“I have learned…
In whatever situation I am to be content” (Phil. 4:10)
Don´t you wish you could say these words with the same confidence that the Apostle Paul? A man who experienced hardship, persecution, and imprisonment has learned to be content in whatever state.
This sounds too good to be true. Don’t you think?
I do wish I could live my life with gratitude at all times. I wish I could say I have finally learned to choose contentment over everything else. Instead, I am still tempted to compare myself to others, rely on earthly gratification, or complain about my current season.
Does this resonate with you at all? If yes, the Apostle Paul has good news for sinners like us trapped in a cycle of discontent.
Paul doesn´t just write about how well he is doing at being content leaving the Philippians to figure it out for themselves. Instead, he gives the secret to Biblical contentment right there:
“I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me”(Phil. 4:12-13).
In other words, the only one capable of creating contentment within our hearts is Jesus Christ.
Key notes
- Where the Law demands perfect obedience (which includes perfect contentment in God), the good news of the Gospel grants me forgiveness, takes all the shame and guilt, and provides perfect contentment through Christ.
- When your faith is in the truth of Jesus Christ and His salvation for you, neither abundance nor need dictates your contentment. Instead, faith on the cross allows you to pronounce these words: “The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” (Job 1:21).
I believe this… Why then do I still struggle to be content in Christ?
The surprise element in this teaching is that Jesus, through Paul, does not meet our human expectations. Biblical contentment looks nothing like our modern understanding of it.
Here is what contentment in Christ IS NOT:
- A result of human effort.
- A feeling of happiness when you finally get everything you wish for.
- About having abundance at all times.
- What you strive for in times of need.
- Worldly recognition.
- Shame or guilt.
Instead, Scripture reminds us that the secret to this divine fruit is faith in something outside ourselves. Jesus Christ alone.
Now, we must not forget that our very nature rejects God and seeks to fulfill the desires of the human heart through temporal things of this world. This is the battle of every Christian. (See “I believe; help my unbelief!” – Faith in uncertain times)
I know I am guilty of measuring my level of contentment based on what I have and how much I have accomplished.
Discovering the secret myself
I recall a season when I could say I had everything. One stable job, loving family and friends, enough money in my bank account, strength and health, a nice car, a strong ministry, and constant recognition from people.
One day, the company I worked for closed its doors and I lost my job, and with it, my financial stability.
Life led me to move to a different town, give up my nice car, and say goodbye to my friends and my local church. No more being in the spotlight and no more recognition.
There and then I realized I never really was satisfied in Christ. These earthly possessions gave me a false sense of contentment because the moment they were taken away from me, I felt apart.
However, the exposure of my sinful nature served one powerful purpose. Where the Law demands perfect obedience (which includes perfect contentment in God), the good news of the Gospel grants me forgiveness, takes all the shame and guilt, and provides perfect contentment through Christ.
What I considered was my lowest point as a Christian, turned out to be God´s greatest work of grace for me. My own efforts left me with only an illusion of an outwardly successful life.
In Christ, however, I was first killed and forced to surrender. I finally confessed: “Ok God, you brought me to the end of my rope. You win. I am unable to follow you and unable to be content where I am. I am absolutely hopeless. Please be merciful to me”.
To my surprise, the Gospel doesn´t give me what I deserve which is death. Instead, the Creator of the universe says “You know what? Let me send my only Son to die on your behalf” And so Jesus Christ takes my discontent and all the rest of my sins and puts them on Him. He now becomes the sinner and clothes me in righteousness.
In Jesus Christ, we are not promised nice cars, a fortune, or recognition from people but something far greater. In Him, we have forgiveness, salvation, and eternal life. Things that cannot be attained by human effort.
When your faith is in the truth of Jesus Christ and His salvation for you, neither abundance nor need dictates your contentment. Instead, faith on the cross allows you to pronounce these words: “The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” (Job 1:21).
One last lesson from a woman named Martha
Now that you have been reminded of the freedom found in the Gospel, let me leave you with the story of another person in the Bible who learned a thing or two about being content in Christ.
The Gospel of Luke narrates the time when Jesus visited a village and a woman named Martha welcomed Him. Martha had a sister called Mary. Scripture tells us that as soon as Jesus entered the house, Mary sat at the feet of the Lord and listened to his teaching (10:39). Meanwhile, Martha was distracted doing much serving (10:40).
Imagine having Jesus Himself at your house and while you are rushing to have everything perfect for Him your sister is sitting and watching.
Oh, I know I would get upset right away! So, what is the next thing you do?
Exactly, you tell Jesus!
Martha goes to Jesus and says: “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me” (10:40). And just when you think your sister is in deep trouble Jesus says:
“Martha, Martha you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her” (10:41-42).
Martha represents the woman who strives to live for Christ but is suddenly brought to her knees. How often do we get distracted and anxious chasing after things we believe will make us truly content?
I know I have done this many times.
Jesus isn´t telling us to not serve others or to not wish for things like a house, a new car, a college degree or a stable job. All these are good things that He uses to bless us while we are on earth. However, none of that gives the fulfillment we so desperately search for. We may be momentarily content but never satisfied.
Mary, by faith, chose the good portion. She sat still at the Lord´s feet and listened. Many things can be taken away from you but one thing will always remain: “By grace you have been saved, through faith” (Eph. 2:8).
Jesus´s work on the cross clothes you with righteousness and frees you from all condemnation.
In Christ you can confidently say:
“I have learned…
In whatever situation I am to be content….
And I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”
My Prayer for You
“Dear Father, I pray for the woman struggling to be content in you. I pray for the woman who cannot rejoice in her current season of life and for the one who is trusting in her own efforts. Remind her that she is seen and forgiven through your Son Jesus Christ. I believe you have a purpose in her life and even the things we cannot understand you use them for our good. Let her rest in the grace and love found in Christ alone. In your name I pray. Amen.”
For Reflection
Read Matthew 6:31-33
Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
- What earthly needs do you tend to worry about most, and how can you surrender those concerns to God while pursuing His kingdom?
- How does Paul’s teaching about contentment changes the way you approach your daily worries and desires?
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