Learn the secret to contentment

Four people were hiking in the Swiss Alps. As they rounded a bend in the road, one person said, “This is beautiful. The valley is amazing.” Another said, “I have a thorn in my foot. My feet are killing me.” Another said, “I wish that house down in the valley was mine.” The fourth person complained, “The clouds are building. It’s going to rain today.” Only one person was content!

The apostle Paul learned the secret of contentment. He said, “I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am” (Philippians 4:11). Contentment means “to be satisfied, to be full, to delight, to have enough.” God weaves for us a tapestry of contentment in Philippians 4:10-13. Four strands produce a tapestry of contentment in our lives.

The first strand is to focus upon God. Verse 10 says, “But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly.” Contentment is found in focusing upon God. Paul wrote from prison in Rome. He was chained to the Praetorian Guard 24 hours per day. Roman prisoners were responsible for their own food and clothing. The Philippian church sent a financial gift to help Paul in his imprisonment.

Remember when Peter asked to walk upon the water in Matthew 14? As he focused upon God he did well. The moment he focused upon the wind and the waves he began to sink. We must focus upon God.

The second strand is to focus upon others. Verse 10 reads, “…that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned before but you lacked opportunity.” Verse 17 says, “Not that I seek the gift itself, but I seek for the profit which increases to your account.” This is a strange thank you note!

Paul did not focus upon himself. He focused upon others. He said, “Thank you for the gift. It is deeply appreciated. What really excites me is the reward you will receive for this amazing gift!” A selfish person is a discontented person. A person who focuses upon others will be content.

Over and over again we are commanded to focus on others. Jesus said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). We find our lives by losing our lives (Matthew 10:39).

The third strand is to never focus upon our circumstances. Verse 12 states, “I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need.” The problem is not our circumstances!

In the early 1900’s John D. Rockefeller was worth a billion dollars. A billion dollars in the early 1900’s was equivalent to $200,000,000 today. They asked Rockefeller, “How much is enough?” He said, “Just one more dollar.”

James 1:13-14 teach, “Let no one say when he is tempted, ‘I am tempted by God’; for God cannot be tempted by evil…. But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust.” The problem is our heart- not our circumstances.

The fourth strand is to focus upon Jesus. Verse 13 says, “I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me.” This verse is often yanked out of context. Does this verse mean that I can play running back in the NFL (“I can do all things”)? Does this verse mean that if we can imagine it that we can achieve it? Certainly not!

The Lord Jesus promises to strengthen His people. Jesus Christ represents every believer. At salvation Jesus takes our sin. We receive His perfect righteousness. God the Father declares us righteous. Jesus also strengthens every believer. How does Jesus strengthen us? We are strengthened by thinking God’s thoughts! As we meditate on Scripture we become strong.

For example, many people are discontent and love money. They love money because they want security. Hebrews 13:5-6 says, “Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, ‘I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you,’ so that we confidently say, ‘The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid. What will man do to me?’” God is our security. Jesus Himself is with us always- even until the end of the age (Matthew 28:20). Riches are described as uncertain. God is never changing. He is immutable. We can trust Him!

Discontent makes a rich man poor. Contentment makes a poor man rich. What is the secret to being content? Focus upon God. Focus upon others. Never focus upon circumstances. Focus upon Jesus. Godliness with contentment is great gain!

Ethan Hansen is a pastor at Faith Bible Fellowship in Big Lake.