Be Content

Philippians 4:11"Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have "

The English word “content” can bring up thoughts of indifference and mild temperament. Modern usage tends to give “content” a negative connotation, as though such an attitude has little ambition or drive.

Not so of the Greek term that the Holy Spirit chose for this passage. It is composed of the pronoun for “self” and the noun for “sufficiency.”

Both in Scripture and in secular Greek literature, the word demands an ability to conquer whatever circumstances that may oppose one’s purpose or goal and to continue through in spite of difficulties.

InPhilippians 4:11above . Paul had experienced hunger and satisfaction. He knew what it meant to be obscure and to be a celebrity. There were times when he had more than enough resources to accomplish what he understood God had called him to do, and other times when resources were very scarce. In whatever state he found himself, Paul had learned to be self-sufficient.

Our problem is that we often are looking only at the physical and circumstantial issues and have not learned that the grace our Lord Jesus provides “is sufficient" for His strength is made perfect in weakness

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2 Corinthians 12:9Each time he said, "My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness." So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.

The resources of the omnipotent Godhead are enough for us to “be satisfied with what we have".

Hebrews 13:5.Don't love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said,"I will never fail you.I will never abandon you."

Philippians 2:13.

The self-sufficiency of the twice-born rests on the eternal fact that God “is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.”