Philippians 4:10-23 Live in Contentment

20-11-08 - Philippians 4:10-23 Live in Contentment

HBI: vs 12-13 – Whether through abundance, or through being at our lowest we can learn contentment through Christ and His strength. 

Intro

There are some verses that when read alone can easily lead to people taking them the wrong way and give them the wrong meaning. 

There is one of them in this passage, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!” Made popular recently by the NFL Quarterback Tim Tebow who has used it as a source of comfort, I guess. 

The Famous Mega Church Pastor Joel Osteen wrote in one of His daily devotionals: When was the last time you declared “I can” out loud? It is not something people think to do every day. In fact, 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 is 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 must know is that if God said you can...you can!

Today, why don’t you begin to open yourself up to possibilities in your future by simply declaring this verse, “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength?” At the stoplight, when you’re waiting in line, any time you have a second just quote this verse to yourself again. Let it sink down deeply into your heart. As you do, His word will transform you. Faith will rise in your heart and will boldly embrace the blessings that He has in store for you!

I admit when I was playing sports in College, I used this verse as a source of strength by writing it boldly on my sneakers. 

But there is so much more to the verse then that, when taken within the context of the whole passage it brings on much deeper meaning, we learn then what it means to be content in all things we go through because of the strength of Christ. 

Let us investigate this passage to see what it means to be content in all things. 

Vs 10-13 – Christ Centered Contentment

The more you read this passage the more you realize there is a lot more to it then to just be able to do anything we want because the Lord is our strength. 

Right off the bat we learn about being content and what that should look like. In our lives no matter what we go through we need to learn to trust in the Lord and be content where He has led us for He know what He is doing and He is our strength. 

Paul was an Apostles and what we today would call a missionary or a church planter. He went around telling people about the life of Jesus and challenged them to live their lives for Him for He is the messiah and Lord. 

Missionaries today often seek the financial support of others. There is nothing wrong with this. Some missionaries support themselves which again is okay. 

I have friends who have said pastors should be like Paul was, not relying on the support of others. Though I do not necessarily agree. 

The main thing though is that Paul was content in the Lord supporting His own ministry. He was a tent maker as we read in Acts 18:3 and since they were of the same occupation, tentmakers by trade, he stayed with them and worked.

Paul had a reason for this, he did not want his call for money from the churches he went to, to get in the way of the spread of the gospel. Though He would have had no problem relying on the support of others. 

Some churches where happy to support him for all he had done and they sent Him aid and he thanked them for it. As we see here. Philippians 4:10 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly because once again you renewed your care for me. You were, in fact, concerned about me but lacked the opportunity to show it. 

Paul was content to trust the Lord to provide without asking people for money. And though there where times where he had little God always provided enough for him. 

Financially can we to learn to be content in whatever situation God has led us too? How about take that a step further, when was the last time we thanked God for what He has provided? 

Or maybe if God has given you an abundance when was the last time you used that to bless the work of the Lord somewhere like the church in Philippi did for Paul? 

Paul knew what it was like to be in need, though he never let that bother Him for he trusted in the Lord in all things that he did. 11 I don’t say this out of need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I find myself1

He knew God was calling him to spread the message of Jesus. So, whenever he found himself in need, or in abundance he had faith that God would never fail. Whether God took him home to heaven or continued to give him all he needed to survive in this he was content in the Lord. 

12 I know how to make do with little, and I know how to make do with a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content—whether well fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need2

In all things, if we are living a Christ centered life, we will learn what it means to be content in the Lord. 

Paul even had a thorn in the flesh. 2 Corinthians 12:7 especially because of the extraordinary revelations. Therefore, so that I would not exalt myself, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to torment me so that I would not exalt myself.

We do not know what it is, even though people have speculated for a while what it could have been. It does not matter what it was just that it was a source of irritation and pain in the life of the apostle. 

Paul said that God allowed it in his life so that he would not become conceited but remember that all he had and all he did was by God for the glory of God. 

Being content is a tough lesson to learn at the best of times, it is a lesson I had to learn this lesson the hard way a while ago. 

I had to learn to trust God in all circumstances no matter what is going on. I was struggling you see after Bible college to find a wife. 

This was a serious thing for me at the time and I got to the point where I said “alright God I am content …. now give me a wife”. But unfortunately, it does not work that way, I had to learn to be okay with all things God leads me through even if it meant spending my life as a single man. 

What this is telling us is that we need to learn that our contentment should not depend on outward circumstances or things of the world. 

Sometimes prosperity has done more damage to the church then adversity has ever done. Through trial and testing Paul was initiated into the secret of contentment despite poverty or prosperity, and only through the strength of Christ. 

So this is when we finally get to the verse 13 I am able to do all things through him who strengthens me3

This is not some mantra to get all that we ever wanted if we just ask God. God is not some sort of Fairy God Father who goes poof, what do you need?

But rather it is a reminder that no matter what situation we can learn to be content because verse “I am ready for anything through the strength of the one who lives within me.”

Vs 14-18 – Provision for others

When we learn to be content in whatever situation that we may be in, God will provide for our needs, For His glory according to His will for our lives. 

Sometimes this may be through miraculous means and sometimes this may be through other people. 18 But I have received everything in full, and I have an abundance. I am fully supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what you provided—a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God.4

He didn’t expect the gift, he did not ask for the gift but the church in Philippi saw the need that was there and gave out of what they had so that Paul could continue his ministry. 

In our contentment in the plan of the Lord we also need to learn to help others out like this. We need to remember that all we have been given has been given us by God for His glory and we are just stewarding of it. We have only been given temporary control of what we have. 

We need to continue to learn to use what we have been given for the glory of the Lord. I am encouraged when I look out at you guys and see how a small church can support a church and a bible camp. May Gd continue to bless you so you can give to His glory. 

So continue to ask if there is anyone around you that could use help, whether it be through physical help or maybe financial help as well. 

Is there a missionary that needs some help? If you have the ability and the means you need to give it to God to further His Kingdom. 

Vs 19-23 – My needs

We can be a blessing to someone for the glory of the Lord. We do it not for the accolades but for the furthering of the kingdom of God. 

When I was training for my missions’ trip along with 7 of my friends one of us did not have the support, she needed to go overseas with us. Without the proper support she was going to have to go home. 

So, the staff got us all together and said what was going on and asked all of us who were already trying to raise support. To help her. We managed to give enough that she could go. 

19 And my God will supply all your needs according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 5

God will supply for all your needs, not all of your greed’s. God wants to bless us but “our best life now” is not usually what God has planned. His blessings look a little different. 

So What?

The all to familiar story of Joseph and his brothers illustrates this well. They w ere jealous of him and sold him into slavery at a young age. 

He was taken to Egypt and while he was there, and soon in prison there, God revealed to him that there where going to seven years of famine in the land after 7 years of plenty. 

It was through Joseph’s interpretation of Pharaoh’s dreams that this fact was discovered. Because of that, Joseph was elevated to the position of second ruler in Egypt. After twenty years of separation, Joseph’s brothers were reconciled to him, and they understood what the Lord had done.6

Are you abounding, be content with what you have God will give you strength? Do you have nothing? Be content God will give you strength. You will have the strength to endure wherever God has led you because He will give you strength. 

How can we learn to be content wherever God has led us because we get our strength from Him.