Philippians: A Life in ChristSampel

What do you need to be content?

As Paul signs off his letter to the Philippians, he stresses that real contentment isn’t anything to do with how much you have or how little.

“I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:12-13)

Now the Philippians seem to get this, that real contentment can only be found in Christ. You and I can also have this deep and lasting contentment, but it can only be found in Christ.

We also learn something profound about contentment from the Psalms in the Old Testament.

This is what King David wrote: “I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me. But I have calmed and quieted myself, I am like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child I am content.” (Psalm 131:1-2)

Now, a weaned child is content simply being in his mother’s arms. And it’s the same with Paul. He’s no longer anxious or fretful when things don’t go the way he wants or expects. He’s content in any and every situation, because it’s enough just to be in the arms of Christ.

Paul also says in his letter to Timothy [the young evangelist who helped him start the church in Philippi]: “Godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we take nothing out of it.” (1 Timothy 6:6-7)

Are you living for something that you can’t take with you? How might that affect your contentment? Ask God to open your heart so that you can see how much more desirable Christ is than anything else.