how to defeat poverty.”

Or, “I know how to defeat wealth.”

He’s saying:

“I know how to do poverty.”

Because we don’t willingly deny ourselves.

We like more.

says that in order for Paul to learn humility, God sent him a messenger from Satan, some kind of demon

We want more.

In fact even when we do deny ourselves, there’s usually a reason for it.

We talk ourselves into it.

I have a friend who lives in India.

There are lots of Muslims that live there.

During the month of Ramadan, they fast.

Half they day they don’t eat anything. They only eat at night.

That sounds holy doesn’t it?

That sounds pious and lofty.

Yet, he has pointed out that during their fast they wake up as late as possible, so that there is less daylight for them not to eat.

He also says that they stay up later, and eat most of the night.

So what sounds like a holy, self-denying, religious fast, turns into a month of eating to their hearts content.

But to deny yourself when you have all you need … that’s different.

We need a little bit of help in that area.

It’s a lesson that is brutally learned by experience.

Learning to Live with hunger

“I know how to do wealth.”

Or if you think about verse 13, “I can do all things ...”; he’s saying:

“I can do poverty.”

“I can do wealth.”

That is contentment.

Contentment is Learning to Live with hunger.

Holland, 1944.

Corrie Ten Boom, a Christian, and her family are captured by the Nazis and sent to a concentration camp.

There, Corrie watches her father die, her sister die, as well as thousands around her.

She sleeps on a bed filled with lice.

Disease is rampant.

Food is scarce.

Paul tells us to be content.

What is contentment at that point?

How can you be content?

For the person who says, “God has given you everything you need” is that true for Corrie.

She’s hungry.

People are dying.

Are you going to tell Corrie, “Corrie, you already have enough food, you’re just being greedy?

What does “I can do all things through him who strengthens me” mean to Corrie Ten Boom?

Does it mean that if you believe hard enough that you’ll get enough food?

And what does it say about all those who have already died of starvation?

According to Osteen’s quote, she’s limiting her own dreams.

Would you say she isn’t Christian enough?

They didn’t have enough faith?

Contentment is learning to live with hunger.

Contentment is when you are satisfied with little.

Or for the Christian, hungering to God’s glory.

There are many Christians, who’s life and faith, are dependent only upon their immediate needs.

They only pray when they need something.

They only go to church because they receive something.

They only submit when God provides something.

But that isn’t contentment.

Paul is chained to a Roman Guard.

At times, he’s hungry.

At times, he’s poor.

Yet, never did he say, “I’m through with you God, we are done! You’re not meeting my needs.”

Instead, he rejoices because the Gospel goes out.

He rejoices because he has fellowship with the Philippians.

He says, “I know how to be brought low … I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.”

Or to put it in context and help define what the things are, “I can do poor through Him who strengthens me.”

This challenges us to evaluate our faith.

What is it you need more than anything else in this world, what keeps you going?

, God tells Abraham, “Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.”

I’ll tell you what it’s not.

It’s not your:

Money

Or your job.

It’s not you:

Your family

Or your kids.

, God tells Abraham, “Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering ...”

“Abraham, what do you need more than anything else. Is it your son?”

“Abraham do you love me more, or do you love your son more?”

What causes you to love God?

Is it your health?

Is it your comfort?

And if these are good then your walk with God is good?

If these are what you’re after … then the reality is that God is not the top priority in your life.

So in some sense, we all need to come to the understanding that we are low, that we are lacking.

And the ultimate thing we are lacking … is righteousness, or goodness.

Our sins have created a debt towards God that can never be repaid by our efforts.

Lowness, humility is required for you to understand that through Christ, you can receive the thing you need more than anything else, forgiveness of sins.

Contentment is knowing Christ, and despite our circumstances here on earth, knowing we will be with Him one day.

That’s what Paul knows.

I know how to be brought low. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

What are the all things?

Poverty.

Paul can do poverty, through Christ who strengthens him, because he’s more concerned about God’s name being made great.

It’s not just poverty that Paul knows, contentment is also, Learning to Live with wealth.

Paul says, “I know how to abound … I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”

That doesn’t mean I know the secret to wealth.

It doesn’t mean that Paul has found some new multi-level marketing pyramid scheme that is Christian based and guaranteed to make him rich.

That’s not what, “I know how to abound” means.

It means he knows how to live with wealth.

And that is an accomplishment.

Many times we think it is only the poor who have struggles with money.

That they are the only ones with money troubles.

But we forget, that the Bible is full of warnings about wealth and those who have lots of it.

says, “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.”

The pursuit of wealth and the love of money can have damning affects upon the soul.

is one that has always sat upon my heart, “Two things I ask of you; deny them not to me before I die: Remove far from me falsehood and lying; give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is needful for me, 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.”

Wealth can directly challenge God’s authority over a man’s life.

There are sins and struggles that are unique to those who have more.

There are many sins that walk hand in hand with wealth.

Coveting

The 10th Commandment addresses this directly, Thou shalt not covet.

records King Ahab, of the Northern Kingdom, who has a neighbor named Naboth.

Naboth has a nice little vineyard that is near Ahab’s palace.

Ahab would really like Naboth’s vineyard and wants to turn it into a garden.

The problem is that Naboth doesn’t want to give it up.

He doesn’t want to sell it.

The land has been in his family for generations.

It’s how they make their money.

And one day it will be his children’s.

So it’s not wise to sell it to Ahab, no matter the asking price, it’s his families livelihood.

Ahab’s desire for this vineyard grows in his soul.

It consumes him.

He wakes up and all he thinks about is this vineyard.

He mopes around sad, because he wants this vineyard.

His wife, Jezebel, comes up with a plan.

They host a dinner and invite the elders and leaders of the city to the dinner, including Naboth, owner of the vineyard.

At the dinner, they hired a couple men who were paid to lie about Naboth and say that he cursed God and Ahab, a crime punishable by death.

These liars show up, say the lie, Naboth is taken outside the city and stoned to death, and Ahab gets the vineyard.

That’s coveting.

Ahab had lots, but he wanted more.

The love of wealth not only can lead to coveting or crimes like Ahab, but it can also conflict with our dependance on God.

When you have everything, you no longer are trusting God for your daily needs.

The Lord’s prayer says, “Give us this day, our daily bread.”

At the end of this month, 12 of us are going to the Czech Republic on a trip to share the Gospel.

From what I hear, they get their daily bread by walking to the baker’s daily, and buying bread.

Here, I don’t worry about what I’m going to eat today, I have a fridge and a pantry full of all the bread and goodies I need.

Daily sustenance isn’t on the top of our concerns.

Depending on God daily for our food doesn’t happen as much, because we have so much of it.

And the more we have, the more of a temptation there is to think that we live on our own strength, and not live on the strength of God.

Which is why Paul said in , “As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy.”

There’s a unique challenge to the rich to think that their riches are what provide.

There’s a proverb that I have always loved, , “feed me with the food that is needful for me, lest I be full and deny you and say, “Who is the Lord?” ...”

When we have too much, we begin to think that our strength comes from ourselves.

Nebuchadnezzar had this happen.

He’s the king of Babylon.

He’s walking on the roof of his palace and admiring all that he has.

His palace is big.

His power is unending.

His kingdom is huge.

He saw all of this greatness and said, “Is not this great Babylon, which I have built by my mighty power as a royal residence and for the glory of my majesty?”

And the Lord immediately humbled him.

He spent 7 years living like an animal.

I know how to abound. … I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Contentment in wealth is using your wealth to the glory of God.

And the best example of using wealth to the glory of God ironically, doesn’t come from the wealthy, but comes from the poor.

There were many poor Christians living in Jerusalem.

Their conversion to Christ meant that they were ostracized from their families, lost their jobs, and were thrust into poverty.

In Paul mentions the Macedonians.

They were a poor group of Christians, living in Greece.

Paul says they lived in extreme poverty.

But they also knew that whatever they had was to be used to the glory of God.

II Corinthians says they gave themselves first to the Lord, meaning whatever they had belonged to him.

They pooled their resources together, and begged Paul to let them help financially support the Christians in Jerusalem.

They begged to give.

When was the last time you begged to give anything.

They used their abundance, no matter how small, to the glory of God.

Learning to live in wealth, means using whatever you have … to His glory.

“I know how to abound. … I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”

What are the all things?

Paul can do wealth, through Christ who strengthens him.

And he uses that wealth as a resource to God’s glory.

Finally, Contentment is Learning to Live or Die on Christ’s Strength.

Paul isn’t saying, “I can become poor if I want to, or I can become rich if I want to.”

He’s saying I know how to live if I’m poor, and I know how to live if I’m rich.”

He says, he’s cracked the code, he knows the secret.

Most people exhaust their lives trying to meet certain needs.

We spend years going to college.

We spend years moving up the corporate ladder.

We spend years trying to impress people.

We spend years trying to get to that next big achievement.

People sacrifice everything for these goals.

And they are never satisfied.

They always want more.

The individual’s personal goals and desires become the end all of life.

And the self becomes the primary driving force in one’s life.

And what happens?

We are never satisfied.

We are never rich enough.

We are never popular enough.

We don’t have enough.

And it’s not just money.

Paul says, “In any and every circumstance ...”

There is a level of contentment that’s available in every situation that you face.

And how do we find contentment through these trials?

By living to the glory of Christ.

Back at the beginning of the book, Paul told us, to live is Christ and to die is gain.

As opposed to living to your glory.

Our contentment needs to rest in Christ’s name being made greater.

Our family discipleship book begins with saying, “The chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.”

We’ve seen that with Paul.

He’s in prison.

That’s not what he would want.

But he praises God because Christ’s Gospel is spreading.

In , he goes so far as to say, “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”

Paul could be content in whatever situation came his way, knowing that Christ rules in heaven, and he will one day be with Christ.

What’s awesome is that Paul doesn’t need to be alone in this ambition.

You could have this same contentment and rest if you are in Christ.

You may not be in jail like Paul, you have your own situations that you can live in the strength of Christ with.

But you can go through life with the confidence that one day you too will be with Christ.

This is a great promise for those who are in Christ.

What would your life look like if contentment was found in you living life to the glory of Christ as opposed to your own greatness?

How would you spend your time if you used it to the glory of Christ?

Would you read more?

Would you serve more?

Would you pray more?

How would you spend your money if you spent it the glory of Christ?

Would you give more?

Would you beg to give more, like the Macedonians?

Would you be generous?

How would you handle your possessions if you handled them to the glory of Christ?

Would you share them?

Would you see them as stuff?

Those who take this verse out of context and say it’s about fulfilling your dreams, fall far short of its true meaning.

Because life isn’t about you.

It’s about God working through you, whether rich or poor, or in between.

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