The Secret of Success


Philippians 4:10-23
10 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. 11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
14 Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble. 15 And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. 16 Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again. 17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit. 18 I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. 19 And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 20 To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen. 21 Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me greet you. 22 All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar’s household. 23 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

As Paul closes his letter to the Philippians he acknowledges their generous gifts to him and at the same time encourages them as fellow believers and workers in the Kingdom of God. In the midst of these words he expresses what I believe to be the secret to a life well lived – a spirit of contentment.

To say that we are content when our bellies are full and the rain is not splashing upon our heads is a simple thing. To say we are content when a need or needs goes unmet displays a maturity that most do not attain. Paul seems to have arrived at that place. “… in whatever situation I am to be content.” It would appear that the attribute of contentment is a choice. Far too often, especially in a culture where we have more than enough, we are anything but content. In fact, I believe we are taught to see contentment as a negative for perhaps if content we will then stop striving, and life in the western world is all about striving for more. If you will recall, in the previous passage Paul says that he does strive but for something far greater than the stuff of this world. He strives for his eternal reward of living in the presence of God.

There is also something to be said for being content with who God has created you to be instead of wishing you were someone else or in a “better” situation. We are constantly encouraged to “be better”; be thinner, smarter, richer, friendlier ... you name it. But instead perhaps there is value in accepting that God created you as He saw fit and to find contentment in His perfect wisdom.

Jesus brings the perfect antidote to our striving that is driven by a lack of contentment. He brought reconciliation with the God of Heaven through the shedding of His blood. Contentment is ours because we are members of His Kingdom through that blood and everything else is just window dressing. I pray for all of us that we can say with Paul "I am content."

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