Spiritual Stability through Contentment

Philippians 4:10-13

As we continue the fourth chapter of Philippians, the Lord is going to give us a principle about spiritual stability, not necessarily from a command, but from the example of the Apostle Paul’s life. Follow along with me as I read Philippians 4:10-14:

Philippians 4:10–13 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.

Paul tell us in Philippians 4:10 “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.” Look down in Philippians 4:14 “14 Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble.” Verses ten and fourteen reveal one of the main reasons for Paul’s writing the letter to the Philippians; to thank them for their financial support of his ministry

Nestled between verses ten and fourteen, we get a glimpse into Paul’s Christian experience. With that glimpse we see a man who will teach us about the secret of contentment. The life lessons that he gives are truly invaluable because they teach us how to have spiritual stability through contentment. We must first begin with the question, “What is Contentment?”

1. What is contentment?

Paul, wanting to be sure that the Lord doesn’t loose his preeminent position in everything gives some insight into his spiritual stability through contentment in Philippians 4:11 “11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.”

The Greek word that we translate “content” literally means, “Self-sufficient.” Now, being self-sufficient seems contrary to the Christian life because we are not to be self-sufficient, but God-dependent.

Paul is not talking about being self-sufficient without no need of God, but being self-sufficient apart from circumstances, or independent of circumstances. Paul can be satisfied in life no matter what the circumstances may be. That is a good definition of contentment.

When we are satisfied in life apart from circumstances we find ourselves truly imitating the character of God. God is a self-sufficient God. That is, he doesn’t need anything outside of himself, he is complete. He is content.

So contentment in this context speaks of a satisfaction that comes apart from our circumstances. And it doesn’t take long to notice that we humans, and we Christians, struggle in the area of truly being content.

Definition: Satisfied with life in spite of circumstances

We struggle with being content with our finances. We struggle with being content with our marriages and families. We struggle with being content with our job situations and living situations. We struggle with being content with our church situations. And when this discontentment is not dealt with, it brings debilitating blow to our spiritual stability in our Christian experience.

The second lesson that we learn from this passage is that Contentment is a learned disposition.

2. Contentment is a learned disposition

Paul says in Philippians 4:11 “for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.” ,He says in Philippians 4:12 “I have learned the secret.” I don’t know about you, but that gives me hope. It gives me hope that I don’t have to struggle with discontentment all my life. I can actually learn how to find satisfaction apart from my circumstances.

Paul used two different words to teach us that contentment is acquired or earned. In verses eleven Paul uses the Greek word “manthano.” It means to arrive at a fact of understanding. It is the same root where we get our word for disciple. Paul is saying that as a pupil of the Lord Jesus and student enrolled in life, I have learned to be content.

The second word he uses in verse twelve is not the same word that he uses in verse eleven. The Greek word that he uses in verse twelve is “Mueo.” It means to learn a secret through personal experience, an experience that is a result of initiation. Paul is saying that through the initiation of life experiences that he learned the secret of being satisfied apart from circumstances.

I will never forget my freshman year at South Garland High School. I was out at what was called the slab. The slab was the designated area were students could go to smoke cigarettes and chew tobacco. I was a goat roper at the time and so I went out to slab every to put a pinch between my cheek and gums. One day I was asked by the upper classman, “what grade are you in?” And I replied, “freshman.” Their eyes got big and they proceeded to tell me that I needed to go to the other side of the slab and stand in the trashcan. I said, to them, “There is no way I’m going to stand in the trashcan.” Two of the upper classman grabbed my arms and I started fighting. I was so determined to avoid the initiation process. Unfortunately, the more I fought the more other guys got involved. I finally learned the secret of getting initiated, don’t fight it, just get in over with.

Likewise, the disposition of contentment doesn’t come naturally, and many of us fight it. But if we want to be spiritually stable we must learn contentment. Another lesson that we learn is found in verse twelve.

3. Contentment is learned in the laboratory of life

Life is the occasion or the laboratory in which the lesson of contentment is learned. Paul gets very specific about the areas that he had to learn contentment in Philippians 4:12 “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.”

Paul had the secret on how to live when he had both plenty to eat and when he didn’t know where the next meal was coming from. He learned the secret of being satisfied having both abundance and suffering need.

Paul says, “I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound.” Brought low and abound is referring to material needs. It refers to money.

Facing plenty and hunger referss to food and water. Food, water, clothing; these are the very things that Jesus told us not to worry about. Jesus told his disciples and he tells us not to be anxious about food, or water, or clothing in Matthew chapter six. The cure to worry was to seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness.

Paul said that he had to learn contentment in two areas, poverty and prosperity. I can see the struggle in poverty, but I must admit that I long to have the struggle in prosperity. The truth is, contentment in both life situations must be learned.

It was one of the Rockefellers who was once asked, “How much money will it take to make you happy?” And he replied, “Just a little bit more.”

The cause of discontentment comes when one’s faith is weak. It comes when one’s trust in the Lord is shallow.

God puts us into the laboratory of life so that we can learn to trust him, to have faith in him, to be content.

The truth of the matter is when we struggle with discontentment we do because we are focused on self and not God.

How do we overcome discontentment in our financial situation? How do we overcome discontentment in our marriages, or our job situations? How do we become independent of our circumstances? How do we find satisfaction and happiness when life around us is not a happy situation?

How did Paul learn the secret of contentment? He gives the answer in verse thirteen. And here is the answer to the question of contentment. The answer is Jesus. Christ is the source of contentment.

4. Christ is the source of contentment

What Paul learned is that he could live independent of circumstances and be satisfied if he was dependent on the Lord. Philippians 4:13 is a familiar verse to most believers,“13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”

Paul’s source of satisfaction was found in Jesus. It is really true, life is all about Jesus.

In weak moments where discontentment can set in, Paul declared himself strong and satisfied because Christ was his strength.

We need to be very careful when we use this verse. Sometimes we use this verse out of context. Paul is not talking about a superman type of power, but a strength that comes with being in Jesus and walking with Jesus on a daily basis.

When interpreting the Bible you must always interpret the Bible with the Bible. Paul gives us greater detail of what he means in verse thirteen in 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 “7 So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

Paul is saying the same thing in Philippians chapter four. I am content because God’s grace is sufficient and satisfying no matter what the circumstances.

What is the answer to discontentment? Jesus! True contentment is learned in the laboratory of life and can only be found in Jesus Christ. Jesus is the secret to true contentment.

Christian, how are you doing in the college of contentment? I don’t know about you, but I’m on academic probation. But thanks be to God, I have found the answer. I now know how to graduate from the college of contentment. I simply go to Jesus and find my satisfaction in him, and him alone.

Charles Spurgeon once said,

“It is well for the Christian and we can’t imagine it any better. We are well fed, feeding on the flesh and blood of Jesus. We are well clothed, wearing the imputed righteousness of Christ. We are well housed, dwelling in God. We are well married, our soul is knit in bonds of marriage to Christ. We are well provided for, having the Lord as our Shepherd. We are well endowed, with heaven as our inheritance.”

It’s all about Jesus!

For some of you, you are content in the wrong areas. You are content living a life without Christ. You are content living as an enemy of God. You are content living a life of sin. You are content with being in control of your life. But let me lovingly warn you that you contentment will one day turn into discontentment.

Discontent because you will find yourself eternally separated from God. What will you choose, 70-80 years of living a content life apart from Christ, which leads to Christless eternity, or will you choose a life satisfied in Christ, which leads to a blissful and satisfied eternity with Christ. True contentment is found in Christ alone.

Can you hear his voice today? Will you give your life to Christ?