I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. (13) I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (14) Nevertheless you have done well that you shared in my distress. (19) And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus (20) Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.

The letter to the Philippians was written by the apostle Paul while under arrest in Rome for preaching the gospel. Our verses today were written as instruction to contentment and to the path to peace of mind. The Philippians had delivered a financial gift to Paul while he was in chains in Rome and he wants them to know he greatly loves and appreciates the effort but also wants them to know that he is persuaded that his lot – and ours – is regulated by God’s providence and will. Paul writes that he has “learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need”. This condition of contentment is not something that comes naturally or instantly – it’s a training in faith and a process of sanctification. The point being that if we live for ourselves and our own pleasure we will not know God’s contentment or peace. Paul has found his sufficiency in Christ and he is using himself as a pattern of how to live.

Paul learned to be equally content with little or much materially because he was rich spiritually. He knew that both poverty and wealth bring temptations. The secret of Paul’s independence was His depending on another; his self sufficiency in this present world came from being in union with Christ who is all sufficient. We live in a fallen world and IN this world contentment is unattainable. Contentment is not what we have but what we are. We are to have patient confidence in the sovereignty of God in our lives – to be satisfied with both little and much in life and to learn to live gratefully and in peace with our circumstances. What contentment is not is complacency.

All things work together for those who love God, for those who are called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28). For where our treasure is there will our hearts be also. (Matthew 6:21)