THE SECRET OF BEING CONTENT
THE SECRET OF BEING CONTENT
Philippians 4:10-23 Monday, Kevin’s daily meditation October 31, 2011
Key Verse: 4:12
“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. “
Dear Lord Jesus. Thankyou for the breakthrough I had at the Leadership conference. I realize that importance of the Gospel and God’s grace. You have answered the Question, “Why” that I have had on my heart so often. Thank you Jesus. Help me to always focus in on your holiness and my sinfulness and cling to the gospel and appreciate what Jesus has done for me. Lord, I pray that I may communicate the gospel to other people. Help me to get back to basics, digging deep into the Bible for grace of Jesus. Give me strength to focus on the right things about Jesus. Grant me one word to hold onto. I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen!
1. I can do everything through Jesus (10-13).
Verses 10-13 read, “ I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 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. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”
Paul rejoiced that they were concerned for him and cared for him, but not because he wanted his needs to be met by them. He learned to be content whatever the circumstances. He had been in need many times and also well provided for many times. In any and every situation, he learned to be content. His secret was learning to do all things through Jesus who gives us strength.
It is easy for me to be content, because God has provided for me so abundantly. I have family and career and health and ministry and spiritual mentors. But still my heart looks at others and become restless. I am tempted to think, “Why can I not have a 200 members church with lots of growing leaders in the church?” Well, the bottom line is that God hasn’t given me that. He has other plans to develop my house church and grow my relationship with my family and share God’s love with a handful of people in my house church. I must be content. God is so gracious to me. The great and awesome God has poured out his grace in abundance. How foolish it is for me to not be content with what he has given.
2. A fragrant offering pleasing to God (14-23).
Verses 14-23 read, “Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. 15 Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; 16 for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid more than once when I was in need. 17 Not that I desire your gifts; what I desire is that more be credited to your account. 18 I have received full payment and have more than enough. I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. 19 And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. 20 To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen. 21 Greet all God’s people in Christ Jesus. The brothers and sisters who are with me send greetings. 22 All God’s people here send you greetings, especially those who belong to Caesar’s household. 23 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.”
Although Paul could do all things in Jesus, their gifts and support for his mission work in Thessalonica was very meaningful. They were a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. Supporting God’s work is not just about caring for people, but more fundamentally, it is about pleasing God. In the same way, God will meet all their needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. What a privilege it is to serve and support the work of God. We had the opportunity to do this during the Leadership Development workshop. Julie could use her talents and I could use the gift that God has given to me. It was good to serve. It required a great sacrifice but it was worth it and it was life changing. I pray that we may pour out our lives as a pleasing aroma to God.
How can we do it? We can not do it just because we are supposed to. We may be able to serve like this for a while. We there is another secret to serving the work of God. In closing, Paul says, “To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. … The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.” We can do this when we focus on the glory of God and the grace of God poured out on us. Because of this grace we can sunbmit ourselves to the service of the Lord. What would make me make changes in my schedule and rewrite a message 6 times. What would make Julie stand up for three days managing the food for the conference? It is not just because she had to do it. But it was because she knew the grace of God. I pray that we may all know God’s grace and that grace may empower us to serve Jesus.
Prayer: Father, help me learn the secret of being content by depending on Jesus who gives me strength. Help me support your work to please you.
One Word: I can do all things through Christ
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