The Secret of Contentment

​Philippians 4:12-13 ~ “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.”
 
There is an initiation necessary for all who walk with Christ. Many who live in the prosperity of our days know little of this condition, but those who walk in the difficulties of the time are all too familiar with the dreaded reality of being “brought low.” Are you one who believes that only the prosperous are blessed of God and those who go through the hardships of life are somehow in a state of discipline or even judgment from the LORD? There are times that God does prosper an individual or a people for His glory and purpose, and times when He humbles others for the same reason. But when days like that happen to you, how do you face it?
 
In our text today, the Apostle Paul addressed his own personal experience with the hardships and abundances that occurred in his life. He begins simply stating that he knew “how to be brought low, and how to abound.” That is to say, the apostle was very familiar with the reality of this situation. For as a man of influence before his salvation, he was numbered among the powerful elites of the Jewish people. He explains his earlier situation in Philippians 3:4-5, “If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews.” He was given authority by the Jewish leaders and acted upon that authority without reservation. He was powerful, and he was feared by those he persecuted (see Acts 8:1-3). After his salvation, the Apostle Paul was a man who experienced much suffering and hardship. In 2 Corinthians 11:27 he says, “…in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure.” Paul definitely experienced both abundance and need.
 
So, Paul expresses this very great truth that we need to hear—that he “learned the secret” of going through all extremes. Literally, the Apostle Paul was initiated into the secret. He learned by experience. And this is the same process that the LORD Jesus will take all of His children. We are to be initiated into the experiences of life in order to know how to function by faith no matter the situation. Peter expressed this when he stated in 1 Peter 2:21, “For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.” If we are to be honest, few Christians who live in an environment of prosperity understand this initiation. They have come to expect comfort from the LORD as the only way to experience the salvation of Christ. But, perhaps, you ought to tremble if you are receiving all your comforts now. Jesus warned us in Luke 16:25, “But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner bad things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish.’” Does this mean that only the impoverished will be comforted in eternity? No… but the indication is this: those who have wealth in this world have a great responsibility to use that prosperity for the glory of God and the benefit of others. If all you chase is your own earthly comforts, then, truly, who do you really serve?
 
So we come, finally, to the great secret of contentment—whether in a life of abundance or a life of need. Paul utters these oft misunderstood words: “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” Some have ventured to interpret this as meaning, “I can do anything I want in the strength of Christ.” However, that is not what it indicates. The context of suffering and abundance is in view. Literally, Paul was telling the church (and us) that in all circumstances, he found his enduring strength in Christ. And, beloved, that is the same for us. We can endure all things through the strength of Christ. How often do we trust the LORD by faith that no matter what circumstance He brings us into, that we will be able to hold our faith courageously and walk through with peace and grace? Paul gave note of this earlier in Philippians 1:20, “…as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death.”
 
And that, dear friends, is the secret of contentment in any and every circumstance. With our eyes fixed on Jesus, we will walk through any trial or triumph with the same joy in either situation, with our hearts emboldened for His glory and our courage at maximum through His strength. Do you know how to be brought low or abound? You learn it through experience, and that experience is to teach you that no matter what circumstance you face—you can be content.
 
In His Grace,
Pastor Michael

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