More (Philippians 4:10-13)

More…we always want more

More stuff

More money

More relationships

More health

More time

The purpose that Paul had for sending a letter to the Philippian believers was to thank them for a gift they sent

Paul did not write to just thank them though

He wrote to explain to them that God had taught him the ability to be content

Contentment is not a gift, it is learned by experience

Contentment was not an inborn trait of Paul’s

It is not an inborn trait for any of us

(Verse 12) He learned to be content through the circumstances God had brought his way

Paul faced imprisonments, encounters with death, beating, stonings, ship wrecks…he experienced hunger, cold and nakedness ()

Paul had learned how to be abased…or how to suffer

On the other hand he knew how to be full

Many other portions of Scripture share the joys of Paul’s needs being met

Paul’s joy came from something deeper

Something apart from prosperity or poverty

Paul had learned the secret of remaining joyful in spite of circumstances

This meant that Paul no longer depended upon himself for joy or happiness…it came from the Lord

Paul remained independent of his circumstances because his foundation was Jesus Christ

Verse 13 Paul says “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me”

It is the power of Christ that brought contentment to Paul

We try a lot of substitutes for contentment

But it is like trying to use margarine when a recipe calls for butter

There is no substitute for butter

There is no substitute for the contentment that can come through Jesus Christ

Where do you find joy and happiness?

If it is from anywhere but Jesus Christ it is not true joy

Turn to Christ today

He will forgive you of your sins and work in your heart to bring joy and contentment

You cannot know true joy apart from Jesus Christ