Generous, Day 11 - Contentment

I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
Phil. 4:10-13

Contentment is a choice.  The Apostle Paul writes this letter to the Philippian church as he sits in jail awaiting trial for his faith.  He is not waxing eloquent when he says, “whatever your situation is, I understand.”  In fact, if we were to look into the life of Paul, none of us would want to trade places with him! (2 Cor. 4:7-10, 6:3-12, 11:23-29).

In this passage, Paul reminds us of a few things:

1. Contentment is based in thankfulness.  Thankfulness focuses us on what we do have, not what we don’t (Psalm 136:1, 1 Thes. 5:18).
2. Contentment is not connected to circumstances but the character of God (Psalm 7:17, Pr. 3:5,6). You can have lots of things or few things and be discontent and you can have lots of things or few things and be content.
3. Contentment is learned. Paul learned it in good times and he learned it in hard times.   Under both circumstances, Paul chose not to lean too deeply into his circumstances – he wasn’t prideful when he had much or complaining when he had little.  He chose in both cases to trust God. (1 Tim. 6:8, Pr.19:23, Hebrews 13:5)
4. Contentment is sustained by our recognition of God’s Presence, Power and Provision. God gives us the strength to be content.  God has always been generous.  He gives us what we need for salvation (John 3:16), defeating sin (1 Cor. 10:13), enduring life’s difficult times (2 Cor. 1:3-5), fighting spiritual battles (Eph 6:10-18) and living a godly life (2 Pet. 1:3).  God gives us what we need to be content.

Philippians 4:13 is one of the most often quoted verses of the New Testament “I can do everything through him who gives me strength.”  It is interesting that this verse is rarely quoted in the context of contentment.  It is best interpreted as “I can learn to be content in any circumstance because God will give me the unfailing strength to do so.”

The simple life is a content life.   God wants you and I to be content with what we have.  He does not want us to continually strive after things that don’t matter and won’t last. Rather he wants us to find our trust in Him.

Generosity Challenge (Day 10) – Figure out how much money you have given away in 2010 (if this is too hard, look at your tax records for 2009 and use that number).  Calculate your percentage giving by taking that number and dividing it by your income for the year.