NOT THAT I
SPEAK FROM WANT: ouch hoti kath husteresin lego (1SPAI):
(Macarthur
on Philippians 4:10-12 Secret of Contentment) (Spurgeon
on Php 4:11 Contentment)
"I am not saying this because I
am in need" (NET)
"I do not say this because I have lacked
anything" (NJB)
"Not that I am implying that I was in any
personal want" (Amp)
What Paul is doing in this
introductory phrase is reminding the Philippians that his thankfulness
for their' giving was not because he was needy (though he was needy),
but because it was good for them to be givers. He wants them to know
he was not depending on their gift to meet his needs. Paul shows the
right balance - we ought to appreciate and rejoice over other's gifts
to us; but we shouldn't rely upon them as the basis for meeting our
needs.
Want (5304)
(hustereo) means to be deficient, suffer need or be in
need. Even though Paul was in by the world's standards "in need", for
he was in prison, he was content where he was, for he was free in
Christ!
Spurgeon
comments that it...
was not an easy lesson to learn,
especially when one of those states meant being in prison at Rome. If
he was ever in the Mamertine, those of us who have been in that
dungeon would confess that it would take a deal of grace to make us
content to be there; and if he was shut up in the prison of the
Palatine hill, in the barracks near the morass, it was, to say the
least, not a desirable place to be in. A soldier chained to your hand
day and night, however good a fellow he may be, does not always make
the most delightful company for you, nor you for him; and it takes
some time to learn to be content with such a companion; but, says
Paul, “I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be
content.”
Some one hundred
years ago it was determined that the average American had about 70
wants, things he desired to have. A similar survey was taken of his
grandson and he had nearly 500 wants on his list and today, I’m sure
that number is even higher. Why? Because people are not content in
what they have! (Joe Guglielmo -
Philippians 4:11-20 The Content
Life)
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Coming downstairs one morning, Lord
Congelton heard the cook exclaim, “Oh, if I only had five pounds,
wouldn’t I be content!” Thinking the matter over, and anxious to see
the woman satisfied, he shortly after handed her a five-pound note,
then worth about twenty-five dollars. She thanked him profusely. He
paused outside the door to hear if she would express her satisfaction
and thank God. As soon as his shadow was invisible, she cried out,
“Why didn’t I say ten?”- Prairie Overcomer
FOR I HAVE
LEARNED HOW TO BE CONTENT IN WHATEVER CIRCUMSTANCES I AM: ego gar emathon (1SAAI) en ois eimi (1SPAI) autarkes einai (PAN): (3:8;
Ge 28:20;
Ex 2:21;
Mt 6:31-34;
Lu 3:14;
1Ti 6:6-9;
Heb 10:34;
Heb 13:5,6)
I have learnt to be content with my lot, whatever it may be
(Lightfoot)
I have learned how to be content (satisfied to the point where I am
not disturbed or disquieted) in whatever state I am (Amp)
for I have learnt to be satisfied with what I have (GNB)
for (for my part) I have learned, whatever be my outward experiences,
to be content (Weymouth)
so far as I am concerned, I have come to learn, in the circumstances
in which I am placed, to be independent of these and self-sufficient
(Wuest)
For (gar)
explains the reason for Paul not being dependent upon their gift. It
is not because he needs external circumstances to be more favorable,
but that he has learned to be content from another Source. Paul does
not need gifts to rejoice. The believer's joy and contentment is not
dependent upon outward circumstances, but upon the indwelling Christ.
Paul’s joy comes from within, not from without.
Henry
says that
"We
have here an account of Paul's learning, not that which he got at the
feet of Gamaliel, but that which he got at the feet of Christ."
Have
learned (3129) (manthano)
means to learn by experience, to discover and so to genuinely
understand and accept a teaching as true and to apply it in one’s
life. Manthano indicates that one directs his mind to
something which produces an external effect. In the present context
the idea would be that Paul learned through his experiences and came
to know and experience the contentment he describes. His spiritual
contentment was not something he had immediately after he was saved.
He had to go through many experiences, easy and difficult, in order to
learn who was the Source of true contentment.
And so we see
that this satisfaction apart from external conditions is something
Paul learned. It may have taken some time, but Paul's training has
been consummated and he is no longer dependent upon worldly things for
satisfaction. All believers can expect to go through the same training
process for as "citizens of heaven", God wants to wean us from
dependence upon the decaying delicacies of earth.
Contentment does
not come naturally (even to Christians) but only supernaturally as one
learns that this life is no longer me living but Christ living in and
through me.
Wuest comments that the
"words “have
learned” are in a
construction in the Greek which speaks of entrance into a new
condition. It is, “I have come to learn.” Paul had not always
known that. He had been reared in the lap of luxury, and had never
known want as a young man. The “I”
is emphatic. It is, “I, for my part, whatever others may feel.” -- I leave it to others if they will, to be discontented. I, for my
part, have learned, by the teaching of the Holy Spirit, and the
dealings of Providence to be content.
Paul had learned
and accepted the teaching that Christ was His sufficiency and had
applied it practically to his life experiences.
How did Paul learn?
Surely in God's classroom, the curriculum offering such classes as
"Discipline (Child Training) 101", "Tribulaton102", etc, classes in
which Paul had ample experience, recording for example
"I
have been on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from
robbers, dangers from my countrymen, dangers from the Gentiles,
dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers on the sea,
dangers among false brethren..." (2Cor 11:26)
The writer of Hebrew extols the
virtues of our heavenly Father's method of teaching His children
through "child training" writing that
"He disciplines us for
our good, that we may share His holiness. All discipline for the
moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have
been trained (Greek = gymnazo - pictures discipline as God's
gymnasium) by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of
righteousness. [a harvest of fruit which consists in righteousness--in
conformity to God's will in purpose, thought, and action, resulting in
right living and right standing with God]" (Heb 12:10-11)
Be
(eimi) means to exist and in the present context
describes Paul's existing in a state of contentment. The verb is in
the
present tense which speaks of his experience as a
continuous one and the
indicative mood signifies that this was
a real event, not a figment of his imagination. Contentment is not a
hypothetical postulate available to just a few but is the practical
potential available to every person in Christ. Paul was totally
independent of man because he was totally dependent upon Christ. He
knew that the chief end of man is not to have his needs met, but to
glorify God and enjoy Him forever and because of that, he was
satisfied with whatever God graciously granted him.
Content
(842) (autarkes from autos =
reflexive pronoun = self + arkeo = be sufficient,
suffice) means literally "sufficient to self" (self-sufficient and
competent) and so to be independent of external circumstances and
independent of all people. One secular writer used autarkes in
reference to a country that supplied itself and had no need of
imports. True contentment comes only from our Lord, and enables
believers to be satisfied and at ease in the midst of any problem.
Autarkes therefore describes the man who needs nothing externally
to be satisfied in life for all he needs is within. the believer who
has Christ dwelling within.
Wiersbe
adds that...
The word “content” actually means
“contained.” It is a description of the man whose resources are within
him so that he does not have to depend on substitutes without. (Wiersbe,
W: Bible Exposition Commentary. 1989. Victor)
Asaph
expresses a similar thought asking...
Whom have I in heaven but Thee? And
besides Thee, I desire nothing on earth. My flesh and my heart may
fail, But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. (Ps
73:25-26)
Dwight Pentecost wisely explains that...
Air and water are two entirely
different elements or spheres, and it is impossible to have a vessel
filled with air and water at the same time. One that is filled with
air must have the air displaced in order to be filled with water.
Similarly, if a man’s life is given over to the pursuit of material
things, that life cannot then be filled with Jesus Christ. Until that
love for material things is displaced, that life cannot and will not
be filled with Jesus Christ. When a man gives himself to the pursuit
of all that is involved in this world and makes its position and its
material things his goal and his standard and the center of his life,
he will not find the satisfaction that comes from making Jesus Christ
the center of his life. To be content is the opposite of to be
covetous, to be greedy, to be worldly, to be materialistic... The
reason material things can never make a man content is that a man is
never able to get enough of them to satisfy him... Someone once asked
John D. Rockefeller how much money is enough. He thought a moment and
said, “Just a little more than one has.” The world’s wealthiest man
has yet to say, “I have enough to be satisfied.” (Pentecost,
J. D. The Joy of Living: A Study of Philippians. Kregel Publications)
Jesus
warned
Beware, and be on your guard
against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance
does his life consist of his possessions. (Luke 12:15)
We can never
accumulate enough "things" if "things" are what we crave. Jesus
implies one can easily fall into this deceptive trap. So "Beware"!
Material things give no lasting satisfaction. It is only in what Jesus
provides that can we can find genuine satisfaction and
contentment.
Barclay adds that
in order to achieve content, the Stoics abolished all desires and
eliminated all emotions. Love was rooted out of life and caring was
forbidden. As T. R. Glover said, “The Stoics made of the heart a
desert, and called it a peace.” We see at once the difference between
the Stoics and Paul. The Stoic said, “I will learn to be content by a
deliberate act of my own will.” Paul said, “I can do all things
through Christ Who infuses His strength into me.” For the Stoic,
contentment was a human achievement; for Paul it was a divine gift.
The Stoic was self-sufficient; but Paul was God-sufficient. Stoicism
failed because it was inhuman; Christianity succeeded because it was
rooted in the divine. Paul could face anything, because in every
situation he had Christ. The man who walks with Christ can cope with
anything.
(Barclay,
W: The Daily Study Bible Series, Rev. ed. Philadelphia: The
Westminster Press)
Autarkes is found
only here in the NT but was a secular word used by the Stoic
philosophers to describe one of their favorite doctrines that a man by
exerting the power of his own will (mind power or what today we might
say "grit your teeth and bear it") should be sufficient to himself for
all things and should be enabled thereby to resist the shock of
whatever circumstances or conditions he might experience. It expressed
the Stoic concept of the wise man as being sufficient in himself,
wanting nothing and possessing everything.
Paul adapts this well
known pagan word and gives it a Christocentric meaning explaining that
he is "self-sufficient" but is not a result of the power exerted by
his old self (his flesh) but through the power of the new self indwelt
by the Spirit of Christ, His source of strength. Succinctly stated
Paul is self-sufficient because he is Spirit dependent and
Savior-supplied. Are you trying to live the "Christian" life in your
power? Take Christ out of "Christian" and the word that's left ("ian")
doesn't even make sense. Have you like Paul learned to be content in
Christ? Please don't become disappointed if you have not achieved the
level of maturity Paul expresses. Remember that even the great apostle
had to learn this wonderful truth. So don't expect it to come either
naturally or instantaneously. Use the circumstances God allows to
learn this truth.
Paul’s independence was not
Stoic independence, but dependence upon Christ. He found his
sufficiency in Christ. He was independent of circumstances because he
was dependent upon Christ. One of the secrets of contentment is to
have a mind satisfied with whatever Providence allots. A prayer you
may have heard in church is "Lord, give us minds always contented
with our present condition.” Have you ever prayed like that
before?
Eadie adds that
"The
contentment which the apostle universally and uniformly possessed,
sprang not from indifference, apathy, or desperation. It was not
sullen submission to his fate, not the death of hope within him. He
felt what want was, and keenly felt it, and therefore he gladly
accepted of relief, and rejoiced in all such manifestations of
Christian sympathy. Nor was he self-sufficient in the ordinary or the
common sense of the term. It was no egotistic delusion that upheld
him, nor did he ever invoke the storm to show that he could brave it.
But his mind calmly bowed to the will of God in every condition in
which he was placed. For that wondrous equanimity and cheerfulness
which far excelled the stolid and stubborn endurance ascribed to
heathen stoicism, gave him the mastery over circumstances. He felt the
evil, but surmounted it—a purer triumph than with a petrified heart to
be unconscious of it."
Although autarkes
is found only here in the NT, there are several instructive uses of
related words. For example in the midst of a "thorny" trial, Paul is
reminded of Jesus' encouraging words:
"My grace is sufficient (arkeo) (Christ's
grace suffices and abides. Amplified says " [sufficient against any
danger and enables you to bear the trouble manfully]) for you, for
power is perfected in weakness." Most gladly, therefore, I will rather
boast about my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may dwell in me." (2Cor
12:9)
Surely this
thorny trial was a lesson in the Christ's class of "Contentment 101".
Writing in the
context of "cheerful giving" Paul reminds the Corinthians that
God is able to make all
grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency
(autarkeia used in classical Greek in a philosophical
sense for "a perfect condition of life, in which no aid or support is
needed". Amplified adds "possessing enough to require no aid or
support and furnished in abundance for every good work and charitable
donation") in everything, you may have an abundance for every good
deed (2Co
9:8)
Paul reminded Timothy of what was really valuable in
life writing that
"godliness
actually is a means of great gain (a source of immense profit)
, when accompanied by contentment (autarkeia)."
(1Ti
6:6)
The writer of Hebrews exhorts the saints of all ages
to
"Let your character (conduct, manner of life, behavior)
be free from the love of money (Amplified adds [including greed,
avarice, lust, and craving for earthly possessions]) , being content (arkeo) with
what you have, for (explains now how the former attitude is
possible) He Himself has said, "I WILL NEVER DESERT YOU, NOR WILL I
EVER FORSAKE YOU (there are 5 negatives in the Greek underlining
the absolute impossibility of this ever happening) " (see note
Hebrews 13:5)
This verse once
again emphasizes the close relationship of a Christian's contentment
with intimacy with Christ and his confidence in Christ's sufficiency.
A T Robertson
adds that
Paul is contented with his lot and he learned that lesson long ago.
Paul is teaching
here that he had learned how to be independent of external
circumstances. He had come to the point of realizing JESUS was ALL he
had and that JESUS was ALL he NEEDED!
In whatever
circumstances I am - Spurgeon makes the point that the little word
whatever (herewith in his version) is very important
explaining that the idea is that...
There is nothing in hunger, or
thirst, or nakedness, or peril, to invite our contentment. If we are
content under such circumstances, it must be from higher motives than
our condition itself affords. Hunger is a sharp thorn when in the
hands of stern necessity. But hunger may be voluntarily endured for
many an hour when conscience makes a man willing to fast. Reproach may
have a bitter fang, but it can be bravely endured, when I am animated
by a sense of the justice of my cause. Now Paul counted that all the
ills which befell him were just incident to the service of his Lord.
So for the love he bear to the name of Jesus, the hardships of
servitude or self-mortification sat lightly on his shoulders, and were
brooked cheerily by his heart.
There is yet a third reason why
Paul was content, I will illustrate it. Many an old veteran takes
great pleasure in recounting the dangers and sufferings of his past
life. He looks back with more than contentment, oftentimes with self-gratulation,
upon the terrible dangers and distresses of his heroic career. Yet the
smile that lights his eye, and the pride that sits on his lofty
wrinkled brow as he recounts his stories, were not there when he was
in he midst of the scenes he is now describing. It is only since the
dangers are past, the fears have subsided, and the issue is complete,
that his enthusiasm has been kindled to a flame. But Paul stood on
vantage ground here. "In all these things," said he, "we are
more than conquerors." Witness his voyage toward Rome. When the
ship in which he sailed was caught and driven before a tempestuous
wind; when darkness veiled the skies; when neither sun nor stars in
many days appeared; when hope failed every heart;—he alone bore up
with manly courage. And why? The angel of God stood by him, and said,
Fear not. His faith was predestined, and as such, he had as much
peaceful contentment in his breast while the tribulation lasted as
when it had closed. (Contentment)
Theodore Epp
makes a good point that writing...
Nowhere does the Bible suggest that
we should be content with unsatisfactory conditions. But because of
our personal relationship with Christ we can be content in them.
As different situations arise and we learn our lessons one after
another, we will also find it possible to be content in every
situation.
Contentment is one of those concepts that is easier to define than to
experience. This is probably because the tendency is to seek
contentment in possessions rather than in a person.
We assume that contentment comes from having things, but it is
possible to have deep contentment without things.
So often we think contentment would be ours if we were promoted to the
next higher position or if we were able to buy that object we think we
need so much or if we could be accepted in a certain circle of
friends.
But as we advance in these areas, we discover that contentment is
elusive because we are seeking it in the wrong places and in the wrong
way.
Contentment does not depend on what we have; it depends on who we are.
It is a spiritual attainment, not something that results from
purchasing power. As someone has said, "Contentment is a state of
heart rather than a statement of account."
Godliness with contentment is great gain (1 Ti 6:6). (Devotional)
Clarke
adds that what Paul is
saying is that
"I
am so satisfied with the wise providence and goodness of God, that I
know whatever He determines is the best; and therefore I am perfectly
contented that He should govern the world in that way which seems best
to His godly wisdom. How true is the proverb, A contented mind is a
continual feast! What do we get by murmuring and complaining?"
Calvin
comments
"Whatever
my condition may be, I am satisfied with it. "Why? because saints know
that they thus please God. Hence they do not measure sufficiency by
abundance, but by the will of God, which they judge of by what takes
place, for they are persuaded that their affairs are regulated by his
providence and good pleasure."
Spurgeon
gives us an excellent metaphor to help understand Paul's teaching --
"These words show us that
contentment is not a natural propensity of man. “Ill weeds grow
apace.” Covetousness, discontent, and murmuring are as natural to man
as thorns are to the soil. We need not sow thistles and brambles; they
come up naturally enough, because they are indigenous to earth: and
so, we need not teach men to complain; they complain fast enough
without any education. But the precious things of the earth must be
cultivated. If we would have wheat, we must plough and sow; if we want
flowers, there must be the garden, and all the gardener’s care. Now,
contentment is one of the flowers of heaven, and if we would have it,
it must be cultivated; it will not grow in us by nature; it is the new
nature alone that can produce it, and even then we must be specially
careful and watchful that we maintain and cultivate the grace which
God has sown in us. Paul says, “I have learned ... to be content;” as
much as to say, he did not know how at one time. It cost him some
pains to attain to the mystery of that great truth. No doubt he
sometimes thought he had learned, and then broke down. And when at
last he had attained unto it, and could say, “I have learned in
whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content,” he was an old,
grey-headed man, upon the borders of the grave—a poor prisoner shut up
in Nero’s dungeon at Rome. We might well be willing to endure Paul’s
infirmities, and share the cold dungeon with him, if we too might by
any means attain unto his good degree.
Do not indulge the notion that you
can be contented with learning , or learn without discipline. It is
not a power that may be exercised naturally, but a science to be
acquired gradually. We know this from experience. Brother, hush that
murmur, natural though it be, and continue a diligent pupil in the
College of Content." (Morning and evening: Feb 16 AM).
Contentment from
Easton's Bible Dictionary
A
state of mind in which one's desires are confined to his lot
whatever it may be (1 Timothy
6:6;
2Cor9:8).
It is opposed to envy (James
3:16), avarice (Hebrews
13:5), ambition (Proverbs
13:10), anxiety (Matthew
6:25
6:34),
and repining (1 Corinthians
10:10). It arises from the
inward disposition, and is the offspring of humility, and of an
intelligent consideration of the rectitude and benignity of
divine providence (Psalms
96:1,2;
145), the
greatness of the divine promises (2 Peter
1:4), and our own unworthiness
(Genesis
32:10); as well as from the
view the gospel opens up to us of rest and peace hereafter (Romans
5:2).
Spurgeon in Morning and
Evening writes the following devotional related to Philippians
4:11...
These words show us that
contentment is not a natural propensity of man. “Ill weeds grow
apace.” Covetousness, discontent, and murmuring are as natural to man
as thorns are to the soil. We need not sow thistles and brambles; they
come up naturally enough, because they are indigenous to earth: and
so, we need not teach men to complain; they complain fast enough
without any education. But the precious things of the earth must be
cultivated. If we would have wheat, we must plough and sow; if we want
flowers, there must be the garden, and all the gardener’s care. Now,
contentment is one of the flowers of heaven, and if we would have it,
it must be cultivated; it will not grow in us by nature; it is the new
nature alone that can produce it, and even then we must be specially
careful and watchful that we maintain and cultivate the grace which
God has sown in us. Paul says, “I have learned ... to be content;” as
much as to say, he did not know how at one time. It cost him some
pains to attain to the mystery of that great truth. No doubt he
sometimes thought he had learned, and then broke down. And when at
last he had attained unto it, and could say, “I have learned in
whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content,” he was an old,
grey-headed man, upon the borders of the grave—a poor prisoner shut up
in Nero’s dungeon at Rome. We might well be willing to endure Paul’s
infirmities, and share the cold dungeon with him, if we too might by
any means attain unto his good degree. Do not indulge the notion that
you can be contented with learning, or learn without discipline. It is
not a power that may be exercised naturally, but a science to be
acquired gradually. We know this from experience. Brother, hush that
murmur, natural though it be, and continue a diligent pupil in the
College of Content.
Dwight Pentecost poignantly
applies the teaching in this passage writing...
Child of God, if there is a
restlessness in your heart, if you long for that rest, satisfaction,
and contentment which Paul testifies he has found, on the authority of
Scripture I can say that is to be found only in Jesus Christ. Jesus
Christ must be the center of life. Jesus Christ must be the goal of
life. Jesus Christ must be the fullness of life. He must be all in
all. Socrates, the great Greek philosopher, was asked on one occasion,
“Who is the wealthiest man?” He replied, “He that is content with
least, for contentment is natures’ well.” “To live is Christ,” and “I
am content.” (Ibid)
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A friend
in Pennsylvania wrote, "One of my father's old cows gives good milk,
but she sure can be dumb! She has a whole field in which to feed, yet
no grass seems quite as tasty as those patches outside her own
pasture. I often see her stretching her head through the fence, while
right behind her is everything she needs—excellent grazing land,
beautiful shade trees, a cool, refreshing stream of water, and even a
big chunk of salt. What more could she want?"
Many people are like that old cow. They think the "grass is always
greener on the other side of the fence." They are constantly grasping,
coveting, and seeking to obtain what doesn't belong to them.
If you are a Christian, the greatest blessings in life are already
yours. Heaven is your home, and God is your Father. He has promised
never to leave you (Heb. 13:5), and He will supply your every need
(Phil. 4:19). How green the grass is on your side of the fence! —R. W.
De Haan (Our
Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted by
permission. All rights reserved)
Most people aren't content with
their lot --
even when they get a lot.
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GODLY CONTENTMENT - Contentment is never the result of
multiplying riches, increasing pleasures, or gaining fame. All these
only incite discontent, for when one obtains them, he finds he still
is not satisfied. Contentment does not depend upon things on the
outside, but results from conditions on the inside! Paul had suffered
more for the sake of Christ than probably anyone else (2 Cor.
11:23-28); yet this is the man who says, "I am content." The apostle
was able to interpret all the experiences of life in terms of God's
will for his eternal good (Rom. 8:28). Paul did not come to this happy
philosophy of life in a moment. He says, "I have learned . . . to be
content." Aspiring to be what we are not, or grasping after riches
which elude us, is not the way to happiness. We must rather do our
very best with God's help to accomplish our life's task with the
talents and opportunities He presents.
In his famous lecture on "Clocks and Watches," Dr. Joseph Parker
related the following story: A little watch, delicately strung, was
dissatisfied with its restricted sphere of influence in a lady's
pocket. It envied the position of Big Ben, the great tower clock. One
day as it passed with her ladyship over London's Westminster Bridge,
the tiny watch exclaimed, "I wish I could go up there! I could then
serve multitudes, instead of just one individual." "You shall have
your opportunity, small watch," she said. The lecturer then
dramatically described how the pocket timepiece was drawn up the side
of the mammoth tower by a slender thread. When it reached the top, it
was completely lost to view. In his dramatic way, Dr. Parker concluded
his lecture by exclaiming, "Its elevation had become its
annihilation!"
Pray that you too may not lose the small influence you now have for
Christ by coveting something larger for which you are not equipped,
and which God constantly refuses you in His love. (Our
Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted by
permission. All rights reserved)
O for the peace of perfect trust
My loving God in Thee;
Unwavering faith that never doubts
Thou choosest best for me. —Anon.
Discontent makes rich men poor,
While contentment makes poor men rich
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BAD AND GOOD OF POVERTY - The young man I visited in jail had
been arrested for armed robbery. He was bitter as he spoke of the
inner-city school from which he had dropped out because he felt
unsafe. He asked, "Why couldn't I have gone to a better school? Why
didn't someone help me to learn a trade?" He said he committed the
robbery because he was sick and tired of having so little while others
had so much.
I felt sorry for him. Poverty has a down side. It can place people in
a position where they are tempted to commit crimes.
Like the writer of Proverbs 30, I would never ask God to send me
poverty. Yet Jesus said, "Blessed are you poor" (Luke 6:20).
I grew up in the 1930s during the Great Depression. My family seldom
ate meat, and we wore second hand clothing. Yet we were happy. We were
supremely thankful for small favors. We enjoyed simple pleasures. We
appreciated one another. We valued our spiritual riches.
I'm not saying that we should desire poverty, but we can be hankful
for it. We can learn lessons through it that we could earn in no other
way. Let's be like the apostle Paul who said that he had learned to be
content, no matter what his situation (Phil. 4:11). -- Herbert Vander
Lugt (Our
Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted by
permission. All rights reserved)
Lord, help me not to set my heart
On things that pass away;
Make me content with what I have
And help me stay that way. --Sper
Those who are content are never poor;
those who are discontent are
never rich
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Contentment
by William Cowper
Fierce
passions discompose the mind,
As tempests vex the sea;
But calm content and peace we find,
When, Lord, we turn to Thee.
In vain by reason and by rule
We try to bend the will;
For none but in the Saviour's school
Can learn the heavenly skill.
Since at His feet my soul has sate,
His gracious words to hear,
Contented with my present state,
I cast on Him my care.
"Art thou a sinner, soul?" He said,
"Then how canst thou complain!
How light thy troubles here, if weigh'd
With everlasting pain!
"If thou of murmuring wouldst be cured,
Compare thy griefs with mine;
Think what my love for thee endured,
And thou wilt not repine.
"'Tis I appoint thy daily lot,
And I do all things well;
Thou soon shalt leave this wretched spot,
And rise with me to dwell.
"In life my grace shall strength supply,
Proportion'd to thy day;
At death thou [still] shalt find me nigh,
To wipe thy tears away."
Thus I, who once my wretched days
In vain repinings spent,
Taught in my Saviour's school of grace,
Have learnt to be content.
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ILLUSTRATIONS OF
BIBLE TRUTH by Harry A. Ironside - SATISFACTION IN CHRIST
- I have learned in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be
content (Phil. 4:11)
CHRIST is enough to satisfy the hearts of all who confide
in Him and who leave everything in His hands. Such need
never be cast down by seeming misfortunes.
A Christian asked another how he was getting along.
Dolefully his friend replied, "Oh, fairly well, under the
circumstances."
"I am sorry," exclaimed the other, "that you are under the
circumstances. The LORD would have us living above all
circumstances, where He Himself can satisfy our hearts and
meet our every need for time and eternity."
