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Philippians 4:10-14, But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned before, but you lacked opportunity. 11 Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. 12 I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. 13 I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. 14 Nevertheless, you have done well to share with me in my affliction.
Have you ever gotten the itch? Just gotta have that new thing. Companies spend millions to stir up your discontent. We’re talking about contentment and its opposite in this passage. Discontentment is at the root of most if not all sins – greed, lust, jealousy, anger. “I’m not happy with what I have; if I get this new thing I’ll be happier.” The human heart naturally says, “I want, I want more,” or “I want what they have.” You see this played out nearly every week in the nursery. Abe Lincoln was walking along with two sons who were both crying loudly. “What’s the problem?” asked a neighbor. “The same thing that’s the matter with the whole world. I have three walnuts and each boy wants two.” Years ago I was at a church gathering and had my eye set on a slice of pecan pie. Then someone got in front of me and snagged it. I was disappointed, to say the least.
DISCONTENTMENT IS SIN.
You see discontentment all over the Scriptures. It started in the garden in Genesis 3. Satan’s ploy was to get Adam and Eve discontent with all that God had given them and to focus on the one tree He forbade. In Joshua 7 Achan just had to have that gold, silver, and beautiful cloak from Shinar that said, “You’re going to like the way you look!” So he took them and buried them in his tent, forgetting that those eyes above see everything. His discontent cost him and his whole family dearly. In Numbers 16 Korah and his crowd weren’t content being Levites; they insisted on being priests too. They also paid dearly for their sinful discontent. The earth opened and swallowed them all. In 2 Samuel 11 David wasn’t content with his many wives and concubines. His discontent lusting heart had to have Bathsheba.
In 1 Kings 21 King Ahab got the itch for Naboth’s vineyard. Naboth wouldn’t sell it so Ahab went home, crawled into bed, turned his face to the wall, and like a big crybaby refused to eat. His pagan wife Jezebel came in. “What’s wrong, Ahab baby?” “Naboth won’t sell me his vineyard.” Jezebel said, “Aren’t you the king? Kings get whatever they want. I’ll get that vineyard for you.” She drug out a couple worthless liars who charged Naboth with cursing God. They took him outside and stoned him. Jezebel ran to Ahab, “Get up and take possession of that vineyard. Naboth is dead.”
Jerry Bridges wrote, “Whatever situation tempts us to be discontent, and however severe it may be, we need to recognize that discontent is a sin.” How can discontent be a sin? What does it say? Discontent reveals you don’t believe God is providing you with what you need right now to live for His glory. You want what God hasn’t given you or permitted you to have. Like worry, discontentment is a form of practical atheism.
Let’s look at our passage in Philippians 4. Paul has taught us to rejoice always, pray about everything, and experience God’s peace that passes understanding. Now he teaches us about contentment. He thanks the Philippians for their faithful support, but at the same time wants them to understand the rare jewel of Christian contentment, the title Puritan Jeremiah Burroughs chose for one of his books. Rare because very few seem to have it. Jewel because it’s a precious God-given grace with dividends of joy and peace. Here’s Burrough’s description of contentment.
“Christian contentment is that sweet, inward, quiet, gracious frame of spirit, which freely submits to and delights in God’s wise and fatherly disposal in every condition.”
CONTENTMENT DOESN’T COME NATURALLY.
Paul says he learned to be content in verse 11 and he learned the secret of contentment in verse 12. Contentment isn’t natural to our selfish hearts. Spurgeon describes contentment as a flower grown in heaven that must be cultivated. The Greek word for content means literally self-sufficient, but not in a Frank Sinatra way – “I did it my way. What is a man, what has he got? If not himself, then he has naught.” No, contentment is finding all your sufficiency in Christ. In 1 Timothy 6:6 Paul gives a divine formula for contentment, “Godliness is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment.” Then 1 Timothy 6:7 says we brought nothing with us and we’ll take nothing out. You never see a moving van at a grave site. Paul continues in verse 8, “If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content.” And Hebrews 13:5 tells us to stay free from the love of money and be content with what we have because God says He will never leave us nor forsake us. If you have Christ, you have all you need.
Let’s look at five truths about contented people and dig a little deeper into our hearts. That itch that plagued Korah, Achan, David, and Ahab plagues us all in one way or another.
CONTENTED PEOPLE ARE THANKFUL PEOPLE – vss. 10-11.
Philippians 4:10-11, 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.
One reason Paul wrote this letter was to thank the Philippians for sending him a gift for his needs. And he is very grateful. He not only rejoiced in the Lord but he rejoices greatly. Remember, he’s chained to two soldiers in a Roman prison. What a witness this was to those soldiers. In a cruel, greedy pagan world, here comes Epaphroditus with a good-sized gift for their prisoner. Paul may have said to his guards, “You see, fellows, this is how Christians treat each other. They love each other and do whatever they can to bless each other.” Who knows whether God used this gift to open their hearts to the gospel. In Philippians 1:13 Paul said, “In my imprisonment the cause of Christ has become well-known throughout the whole Praetorian guard.” Isn’t that good? The message of Christ going throughout the elite unit of the Roman army.
Paul was grateful for their gift. Contented people don’t grumble or gripe about what others have or haven’t done for them. They are grateful to God for how He is using other people to bless their lives. Since 1978 God’s people have provided our personal family needs except for one year when I worked in construction; and we are deeply thankful. Also, your giving for this ministry of Evansville Bible Church is greatly appreciated.
Now notice how careful Paul is here. He doesn’t want them to think he’s been up there in Rome wondering where their gift is. He’s mainly happy because a giving spirit is one of the greatest evidences of the grace of God in their lives. God loves a cheerful giver. Paul rejoices greatly because he sees God working in their hearts by the gift they sent to him.
Have you ever heard, “All the churches want is your money?” I recall as a kid going with my parents to Sandy Cove Retreat Center on Sunday mornings when we vacationed at the Chesapeake Bay, Maryland. George Palmer started this camp and it grew into a beautiful family camp and retreat center, and he would preach on Sundays. The one thing I remember from his sermons was Mr. Palmer begging for money. He even turned on the water works as he tearfully pleaded for the people’s offerings. Some of you may remember Oral Roberts telling his followers how God told him he’d die if he didn’t raise money for his City of Faith hospital complex.
Paul wanted the Philippians to know he wasn’t using them for their money or that God wasn’t taking care of him. So Paul is careful what he says. “Not that I speak from want.” He is grateful and not a sponger and he wants them to know it. He is content with what he has and trusts God to provide. Money must never rule a church or ministry. And a church or ministry must never give the message that God is nearly bankrupt and if they don’t get your money their worldwide kingdom enterprise will collapse. That’s when it’s time to change the channel or quit sending them money.
CONTENTED PEOPLE DON’T DEPEND ON CIRCUMSTANCES FOR THEIR JOY AND SATISFACTION.
Philippians 4:11, Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.
This is so good. If you depend on things happening to you and your situation to be happy, you’ll probably be a miserable person. Paul is saying, “I’ve learned to keep my heart independent on what happens around me or to me.” He said, “To live is Christ and to die is gain!” Jerry Bridges lists six earthly circumstances that can test our faith and bring discontent, fretting, and distraction in our walk with Christ:
- An unfulfilling or low-paying job.
- Singleness well into midlife or beyond. Jerry himself was in his mid-30s when he first married.
- Inability to bear children. God allows some people to adopt. God doesn’t make mistakes.
- An unhappy marriage. John Wesley’s wife caused him grief. One time she pulled John around the room by his hair, which he wore naturally long. She also spied on him out of jealousy to see if he was too friendly with the ladies.
- Physical disabilities. I recently viewed a video of a person with no arms. As difficult as these disability providences of God can be, it blew me away how people without arms learn to use their feet and toes to type, drive, shoot guns, change baby diapers, and almost everything we use our hands for, and with a happy spirit!
- Continual poor health. This can be a heavy trial, but Paul called these times “momentary light afflictions” compared with the coming reward of glory (2 Cor. 4:17).
All these circumstances and many more can be very painful. And we may be helpless to do anything about them besides pray and ask God for strength to handle the trial with a contented spirit. Years ago I gave counsel to a wife with two teenage boys whose husband was irresponsible and gambled his money away. He would just leave and not tell her where he was or when he’d be back. What should she do? She loved him, but she was helpless as he continued his habit. She had to live on two levels. Her heart had to be set on God and His promises. Her expectations had to be in God, who God is, and how God blessed her in Christ. She had to keep focused on her Savior and at the same time be faithful to her husband. It wasn’t easy but her contentment was in Christ, not her husband. She lived this way for years. This story has a good ending with them happily married today. Their marriage survived, mainly by her efforts to please God through it all.
You may be struggling with some of the things Bridges mentions. Contentment doesn’t mean indifference to your situation. If you can improve your situation legitimately, you should do so. Hannah wanted a child so she prayed about it and God gave her Samuel. First Cor. 7:21 says if you are a slave but have opportunity to be free, take it. If you can find a better job, do it. Forget about finding a better husband, though. Contentment includes living responsibly, learning to live within your means, and taking care of what you have. Don’t let your circumstances control you. They don’t define you; Christ defines you.
CONTENTED PEOPLE ARE SATISFIED WITH WHAT THEY HAVE.
Philippians 4:12, I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need.
Someone said Paul’s statement, “I have learned to be content in whatever circumstance I am” should be engraved on our hearts. Let’s look at the contrasts here in verse 12: humble vs. prosperity, filled vs. hungry, abundance vs. need. Paul adds whatever the circumstance: in any and every circumstance, that includes them all. This is where Paul has learned this secret of contentment. He didn’t come by it naturally. Contentment is something we have to learn, just like Paul did. Let’s survey some of his “any” and “every” circumstance.
2 Corinthians 4:8-10, 8 we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; 10 always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.
2 Corinthians 6:4-10, 4 in everything commending ourselves as servants of God, in much endurance, in afflictions, in hardships, in distresses, 5 in beatings, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in hunger, 6 in purity, in knowledge, in patience, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in genuine love, 7 in the word of truth, in the power of God; by the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and the left, 8 by glory and dishonor, by evil report and good report; regarded as deceivers and yet true; 9 as unknown yet well-known, as dying yet behold, we live; as punished yet not put to death, 10 as sorrowful yet always rejoicing, as poor yet making many rich, as having nothing yet possessing all things.
Contentment is a condition of the heart that isn’t controlled by circumstances or things. “In any and every circumstance,” says Paul. While we need to be content with what our sovereign, wise, and loving Father brings into our lives, we should never be content with a ho-hum life with Christ. We should always want more of Christ in our lives. Our hearts should be controlled by one Master, Jesus Christ. Nothing but Christ should rule and motivate our lives. That’s why greed and covetousness are idolatry. Something else is ruling your heart. Ephesians 5:5 calls a covetous man an idolater and Colossians 3:5 says greed amounts to idolatry.
Contented people are happy with what they have and they trust God to provide what they need. Paul says, “I have learned the secret of having little if that’s what you have.” Pity the man whose wife is constantly pressuring him to make more money. And blessed is the man with a frugal wife who says to her husband when he gets the itch to spend money on a new item, “But what’s wrong with the one we have?” While contented people are happy with what they have, they show they may be able to handle more prosperity.
CONTENTED PEOPLE CAN HANDLE MORE.
Back in verse 12, Paul says he can handle having more. “I know how to live in prosperity.” There’s nothing wrong with being wealthy and making tons of money if you’ve learned the secret of handling it for God’s glory. Just beware of God’s warnings.
1 Timothy 6:9-10, But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
Which is tougher, having little or having much? Paul describes “having much” as prosperity, being filled, having abundance. This may be the hardest trial of all. Notice, Paul doesn’t say poverty is more spiritual than prosperity. But prosperity itself is a test of your heart. When the money pours in some get “purse-proud” as Spurgeon calls them. They get smug, cocky, self-sufficient, greedy for more, too busy for Bible reading, church, spiritual coldness sets in. Jesus said, “You can’t love God and money” (Matt. 6:24). Contented people with their eyes on Christ can handle more, but beware. The sinful heart says, “I want. I want more.”
CONTENTED PEOPLE BELIEVE IN GOD’S GOOD AND LOVING SOVEREIGNTY OVER THEIR LIVES.
Here’s the secret which you should memorize.
Philippians 4:13, I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.
Psalm 139:16 says every one of your days, and each and every circumstance in each of those days, has been ordained and providentially arranged by God.
Psalms 139:16, Your eyes have seen my unformed substance; And in Your book were all written The days that were ordained for me, When as yet there was not one of them.
Jerry Bridges explains, “The theme running through contentment is the importance of a firm belief in the sovereignty, wisdom, and goodness of God in all the circumstances of our lives.” We can add understanding God’s providence. Providence means seeing beforehand. God sees beforehand and brings about what He has ordained. Warren Wiersbe writes, “It is the working of God in advance to arrange circumstances and situations for the fulfilling of His purposes.” Godly contentment believes Romans 8:28, that each and every circumstance works together for your good if you know and love God. Why? Because God is using those circumstances, all of them, the good and the bad, to conform us more and more to the image of His Son.
Where are your hopes? In this world or in God? You may have had your hopes set on something or someone and your hopes were dashed. Do you see God’s good, sovereign, wise, and loving hand in it? Here’s the key – always bring your theology with you into the circumstances of your life. When you’re struggling with unfulfilled hopes, ask yourself, “Where is God in this circumstance? What is God doing? What is God teaching me through this disappointing or hurtful person, this hard situation?” Take your theology with you every day for each and every circumstance. That’s why Paul said in Philippians 4:9 we are to practice “the things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me.” Apply God’s truth to your life.
And right along with knowing where God is in your life, you want to find your satisfaction not in this world or the circumstances of this world, but in Christ alone. “To live is Christ,” said Paul. Find your satisfaction and joy in glorifying Him. Here’s an Old Testament believer who was content in God.
Psalms 73:25-26, Whom have I in heaven but You? And besides You, I desire nothing on earth. 26 My flesh and my heart may fail, But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
What about you? Have you learned the secret of contentment in Christ? And are you convinced every aspect of your life is under the good providence of God?