How I praise the Lord that you are concerned about me again. I know you have always been concerned for me, but you didn’t have the chance to help me. Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For, I can do everything through Christ who gives me strength. Philippians 4:10-13 NLT
Content (adjective) satisfied with what one is or has; not wanting more or anything else.
Most people strive to find contentment with what they have or who they are by working to get more of what they think will make them happy. It often involves more money, more assets or more power or influence over others. Sadly, it may be a deep desire for both. We see examples in the media daily of people who have reached “success” by society’s standard and have a disturbing lack of peace and contentment.
Paul describes a contentment that comes from within. It doesn’t matter where he is or what he has or doesn’t have, he has learned to be satisfied. It seems rare to find this trait in people today. There seems to be an insatiable appetite for more things, more attention and more power in this world. Paul shares with us two keys: 1) that He learned this behavior and 2) that his relationship with Christ empowers with the strength to do all things. I imagine that Paul’s journey allowed him to experience things where he arrived at a deep knowing in his heart and mind that the Lord ordered his steps. And each step of the journey was empowered with strength and the provision to make it to where God was leading. We can be thankful today that this level of contentment is available to each of us today. We can arrive there, at any point along our journey, knowing that our Heavenly Father is faithful to each of His promises.
I’m glad in God, far happier than you would ever guess-happy that you’re again showing such strong concern for me. Not that you ever quit praying and thinking about me. You just had no chance to show it. Actually, I don’t have a sense of needing anything personally. I’ve learned by now to be quite content whatever my circumstances. I’m just as happy with little as with much, with much as with little. I’ve found the recipe for being happy whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty. Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am. I don’t mean that your help didn’t mean a lot to me-it did. It was a beautiful thing that you came alongside me in my troubles. Philippians 4:10-13 (MSG)
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