Are You Content?

The Bible talks a lot about contentment which tells me that it is important, necessary, and something that God wants us to practice, apply, and attain. Apostle Paul in Philippians 4:11-13 talks about contentment and how he learned to be content. Paul did not fully enjoy the earthly comforts and pleasures of life, yet he was content because Paul knew that to live is Christ and to die is gain. His life was filled with unceasing challenges, sufferings, and struggles that he endured for the sake of preaching, spreading, and furthering the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ even during his imprisonments. But through it out, Paul says that he learned how to be content no matter the circumstances, situations, challenges, struggles, or problems that he faced. And He tells us in Philippians that the secret to contentment is relationship with Christ! We can do nothing apart from Jesus Christ! Our sufficiency is found in His strength, not ours. Through Christ’s strength, we can be content in every circumstance and season of life.

Neither plenty nor poverty affected Paul’s desire and ability to rejoice in the Lord and be thankful in every circumstance of life because He knew Christ. He had a personal, intimate, and genuine relationship with Him. And Paul knew that God’s grace, goodness, and strength gave him contentment—satisfaction, fulfillment, joy, humility, gratitude, confidence, happiness, comfort, and peace. You, too, can be content amid the situations and circumstances that you are facing in life through knowing who God is, trusting in Him, and operating from the place of His strength. You can be content with who you are, where you are, and what you have. You can do all things through Christ Jesus who gives you the grace and strength to be content in all things and every aspect of your life. Knowledge of God and relationship with Him, faith and trust in God, and abiding in His strength like Paul did is the secret to true contentment.

11. Not that I speak from [any personal] need, for I have learned to be content [and self-sufficient through Christ, satisfied to the point where I am not disturbed or uneasy] regardless of my circumstances.

12. I know how to get along and live humbly [in difficult times], and I also know how to enjoy abundance and live in prosperity. In any and every circumstance I have learned the secret [of facing life], whether well-fed or going hungry, whether having an abundance or being in need.

13. I can do all things [which He has called me to do] through Him who strengthens and empowers me [to fulfill His purpose—I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency; I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses me with inner strength and confident peace.]

Philippians 4:11-13

Amplified Bible

QUESTIONS:

(1). How do you define contentment? What is contentment to you?

(2). How can you attain and apply the biblical precepts, principles, and practices of contentment to your life?

(3). What did you learn from Paul’s message about contentment in Philippians 4:11-13?