THE SECRET OF CONTENTMENT:
Phil 4:10-13; Hab 3:17-18.
Introduction:
Phil 4:10-13; Hab 3:17-18.
Introduction:
We are striving for contentment in this world of discontentment, yet we bitterly fail in our hunt because we apply wrong methods and look for it in the wrong places. That naturally results in weak-spiritual life, the families cry out in pain and the country is in agony. It is a requirement therefore to look for the true contentment in the place where it can be found. So this morning we are going to meditate on the secret of contentment.
What is contentment?
English Dictionaries define the word contentment as the state of being happy and satisfied. The very word "contentment" in Greek (‘autarkeia’) means to be independent or self-sufficient. People use this word to convey the fact that they don't need anything beside themselves to be happy. They don't need material things to be satisfied in life. Their happiness is independent of things. At the same time some others may be content or happy with what they already have. But Contentment is not the same as happiness. When Paul talks about contentment, he is not talking about happiness. Happiness is dependent on circumstances. Good things happen and we're happy; bad things happen and we're unhappy. Happiness or pleasure is entirely dependent on circumstances and it is temporary, whereas contentment is independent of circumstances. Paul says that he could be content, when he was hungry or well fed, rich or poor. Contentment is something that has its source in our relationship with God, and therefore it can be permanent. It is also a satisfaction with God's sufficient provision.
English Dictionaries define the word contentment as the state of being happy and satisfied. The very word "contentment" in Greek (‘autarkeia’) means to be independent or self-sufficient. People use this word to convey the fact that they don't need anything beside themselves to be happy. They don't need material things to be satisfied in life. Their happiness is independent of things. At the same time some others may be content or happy with what they already have. But Contentment is not the same as happiness. When Paul talks about contentment, he is not talking about happiness. Happiness is dependent on circumstances. Good things happen and we're happy; bad things happen and we're unhappy. Happiness or pleasure is entirely dependent on circumstances and it is temporary, whereas contentment is independent of circumstances. Paul says that he could be content, when he was hungry or well fed, rich or poor. Contentment is something that has its source in our relationship with God, and therefore it can be permanent. It is also a satisfaction with God's sufficient provision.
Who are content?
Paul was saying that his state of mind depended on his fellowship with Christ, rather than on circumstances. There are, of course, circumstances in which no one could be ‘content’, e.g. when a person is being tortured, or has been mentally confused by drugs, or is suffering physical pain. But what Paul has said is no less true and no less important. How was it that Paul could be so ‘contented’? He was writing the letter to the Philippians from prison. (Philippians is one of prison’s epistles). He was content even in prison. Because he knew that his own strength was not enough. He needed the strength which comes from being in Christ. He could overcome hardship, he was hopeful, and was confident because he was in the Lord Jesus Christ. And also he said that he could be content in whatever state he was, when things were going badly and when things were going well and he said that he had discovered how to keep in fellowship with Christ in either situation.
And the other one is found in the book of Habakkuk, the prophet said that he always rejoiced in God, in different circumstances- like natural disaster, enemy action, crops fails, cattle are gone and famine comes, the secret is to be found in the focus of his faith; its object is the Lord. That means he is always content in the Lord. He clearly knows his Lord and he has faith in God. There are many others who had contentment in God and with God. In our context, today we faced many problems in our daily life, we are then faced with the same hardship like Paul and Habakkuk, and so what is your /our response?
Paul was saying that his state of mind depended on his fellowship with Christ, rather than on circumstances. There are, of course, circumstances in which no one could be ‘content’, e.g. when a person is being tortured, or has been mentally confused by drugs, or is suffering physical pain. But what Paul has said is no less true and no less important. How was it that Paul could be so ‘contented’? He was writing the letter to the Philippians from prison. (Philippians is one of prison’s epistles). He was content even in prison. Because he knew that his own strength was not enough. He needed the strength which comes from being in Christ. He could overcome hardship, he was hopeful, and was confident because he was in the Lord Jesus Christ. And also he said that he could be content in whatever state he was, when things were going badly and when things were going well and he said that he had discovered how to keep in fellowship with Christ in either situation.
And the other one is found in the book of Habakkuk, the prophet said that he always rejoiced in God, in different circumstances- like natural disaster, enemy action, crops fails, cattle are gone and famine comes, the secret is to be found in the focus of his faith; its object is the Lord. That means he is always content in the Lord. He clearly knows his Lord and he has faith in God. There are many others who had contentment in God and with God. In our context, today we faced many problems in our daily life, we are then faced with the same hardship like Paul and Habakkuk, and so what is your /our response?
Are you / we content?
Now that we know the meaning of contentment, those who are content and why, let us examine ourselves, we who claim ourselves to be Christian, are we really content? Are we satisfied with that what we have or who we are? Aren’t we envying others? Mautam famine has been looming large and different church denominations and the state governments are doing relief works, yet many are not satisfied with what they get. Our competition now becomes materialism which automatically results in corruption. Due to our wrong value system caused by discontentment, our society is misguided. This, ultimately, brings about agony in all of us. Even in a place like ATC, aren’t we running after worldly possessions too much? But contentment will never be found in material things or wealth, we need something more than that, then how can we be content?
Now that we know the meaning of contentment, those who are content and why, let us examine ourselves, we who claim ourselves to be Christian, are we really content? Are we satisfied with that what we have or who we are? Aren’t we envying others? Mautam famine has been looming large and different church denominations and the state governments are doing relief works, yet many are not satisfied with what they get. Our competition now becomes materialism which automatically results in corruption. Due to our wrong value system caused by discontentment, our society is misguided. This, ultimately, brings about agony in all of us. Even in a place like ATC, aren’t we running after worldly possessions too much? But contentment will never be found in material things or wealth, we need something more than that, then how can we be content?
The secret of contentment:
There is no secret that could be more important for us than the secret of contentment. The Apostle Paul speaks about being content in every situation and he tells us the secret of contentment in Philippians 4:10-13. In Verse 11 he says, "I have learned to be content." Paul here is using one of the great words of non-Christian ethics: ‘autarkas’ which means to be entirely self-sufficient. In Stoic thinking, it meant a state of mind in which a person was absolutely independent of all things and all people, and they proposed to reach this by certain pathways in life and that is by first eliminating all desires. The Stoics knew that and so what they said was contentment didn't consist in possessing much, but in wanting little, and they said that, "If you want to make a person happy, don't add to someone's possessions, but take away their desires." That was part of their thinking. But Paul uses it differently because Paul does not mean the elimination of all emotions and desires, because Paul really cared for other people. Paul is deeply invested in the lives of the people and prays for them and his joy wells up as he thinks about them. So Paul is not talking about not caring when he uses this word for contentment. But there is a point where his meaning intersects with that of the Stoics; because what Paul is talking about is that there is a place in life where we can live independently of our circumstances, that there can be a peace, a stability in us, a sense of contentment and joy that's not related to all the things that are carrying us up and down in life. In verse twelve, he appeals the readers to learn his secret not of self-sufficiency but Christ-sufficiency. Paul was content in every circumstance because in every circumstance he knew Christ’s power. Paul says he knew both abundance and need. There is a worldly mindset that says, when we have abundance we will be content and when we have need we are discontent. This is not the way it works. True contentment goes beyond our circumstances. Contentment is not a human achievement but a divine gift. Let’s look at a few points of the secret of contentment:
There is no secret that could be more important for us than the secret of contentment. The Apostle Paul speaks about being content in every situation and he tells us the secret of contentment in Philippians 4:10-13. In Verse 11 he says, "I have learned to be content." Paul here is using one of the great words of non-Christian ethics: ‘autarkas’ which means to be entirely self-sufficient. In Stoic thinking, it meant a state of mind in which a person was absolutely independent of all things and all people, and they proposed to reach this by certain pathways in life and that is by first eliminating all desires. The Stoics knew that and so what they said was contentment didn't consist in possessing much, but in wanting little, and they said that, "If you want to make a person happy, don't add to someone's possessions, but take away their desires." That was part of their thinking. But Paul uses it differently because Paul does not mean the elimination of all emotions and desires, because Paul really cared for other people. Paul is deeply invested in the lives of the people and prays for them and his joy wells up as he thinks about them. So Paul is not talking about not caring when he uses this word for contentment. But there is a point where his meaning intersects with that of the Stoics; because what Paul is talking about is that there is a place in life where we can live independently of our circumstances, that there can be a peace, a stability in us, a sense of contentment and joy that's not related to all the things that are carrying us up and down in life. In verse twelve, he appeals the readers to learn his secret not of self-sufficiency but Christ-sufficiency. Paul was content in every circumstance because in every circumstance he knew Christ’s power. Paul says he knew both abundance and need. There is a worldly mindset that says, when we have abundance we will be content and when we have need we are discontent. This is not the way it works. True contentment goes beyond our circumstances. Contentment is not a human achievement but a divine gift. Let’s look at a few points of the secret of contentment:
1. Contentment is a learned state
The Apostle Paul says that he had to learn contentment. If he had to learn it, how much more do us. Contentment is not therefore something that comes naturally; rather it is something we need to learn step by step. It is the fruit of a relationship with the Lord. Yes, but, we might say, I won't be content if I don't get that job, or that promotion, or that pay raise. That brings me to the second thing that the Scriptures teach about contentment.
The Apostle Paul says that he had to learn contentment. If he had to learn it, how much more do us. Contentment is not therefore something that comes naturally; rather it is something we need to learn step by step. It is the fruit of a relationship with the Lord. Yes, but, we might say, I won't be content if I don't get that job, or that promotion, or that pay raise. That brings me to the second thing that the Scriptures teach about contentment.
2. Contentment is not found in possessions or circumstances
Here is an amazing truth. The Bible is saying that whether we have enough money or not, whether we have abundance or are in very strained circumstances, we can still have contentment because the secret of contentment is not in what we have or don't have. It does not come from the possessions we have. It is not based on the job we have, the income we make, the car we drive, or the home we live in. Contentment isn't found in money, pleasure, position, fame, or any other circumstance. But rather in Christ.
Here is an amazing truth. The Bible is saying that whether we have enough money or not, whether we have abundance or are in very strained circumstances, we can still have contentment because the secret of contentment is not in what we have or don't have. It does not come from the possessions we have. It is not based on the job we have, the income we make, the car we drive, or the home we live in. Contentment isn't found in money, pleasure, position, fame, or any other circumstance. But rather in Christ.
3. Give thanks in all circumstances
In 1Thes. 5:18 we see “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” Give thanks for the material things we have as well as the spiritual blessings we received. Even when we are in need, there are still things that we can be thankful for. There is a statement: "Contentment is not the fulfillment of what we want, but the realization of how much we already have."
4. Contentment has its source in the person of Jesus Christ
Contentment comes from our relationship with Jesus Christ. In Philippians (3:8) Paul says, "I regard everything as loss because of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord." Christ is the key. And Jesus himself said (John 15:5) "I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit; because apart from me you can do nothing." Since contentment comes from the Lord, we are to go to the Lord whatever the circumstances may be to strengthen us. For example, when times are good we need to seek the Lord and find our contentment in him so that we don't become self-satisfied and overly arrogant thinking that we ourselves have accomplished something with our own strength. Contentment flows from the Lord Jesus Christ. If God is the center, the focus, and the reason for our life, then, we will experience what the apostle Paul said, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me"
In 1Thes. 5:18 we see “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” Give thanks for the material things we have as well as the spiritual blessings we received. Even when we are in need, there are still things that we can be thankful for. There is a statement: "Contentment is not the fulfillment of what we want, but the realization of how much we already have."
4. Contentment has its source in the person of Jesus Christ
Contentment comes from our relationship with Jesus Christ. In Philippians (3:8) Paul says, "I regard everything as loss because of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord." Christ is the key. And Jesus himself said (John 15:5) "I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit; because apart from me you can do nothing." Since contentment comes from the Lord, we are to go to the Lord whatever the circumstances may be to strengthen us. For example, when times are good we need to seek the Lord and find our contentment in him so that we don't become self-satisfied and overly arrogant thinking that we ourselves have accomplished something with our own strength. Contentment flows from the Lord Jesus Christ. If God is the center, the focus, and the reason for our life, then, we will experience what the apostle Paul said, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me"
CONCLUSION:
Dear brothers and sisters, there is a secret of contentment in Jesus Christ, if we really want to have it, let us continue to submit our life to him with more faithfulness and courage. Let us remember, "It is God who is at work in us, to will and to act according to God’s good purpose." That is why we can do all things through Christ who gives us our strength. He is the source of the strength; he is the source of the contentment.
Dear brothers and sisters, there is a secret of contentment in Jesus Christ, if we really want to have it, let us continue to submit our life to him with more faithfulness and courage. Let us remember, "It is God who is at work in us, to will and to act according to God’s good purpose." That is why we can do all things through Christ who gives us our strength. He is the source of the strength; he is the source of the contentment.
