Philippians 4:10-14 Contentment

But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity. Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Nevertheless you have done well that you shared in my distress. [Philippians 4:10-14 NKJV]

Paul is making reference to the monetary gift that was delivered to him by Epaphroditus (ch 2). He is grateful for the gift, though it was late in coming. 

Paul sets out to comfort the Philippian church regarding their delay in sending a gift. He acknowledged that they cared, but didn't have opportunity. Remember, he had been imprisoned in Caesarea, put on a ship for Rome and shipwrecked before finally arriving in Rome. It would have been hard to get anything to him until he was finally settled in the Roman prison.

He also comforts them by letting them know that, even though their gift was delayed, it wasn't a hardship for him. He was content.

He says he has learned, "both to abound and to suffer need." He is not writing theoretically, but from experience. He has had much, and has had little, and has learned, through it all to be content.

This is exactly opposite what the world tells us. Madison Avenue says, "Do you have a nice, solid, reliable car? You need a new, "sexier" car, with more bells and whistles." Or, "Do you live in a comfortable home? You need a newer, bigger home where you can entertain all of your "friends" who have come to admire your big home."

The world teaches us to never be content. Because if you are content, then you will stop wanting new things.

This doesn't mean that you never get anything new. After all, old cars eventually wear out, and need to be replaced. A family can outgrow a home and need a larger house. But examine you motives. Are you getting what you need? Or are you satisfying your lusts? Just because you desire a thing, that doesn't mean that desire comes from God.

A poor man may be discontent when he see people who have more than he does. A rich man may be discontent because, no matter how much he has, his appetites are never satisfied. A look at the rampant drug and alcohol abuse by Hollywood A-listers should tell you that money and fame do not result in happiness and contentment. But Paul said, "Now godliness with contentment is great gain." [1 Timothy 6:6 NKJV]

Paul was able to be content, whether rich or poor, because, he said, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

This is, possibly, one of the most "taken out of context" scriptures in the Bible. By "all things" Paul is talking about whatever state he finds himself in. He is talking about contentment. He is not promoting a "super-Christian" mentality. "I can do all things" doesn't mean that you can walk through walls or climb the highest mountain. It doesn't mean that you can exercise any gift that God hasn't given you.

I does mean that you can accept who you are and what you have, and be content. Paul offers the same sentiment in other words;

Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God, [2 Corinthians 3:5 NKJV]

We are told;

Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” [Hebrews 13:5 NKJV]

Contentment means we don't need to worry, because God will supply our needs;

“Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ “For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. [Matthew 6:31-33 NKJV]

Lord God, I am grateful for what You have given me. You have proven Yourself to be a faithful provider again and again. I trust that You will always meet my needs.