Learning To Be Content

-December 27, 2023-

Good morning beloved, happy Wednesday,

“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 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.”

(Philippians 4:11-12).

Paul wrote to the Philippians while in prison; if he could be content there, he could be content anywhere. The word contentment is defined as, “Happiness and satisfaction, often because you have everything you need.” The Lord doesn’t always give us what we want, but always gives us what we need.

Paul writing to Timothy instructed him, “Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content” (1 Timothy 6:6-8). Being content isn’t easy, in fact, it nearly impossible without Christ. Twice Paul used the word “learned” in our text for today. We aren’t born content, we must learn to be content. I am still learning this lesson. The world bombards us with advertisements on the latest, greatest things. In 1976, the typical grocery store stocked some 9,000 items, now it more than 30,000!

To be victoriously content in Christ, we must be thankful with what we have, give to others in need, and have few wants. Hebrews 13:5 says, “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.’” How content are you? The Bible is our “content-meter.” Paul learned to be content with much or with little. Benjamin Franklin once said, “Content makes poor men rich; discontent makes rich men poor.”

Have a blessed day being content with what you have and thankful for things both great and small. Stay safe and healthy.

When we have Jesus we have all we need to be happy; without Him nothing we have is ever enough,

Dean