Joy Through Contentment

Introduction

What makes a person content in life?

The reality of discontentment

New research shows the richer we get, the less happy we become. A study, published this month in the journal Nature Human Behavior, found that once we reach a certain household income -- $105,000 in the United States, $95,000 globally -- more income “tended to be associated with reduced life satisfaction and a lower level of well-being.”

And it’s not just adults who are impacted by this phenomenon. Children who come from affluent families are more likely to suffer from depression, anxiety and substance abuse than those who come from less affluent families, research shows.

So what exactly is eating at the rich? A lot.

More money, more wants. It may be that once you have enough money to meet basic needs and be able to purchase small conveniences or repay debt, extra money may simply fuel “desires such as pursuing more material gains and social comparisons, which could, ironically, lower well-being,” researchers from Purdue University believe.

— Marketwatch, https://www.marketwatch.com/story/the-dark-reasons-so-many-rich-people-are-miserable-human-beings-2018-02-22

Are you discontent?

Are you grumbling about your current circumstances?

Are you worried about your future circumstances?

Are you looking and longing for what you see in lives around you (on social media, etc)?

Are you bitter about your past circumstances?

Do you feel you would be happier, more satisfied if you lived here, had that job, were in that relationship?

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.

The Philippian’s gift for Paul’s need (10)

Paul’s need and Christ’s sufficiency (11- 13)

Christ’s sufficiency through the Philippian’s generosity (14-17)

The Philippian’s generosity for God’s glory (18-20)

Paul wants to thank the Philippians for their gift while at the same time remind them that he is not dependent on their gifts.

“We know that this contentment is not simply idealistic but rather characteristic of the Christian life.”

— Chasing Contentment

However, in many ways, if we are honest, we may rewrite the passage to say, “I have learned in every way to be discontent”

The first step to contentment is to recognize the nature and source of your discontentment.

What is contentment?

Contentment is joyful trust in God’s providence.

Contentment is independent of your circumstances.

In other words, you don’t need to change your circumstances in order to be content. Great news!!

If contentment were based on circumstances then we are all doomed.

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.

for I have learned in whatever situation

Paul can be content in any situation because contentment is not dependent on the situation.

God’s providence is not dependent on any particular situation.

Contentment comes from the inside out. (This makes Christianity unique)

Contentment is not based on circumstances. (Neither is Joy)

Stoics detached

Buddhists escape

Secularists seek in the world

Christians find contentment in Christ.

In any and every circumstance,

the extent and the frequency - there is never a reason to NOT be content.

Paul “learned” to be content. It’s a sign of maturity.

brought low / abound, plenty / hunger, abundance / need

Paul is saying he has been on both sides of the spectrum and he has found the secret of being content no matter where he finds himself.

It is not as though should you find yourself in a particular financial bracket that you are somehow immune to discontent.

poor - you see what you don’t have and believe having more will somehow bring contentment

rich - you gain what the world has to offer and find it is empty

The world offers us shiny wrapped empty boxes.

1 Timothy 6:5–10 (ESV) — 5 (and constant friction among) people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain. 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. 9 But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 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.

Contentment is not dependent on you.

But it can be hindered by you.

13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

So much wrong has been done to this verse.

We often use it to invoke power rather than remind us of our source of contentment.

t-shirts, sports teams

This is the ‘secret’ Paul talked about. Whether he has a lot or a little — Christ’s power strengthens him to be content — to trust in God’s providence.

“I have the power to do all things in Christ who gives me the power.

The power I have to do all things comes from Christ’s power — not from the satisfaction of circumstances.

There are two “powers” at work here.

The power I am exerting externally to deal with the circumstances.

The power that comes from Jesus — which is the source of my power.

There is no circumstance that Paul could ever face that would be too much for Paul’s God. And since Paul’s strength to face any circumstance is directly related to God’s strength, then there is NO circumstance that Paul cannot face with contentment — complete and joyful trust in the providence of God.

“through him”

better translated in him

This happens as we walk in Christ

God may use your generosity to aid contentment.

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.

God can provide for your every need, and sometimes you are the means by which he meets someone’s need.

Look at how Paul describes their generosity:

Sharing

Galatians 6:2 (ESV) — 2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

Partnership

Generosity fuels gospel mission.

Had the Philippians not given Paul this gift, we would be missing part of our Bible.

Credit

Word used for business transactions.

Where is the credit?

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.

There is a blessing in the giving.

Offering

Not because it adhered to the Law but because it came from a pure heart.

It’s worship.

One of the sure ways to show our contentment in every circumstance is to be generous in other’s circumstances.

Christ will satisfy.

19 And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

Why do we think Jesus won’t satisfy?

He’s not your God.

We expect God to supply every want.

We expect God to supply our needs according to the world’s riches.

according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

“from his glorious riches”

Jesus will not supply all according to your (limited) needs. Rather, Jesus provides out of his limitless riches.

NOTHING will prove beyond his ability to provide for you so that you will be satisfied in him.

“from his riches when we are in glory”

This world is not our home.

Contentment is being satisfied in the Giver more than the giving.

Is Christ enough?

Is it enough to follow him or do I need more?

Is it enough to be a follower of Christ or do I need another title?

Is it enough that Jesus knows me or will I not be content until others know my name as well?

If I were to wake up tomorrow and all my stuff is gone, will I say, “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”

What do you need besides Jesus?

This is where joy comes in.

“Christian Hedonism is the conviction that God’s ultimate goal in the world (his glory) and our deepest desire (to be happy) are one and the same, because God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in him. Not only is God the supreme source of satisfaction for the human soul, but God himself is glorified by our being satisfied in him. Therefore, our pursuit of joy in him is essential.”

— John Piper

https://www.desiringgod.org/topics/christian-hedonism#joy-changes-everything

Habakkuk 3:17–18 (ESV) — 17 Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, 18 yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation.

Conclusion

Are you content in the place where God has you?

Are you content with whom God has place you?

Are you content with what you have?

Are you content in spite of what you do not have?

Can you say, “I have enough?”

Can you say, “Christ is enough?”

What will it take for Jesus to be enough for you — for you to be content in following Jesus?