Contentment

Contentment is coming to a place in my life where I desire nothing, as opposed to coming to a place where I have everything. This pretty much sums up the biblical truth on this subject. This came to mind as I reflected on Paul’s statement in Philippians where he said, “Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need” (Philippians 4:11-12). Do you ever ponder such thoughts? I met with a missionary who has penetrated, by the grace of God, the wilds of Siberia. He and his wife live in 70° below zero temperatures for 6 months. The temperature then soars to over 100° in the summer. They eat all their food raw, including horsemeat, moose, and fish. The living conditions are the worst in the world. When he returns to the States his heart sinks. He sees a contentment level that is also below zero. The people he ministers to are always joyful and happy yet have nothing. We are cranky and angry yet have everything.

There is a key word in Paul’s statement about contentment. He said that he learned how to be content. This is a process. On a scale from 1 to 10 where are you with respect to being content. If you are at a 5, what would it take to make it a 10? If your answer is a new car or house, I can assure you that wont’ do it. This is a matter of inner peace and satisfaction in Christ. In verse 13 Paul tells us that he can do all things through Christ that strengthens him. Let’s learn to rejoice in whatever state we are in. That's the way I see things.