Do you want to learn how to be content with your life? Is it even possible to be content in any situation in life? Today it seems impossible to live content unless you lock yourself away in a convent or monostery. I must confess that I struggle to live content with some situations.
Is Contentment Important In The Christian Life?
In Philippians the Apostle Paul is thanking the church in Philippi over their concern for his health. And he stresses something he has learned in life – contentment – “I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty, I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether I am well-fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want, I can do everything through him who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:11-13 NIV).
Later in his ministry of writing Paul shares with Timothy these words of encouragement, “godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.” (1 Timothy 6:6-8)
There is not a week that goes by that I don’t see those who live on the streets – many who carry everything they own in a shopping cart. They seem very content or happy with living alone or with very little.
Often within our churches there are those people who seem to be happy or content—
• Some are happy or content with church just the way it is – they might like a small church where they feel at home or a large one where they can blend in with the crowd.
• Some seem content with their life just the way it is – they see no need to change or maybe no hope of change.
Yet I think that none of the above examples fit the thought or idea of contentment that Paul is teaching!
Godly Contentment Is Important In The Christian Walk
So the question before us is what does Paul mean when he says that “I have learned to be content in any circumstances” AND “godliness with contentment is great gain”.
Does it mean that we have to learn to be content by never seeking anything more in our life; accepting whatever situation or circumstances we find ourselves? Does it mean we should be happy with nothing?
The problem is that Paul talks of contentment in the same sentence as he does doing everything through Christ who gives him strength. So the ultimate question we want to answer is what is Paul talking about here? What is godly contentment?
I found three key elements in scripture that can help us understand and apply godly contentment in our life.
FIRST – GODLY CONTENTMENT IS TRUSTING GOD WITH ALL YOUR NEEDS.
We can learn more by looking at what Paul shared with the Philippians before he testifies of being content, he wrote- “Rejoice in the Lord always, I will say it again: Rejoice! Let you gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:47).
Paul emphasizes two points “Do not be anxious” (Trusting God) and “Rejoicing always” – under all kinds of circumstances.
You might say, what do I have to rejoice about; my house is falling apart, my job is the pits and my health is fading fast. Rejoice anyways, in that situation.
All these might be important but living in the spirit of joy where you are being able to always rejoice – keeps your focus in the important things in life.
• Your home may not be the best but live thankful that you have a place to rest you head at night. Rejoice in that.
• Your job may be the pits but live thankful that you have a job. Rejoice in that.
• Your health may be fading but praise God for the strength He has provided for you. Rejoice in that.
Keep this thought always in the back of your mind –“Rejoice in the Lord always”
Why should we rejoice – because we need to remember that God has provided great blessings through Christ. Peter reinforces this point when he wrote to the church that was suffering because of their faith, “rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.” (1 Peter 4:13-14)
• The world tries to work up joy through many ways – through comedies, through happy hours but the joy Paul speaks of here is a joy in the Lord.
• The Devil tries to get us to believe that there is no joy in Christianity—The devil loves to see us down in the dumps, like the old childrens song— “Down in the dumps I’ll never go; that’s where the Devil keeps me low”
Before we ask God for something else, let’s pray that He’ll give us joy in our lives.
Trusting God is staying close to God for he is able to bring peace—
Fenelon one of the mystics from the Middle Ages wrote—“Tell God all that is in your heart, as one unloads one’s heart, its pleasures and its pains, to a dear friend. Tell him your troubles, that He may comfort you; tell Him your joys, that He may sober them; tell him your longings, that He may purify them; tell Him your dislikes, that he may help you to conquer them, talk to Him of your temptations, that He may shield you from them, show Him the wounds of your heart, that He may heal them; lay bare your indifference to god, your depraved tastes for evil, your instability. Tell Him how self-love makes you unjust to others, how vanity tempts you to be insincere, how pride disguises you to yourself as to others. If you thus pour out all your weakness, needs, troubles, there will be no lack of what to say.”
Godly contentment is trusting God. It brings peace that passes all understanding.
SECOND – GODLY CONTENTMENT IS SEEKING THE IMPORTANT THINGS IN LIFE.
Lets look at Philippians 4:8-9 – “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me – put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.”
If a Christian spends his time with the filth of the questionable things of this world, there will be no power in his life.
We need a place to go where we can clean up our minds – a sanctuary where we can refocus on the important things in life.
• We need to look for those things that are true, noble, and right.
• We need to focus on what is pure, lovely, or admirable.
• “If anything is excellent or praiseworthy” we need to think about such things.
We need to put into practice that which we see in the godly people around us – follow their example.
If you struggle with finding things that are noble, true, right, pure, lovely, or admirable – look to Christ for all of these characteristics are found in Christ.
Godly contentment is trusting God, and, it is seeking the important things in life, they both bring the peace of God that passes all understanding.
FINALLY – GODLY CONTENTMENT IS SEEKING STRENGTH THROUGH CHRIST.
Paul is a great example of the gracious Christian.
The church at Philippi had lost touch with Paul. For two years after he had been arrested and imprisoned they did not know where he had been taken. Finally, after two years they received word that Paul was in prison in Rome. The first thing they did was send a gift to him to help him through troubling times. Paul knowing that they did not have the opportunity up until now rejoices with them – He praises God for their offering and their continued work in the church.
Godly contentment has nothing to do with circumstances—
Paul learned that whether he had plenty or little, whether he was in prison or out of prison he was content.
Have you ever found yourself surrounded by troubles thinking that you were in the wrong place, perhaps this was not where God wanted you? It is easy to think that when things are going right, that, you’re being blessed—But how about when things are going wrong; when things seem to be falling apart?
Look at the life of Paul – He was active in doing the will of God, doing right. Yet somewhere along the road he was put into prison. He could have been praying Lord get me out of here. Instead, he became a witness to the prisoners, the guards. He had always wanted to go to Rome and through his imprisonment God brought him there and made a way that he could speak to the leaders of Rome. Many in Caesar’s household found Christ through Paul’s witness. (Philippians 4:22)
Paul learned the secret of depending on Christ in whatever circumstance he found himself in!
Godly contentment is trusting God, it is seeking the important things in life, and trusting in Christ for strength. These all bring the peace of God that passes all understanding.
If we are to ever learn how to be content with our life we need to pray continually looking for God’s help.
Lord, help us to live trusting you in all circumstances. Help us, through your word, to seek what is really important to our well-being. And Lord help us to lean on you for strength each day of our life keeping us focused on reaching the lost with the hope that is in Christ.
I hope that somehow or some way what is written here helps you to learn how to be content with your life. I know it is not easy because there are so many choices today, so many options to choose from but it is God’s will that we learn to be content in any situation we find ourselves.
If you have any thoughts to add to this discussion please send me a message. If you have any questions feel free to contact me here at walkinghope.com and I will get back to you as soon as possible.
God bless–
Ray
