Webster defines being contented this way: the feeling or manifestation of satisfaction with one’s possessions, status, or situation. From that definition, wouldn’t you think that the person most qualified to teach others about contentment would be the person who “has it all”, as the world would say? I mean, wouldn’t you think that the guy or gal with the killer looks, the great body, the high income and all of the material benefits that go along with that income would be a contented person? According to Scripture, the answer would be a resounding no!
As we close our study in Philippians this morning, we find the apostle Paul holed up in a Roman prison because of his faith in Jesus Christ. He possesses little or nothing in the way of material things. His daily ration of food isn’t exactly the kind of fare that you and I would choose. Yet, he passes along to you and me, the vast majority of whom are living in suburban America, the secret of contentment.
In his pastoral epistle to Timothy, Paul made the connection between godliness and contentment (1 Timothy 6:6-8). Contentment has nothing to do with material possessions or a person’s environment. Biblical contentment is the condition of a heart that has been regenerated by The Spirit of God (Titus 3:5; John 3:5-7) and finds its ultimate satisfaction in God and His kingdom (Psalm 73.25,26; Romans 14:17).
As long as we are in this flesh, you and I are going to struggle with what is or isn’t enough. It is not always easy to draw that line. But I pray that The Holy Spirit will give unto Koinonia Fellowship a contentment that is rooted in the all surpassing greatness and splendor and glory of Jesus Christ, in order that we, like Paul, will be able to say, whether I have little or much, I can be content and “do all things through Christ Who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:11-13) Amen.
