Contentment

Philippians 4:11-13 (NIRV)

I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.  I know what it's like not to have what I need. I also know what it's like to have more than I need. I have learned the secret of being content no matter what happens. I am content whether I am well fed or hungry. I am content whether I have more than enough or not enough. I can do everything by the power of Christ. He gives me strength.

The theme of these verses is contentment.  In the context of money management, contentment is accepting what you have and what you can truly afford and not being unhappy over what you do not have and not being foolish to borrow what you cannot afford to repay.  Contentment may be one of the most coveted, yet least possessed characteristics of human behavior.  If a poll were taken of 100 average people and they were asked to be totally honest about whether or not they were content with their lives, how many do you think would respond affirmatively?  Very few!  Recall the famous quote by Henry David Thoreau: “The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation”.  For whatever reason(s), particularly for we Americans, no matter how much we have, it is never enough.  And, indeed, we never seem to appreciate the blessings we do have, e.g. good health, unless we lose it.  We don’t fully appreciate others until we lose them.  We often long for times past yet during those times past we were as discontented as we are now. 

Contentment is not a natural characteristic of human beings.  Note that Paul states that “I have learned to be content…..”.  Contentment involves a process of learning and does not happen overnight.  Learning to be content takes years and even after many years, perhaps a lifetime, many people never learn to be content.  That is so tragic because there may not be a greater blessing in life than a life that is content.

Paul stated that he learned the secret of being content no matter what circumstances existed in and around his life.  What might that secret be?  He answers this question in verse 13—the power of Christ.  He can do everything by the power of Christ.  You can too if you allow Him to work in and through your life.  It all depends on your faith and attitude.     

“When you can think of yesterday without regret and tomorrow without fear, you are near contentment.” -- Unknown

“Contentment is not the fulfillment of what you want, but the realization of how much you already have.” -- Unknown