10 But
I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath
flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked
opportunity.
11 Not
that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am,
therewith to be content.
12 I
know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all
things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to
suffer need.
13 I
can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
14 Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did
communicate with my affliction.
15 Now
ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed
from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and
receiving, but ye only.
16 For
even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity.
17 Not
because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your
account.
18 But
I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things
which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable,
wellpleasing to God.
19 But
my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ
Jesus.
20 Now
unto God and our Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
21 Salute every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren which
are with me greet you.
22 All
the saints salute you, chiefly they that are of Caesar's household.
23 The
grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen (Philippians
4:10-23)
By Pastor Kelly
Sensenig
A man walked into a mental
institution one day and was taken on a tour. The tour saw one cell where the man
was beating his head against the padded walls. He kept saying, "Linda, how could
you do it? Linda, how could you do it?" The guide explained that the man was in
love with Linda, and when Linda decided to marry another man instead of him, he
drifted off into the ozone. He couldn't handle it. They went to the next cell,
and there was a man saying, "Linda, Linda, how could this happen? Linda, Linda."
The visitor said, "Who's he?" The guide said, "He's the man who married Linda!"
This illustrates to us that the
grass is not always greener on the other side! It also teaches us an important
lesson. Many times we are not content with where we are at in life and the
circumstances that God allows to come into our lives. As a result, we can end up
in the spiritual mental ward, if we are not content with what life brings our
way. Many Christians are unfortunately always wishing for more, for more
expensive cars and vacations, for that lottery ticket that might give them a big
jackpot. They also are looking for better and more favorable circumstances. They
think that life has sent them a lemon when things are not going according
to their plans and schedules. The fact is this. Some Christians are never really
satisfied with what life brings their way and with God’s sovereign purpose for
their daily lives.
Romans 8:28
“And we know that all things work
together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to
his purpose.”
Many Christians have forgotten that
God has a purpose for every phase and change that comes into their lives. It’s
our responsibility to walk by faith and experience contentment with God’s
sovereign purpose for our lives. In this age of consumerism Christians often
find themselves living for bigger and better things. However, in the end they
discover that things never really do satisfy them, even after they acquire them.
When I was younger, I remember
buying a used car with flip-up lights. I could turn a switch in the car and the
headlights would pop up. I thought this was the greatest thing. I recall driving
down the road flipping up those lights and thinking that I have purchased
something that I will always be satisfied with. However, a year down the road
the newness of the car wore off, and it became just like every other car that I
had purchased. It was just another car for transportation. The point is this.
When we look to find contentment in things, we will always come up short. This
is because material things never can bring true and lasting contentment into our
lives. This is because true contentment is not based upon material things but on
an inner satisfaction that comes from God.
Many Christians are beating their
heads against the wall and are really crying out, “Lord, I am not satisfied or
content with what I have. Give me something else to satisfy me.” Or we might say
because of unfavorable circumstances, “God, I can’t take this anymore. I need
some change in my life, and if you don’t mind, I would like it right now!”
But
in the midst of this mental war, which is going on within us, there is a still
small voice that is crying out to our soul and saying: Be content with what you
have in life and find contentment in every stage and change of life.
What is contentment anyway?
Contentment is a spiritual state of satisfaction we can possess in our minds and
hearts, in spite of what we have, or what we are experiencing in life.
Contentment is when we possess an inner satisfaction of heart in the midst of
the changing circumstances or our lives or in spite of the financial and
monetary status of our lives. Our health, money, or job status may change, but
in the midst of these changes, we can possess an inner satisfaction that comes
from facing life in will of God and accepting His overall purpose for our lives.
