Part I -- Living in Want
These days, contentment is hard to come by. We live in a world of discontent, now more than ever. Few people seem satisfied with where they are or what they have in life. But among the masses are a handful who have discovered a secret. Somehow, they have learned to be content
. . . though they live in want.
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Toward the end of his letter to the Philippians, the Apostle Paul writes to express his thanks for a generous gift the church had sent him. Financial support was no doubt important to Paul, as he wrote from prison (v.12-14). Though a difficult time for Paul, his message to the believers is positive and upbeat:
I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 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 well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength. (Philippians 4:10-13)
What a strange thing to write from a prison--and to a group of financial supporters, no less. The Philippians had given to Paul in recognition of his need, and he responds to them by writing of his contentment! How many of us would be as content as Paul in similar circumstances?
Paul had discovered the "secret of being content." The Greek word for "content" here means literally "self-sufficient." But Paul's self-sufficiency is not the same as we might define it. Indeed, this secret of contentment is difficult to grasp, in part because it is so opposed to our modern-day understanding of self-sufficiency. We tend to define self-sufficiency in terms of how well we are able to satisfy our own wants and needs, apart from others. Paul discovered that the real secret to contentment lies outside of our own resources and abilities--it is in relying on God, who gives us strength (v. 13). When we rely on His strength, we become truly self-sufficient. This is the secret of contentment.
Though children are not always the model of perfect joy and happiness, they have much to teach adults when it comes to contentment. To hear a child laugh or to watch a child play is to understand true contentment. For them, it is enough just to know that they are loved and have someone to care for their needs. Food and diaper changes constitute the major areas of concern for young children. The newspaper that brings bad news and worry is merely something to be torn into little pieces. The clothes they wear are of no importance--even if they're old or out of style. Their physical appearance is of little concern and money is just something to be eaten (along with anything else that might fit into their mouth.)
While we do grow wiser as we age in years, what a shame that we rarely grow more content than we were as a child. When we are young, we live from day to day, completely reliant on others. As we grow older, we gradually become more self-sufficient, but ironically, less content. What we gain in freedom, we lose to worry as the future suddenly becomes our responsibility.
But is it our responsibility? Or have we chosen to shoulder a burden that need not be carried. Listen to Jesus' words from the Sermon on the Mount:
"No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money. "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life ? "And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. (Matthew 6:24-34)
The word translated "money" here (literally, "mammon,") can also be translated "worldly wealth" (cf. Luke 16:9, 11). The point is clear--either we choose to place our trust in the things of this world, or we choose to place our trust in God. Those who choose to trust in God need not worry because God is faithful. As children of God (1 John 3:1), we can trust our Father in Heaven wholeheartedly, just as a young child trusts a parent.
Have you ever noticed how hard it is to worry about the present? To worry is to be apprehensive about what may lie ahead. If we're focused on the present and not the future, there isn't much we can worry about. It's not that we shouldn't plan ahead or think about the future, it's that we shouldn't allow the worries of tomorrow to trouble us before their time. As we rid our lives of needless worry, we free ourselves to be content--one day at a time.
In times of weakness, the secret of contentment is found in relying on Him who is strong. In our times of want we can accept the situations that life brings us with confidence and determination, knowing that, "If God is for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31).
Like Paul, we too can be content in any situation. But it's something we have to learn as it involves a response to circumstances that runs counter to our nature when the clouds of trouble and hard times darken the horizon. The secret of contentment lies in giving up our worries to God and focusing on the present, relying on His strength to see us through. Only then can we enjoy true self-sufficiency--only in our weakness, can we experience His strength.
"Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety upon Him, because He cares for you. (1 Peter 5:6-7, NASB)
That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Corinthians 12:10)
Copyright © 1998 Tim A. Krell. All rights reserved. Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version (NIV), Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Bible Publishers.
Scripture taken from the New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1971, 1973, 1975, and 1977 by the Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.