“Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content…” (Philippians 4:11).
Our text is saying that we must gratefully accept what God provides and avoid a life of covetousness. We must always remember that God owns everything and we are only stewards commanded to use all things for God’s glory. One way we can avoid covetousness is by cultivating a thankful heart. This is not easy, but it is attainable by God’s grace, true faith, and the working of the Holy Spirit and Scripture. The Apostle Paul said he learned to be content. How? Philippians 4:4: “Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say rejoice!” Discontentment is overcome by a life of rejoicing. You see, when you know what you really deserve because of your sins (Hell), yet because of the grace of God you receive eternal life then you can be a rejoicing person.
We must also recognize that God is sovereign over every event in life; nothing happens by chance! “In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will…” (Ephesians 1:11). God has a purpose for everything He sends into our life, even the unpleasant things. The Apostle Paul was able to learn to be content when he had little and when he had plenty because he knew both conditions were the providential working of God. Have you had unpleasant things happen in your life? Learn to be content by meditating upon our sovereign God who loves every believer and does ALL things for their eternal good! “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28).
If contentment is going to be a reality in our life then we must learn to trust the Lord in every situation, and the only way we will come to trust the Lord is to know His Word. How much time do you spend in Scripture? Are you daily searching God’s Word? Let me ask you this question: Are you a person who complains about everything in your life? If so, then you’re not spending enough time in God’s Word. We ought to be like the psalmist who declared, “My eyes fail from searching Your word…” (Psalm 119:82). You see, you can’t spend time with the Lord in His Word and be a person who is discontent. Matthew 11:29: “Learn of me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Rest for the soul is found through knowing Christ.
We also read in Philippians 4:6-7: “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” God grants us peace in our soul when we come to Him in prayer. The hymn writer wrote: “Oh what peace we often forfeit, oh what needless shame we bear all because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.” If you’re an anxious person then you’re not spending appropriate time with God in prayer, and an anxious, worried mind breeds a discontented life.
If we will glorify the Lord through a life of contentment then we must be a people who rejoice in the Lord in every situation, know the Word of God, meditate on Christ’s work, and faithfully come before the Lord in thankful prayer. When we are diligent to do these things then we will learn, by God’s grace, to be content in every situation whether hungry or full, sick or healthy, rich or poor because we know the Lord is the Giver and Sustainer of all. Have you learned to be content? Take time today to examine your heart in this matter of contentment by seeking God in His Word.