Contentment

“Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.” (Philippians 4:11)

The Philippians had taken care of Paul but hadn’t had the opportunity to do so and now began again to send him something. (Philippians 4:10) And here is the lesson that the Lord wants us to learn, to be content. Paul had learned to be content whether he had much or little.

The life that Paul led is difficult to imagine.  He was on a mission to spread the Gospel. He could not be bothered with comforts as necessary as a home. “Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwellingplace; And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it: Being defamed, we intreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things unto this day. I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you. For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.” (1Corinthians 4:11-15) The last phrase of these Scriptures tells us the thing that made him content.  It wasn’t bodily comforts nor position or respect among people, but the rebirth of souls brought to the Lord.

When we think of being content, we think about comforts for the body and soul (mind, will and emotions.) There are two synonyms for contentment, satisfaction and fulfillment which to me are two different things. We can be satisfied but not fulfilled.  Yet to be fulfilled is also to be satisfied. When it comes to spiritual things, these can mean different things.  When thinking of Paul, he would have never been satisfied to be a saved Pharisee, like Nicodemus.  He had to be fulfilled by going out in the trenches of the world to preach the Gospel to the world confronting the enemy of God head on.

On a side note, Nicodemus was saved when he came to Jesus at night.  We don’t know this until the burial of Jesus when he assists Joseph of Arimathea. “And after this Joseph of Arimathaea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, besought Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus: and Pilate gave him leave. He came therefore, and took the body of Jesus. And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound weight. Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury.” (John 19:38-40) Both Joseph of Aarimathaea and Nicodemus were content in their hearts.  They were born again believers who worshiped God and believed Jesus. Unlike Paul who would not have been content with just his salvation. He had been a zealot Jew and when he believed on Jesus was a zealot believer. He was not content with bodily comforts and comforts that would bring him a peaceful life.  He was content when souls were won for Jesus.  

We can be content with God’s provision for our bodily and soul comforts.  Do we have a safe, clean and comfortable place to live? Do we have food to eat?  It may not be lamb chops, but God’s provision of nourishment that is healthy and good for our bodies. Do we have good transportation, be it a good reliable vehicle or public transportation? Do we have clothes to wear that are decent, clean, pressed, in good condition and relatively stylish? Do we have shoes that are comfortable and presentable? Do we have a job in which we earn enough to provide what we need, housing, food, clothing and transportation? Are we content with that?

Paul wrote to Timothy: “But godliness with contentment is great gain.” (1Timothy 6:6) I don’t think that anyone was a zealot to the degree that Paul was for the Lord. “Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.” (2Corinthians 12:10) We do know that the apostles and some disciples lived the life that Paul led and were martyred as was Paul for preaching Jesus. While not all of us are zealots, we need to look at our godliness.  To Paul it was forsaking everything for preaching Jesus.  To others it was believing and worshipping the Lord in holy silent acts of love and living.

What is our level of contentment? Are we like Paul?  Are we like Joseph and Nicodemus? Are we like the world, seeking contentment in excess? “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” (Hebrews 13:5) The word that was translated “conversation” means behavior and character in the original Greek.  Our contentment should come from the fact that Jesus is always with us through the Holy Spirit. As for what we have, it’s God’s provision. And we should be thankful. “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.” (Colossians 3:15)