Learned Contentment
Philippians 4:10-14 NKJV
10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity. 11 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: 12 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.
This is an interesting note from Paul to the church at Philippi. He is rejoicing that once again, they are supporting him, but he is not speaking from a point of need. A few verses down, Paul says that he does not seek the gift, but the fruit that abounds to their account. So it was not the funds that Paul was rejoicing about. He was rejoicing because giving was good for them. Remember, Paul had a great understanding of the spiritual law of sowing and reaping. And this particular church was one of the most active of all churches in sowing into Paul's ministry.
Another reason for Paul's lack of neediness is that, by his own admission, he had learned in whatever state he was in to be content. The Amplified Bible expands this verse and gives us a clearer explanation of what Paul was saying. "Not that I speak from [any personal] need, for I have learned to be content [and self-sufficient through Christ, satisfied to the point where I am not disturbed or uneasy] regardless of my circumstances." The Wuest translation states that "I have come to learn, in the circumstances in which I am placed, to be independent of these and self-sufficient." I like the idea of being independent of circumstances.
Paul goes on to explain that he has learned through experience to be abased, or not have much at all, and to abound. To live in lack and abundance. To be full and hungry, to prosper and suffer need. Interesting choice of phraseology, to suffer need. There can be times when being in need involves a level of suffering. Paul has experienced the highs and lows of carrying out his mission of furthering the gospel. He has seen good times and hard times, and his next statement in verse fourteen, taken in context, makes more sense. "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." This is an oft-quoted verse, especially in the athletic world. And yet in the context of what Paul was saying to the Philippian church, the verse takes on a whole different meaning. Paul could handle the hard times as well as the good times because of Christ, who strengthens him. It sounds as if Paul did not get too high with the good times or too low with the times of lack because his strength was in Christ, not in his external circumstances.
Paul did tell the church they did well because they shared in his distress. The word for distress meant pressure from evil and affliction. Paul was going through a difficult time but not upset and shaken by the problems. The Philippian church was a blessing to him, but Paul was going to be content regardless.
Application
To be independent of circumstances is a rock steady place to live. The highs and lows even out, and life becomes one of being content. Paul learned this, and we can also, provided we get our strength from our relationship with the Lord. The same Lord who strengthened Paul can enable us as well.
Prayer
Lord, I thank You that I can draw my strength from You, not what I am going through. Thank You that I am learning to be content regardless of my circumstances.