Philippians 4:10-13: The Secret of Contentment

"I can do all things through him who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13

How does one become content? What is the secret to contentment? So often, this life leaves us dry and unsatisfied. However, what if the solution to our discontentment wasn't found in this world? What if it was found outside of this world, in our Savior?

In Philippians 4:11-13, Paul is giving a side-note comment about the Philippians' financial gift. In the recent past, the Phillipians gave Paul a financial gift that he was greatly thankful for. However, Paul is quick to note that he did not need this financial aid since he has learned how to be content in every circumstance. He goes on to tell the Philippians that he has learned how to face abounding and plentiful circumstances l as well as low, hungry, and needful circumstances and still remain content. How so? Because Paul was mature enough in his faith to realize and believe in the fact that his contentment did not come from his circumstance but in his Savior's strength.

So often, we regard our circumstances as the solution to our discontentment. "If I only had that job, or that car, or that house, or that relationship," we tell ourselves, "then my life would be complete." However, this simply is not true. Charles Spurgeon tells us that "if we are not content with what we have, we will not be content if it were doubled." The human heart was created to desire, and until we fix our desires fully on the One we were meant to desire, we will be desiring evermore. However, thanks be to God, who offers us a living water that once we drink from it, we will thirst no more (see John 4).

So, how have you attempted to find your satisfaction in our circumstance rather than your Savior? How have you leaned on the crutch of your situation, which is moveable, rather than on the crutch of Christ, which is immovable?