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 imprisoned in Rome facing possible execution over false charges – he tells us how to find contentment. It is not self sufficiency, not complacency but an inner sense of rest or peace that comes from being right with God and knowing He is in control. It is a steady assurance that God is for us and will not forsake us. Contentment can be an elusive pursuit reflected in consumer debt, high rate of mobility, seeking a better job, life style, the high divorce rate where the same problems reoccur – we never quite get there. Paul learned to be content in all conditions – it didn’t come naturally but is a process. The key to understanding and learning everything is under God’s sovereignty. Our attitude in trials and deliberate submission to sovereignty is crucial. We are not in desperate situations by chance. A small crisis or a major life threatening crisis calls for us to submit to and trust God and contentment will come from Him.

Our text today concerns freedom from anxiety and contentment in our soul. This includes growing in personal holiness; the all sufficient indwelling Christ was Paul’s source of strength and contentment. The believer needs to learn not only how to get along in times of need but also how to live in abundance – we need a trusting and thankful heart. All things for Paul means he can do everything God has called him to do and God will give him power to do it. There is a balance between Gods part and our part – taking too much emphasis on human responsibility or conversely, being passive. Vital personal union with Christ provides for the believers every need to become an emotionally stable person. He is the believers life and the believer must follow Him as their pattern and look to Him as their goal.

The biblical meaning of contentment is a state of satisfaction anchored to our confidence in God and resulting in a joyful celebration of life. Contentment is not natural, not “just doing” something to be content. We need a new perspective, a new attitude, a deepened faith, not anchored to the circumstances of life. We brought nothing into this world and take nothing out of it. It’s about living with satisfaction one day after another. Don’t let our appetites get us to compromise our principles to get what we think will make us happy or dictate our values. Discontentment inevitably leads us away from God.