Contented

Philippians 4:9-14 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me — put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. 10  But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity. 11 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: 12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. 14 Nevertheless you have done well that you shared in my distress.
 
ONE way to demonstrate God’s peace is in you is to be content in all circumstances. This is Paul’s message here. One reason Paul wrote this letter is to thank to the church in Philippi for the money they sent through Epaphroditus.
    But do his words seem thankful? As he wrote, “I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again.” it would be easy for us to think that Paul is saying something like this: “Finally you cared for me! I was running out of money.”
    This man in Christ, though, has a much more humble attitude. Paul was not expecting money from Philippi. He was satisfied and able to live with whatever he had: I know how to be abased (humiliated, degraded), and I know how to abound. Earthy circumstances did not matter to him, except as it affected his ability to minister. What mattered to Paul is Philippi’s success as a church: “You have done well that you shared in my distress.” Paul is the teacher whose students have learned well. He is happy for them.
    This contented heart can be yours, too. Paul’s contented character is founded in this essential truth: “I can do all things through Him who gives me strength.” Paul is at peace because each aspect of his life is strengthened as he lives in Christ’s resurrection hope.
    The God of peace has come. Live contented in him.
         
Joy Link: Praising God for all we have.