As I prayed for relief from my guilt at Disney World, I was gifted with a conviction to be content. I realized shortly after that I never truly understood what contentment was. I guess I imagined it meant not owning many possessions or intentionally living in poverty. This prompted me to launch an investigation into true contentment, and I found it in a letter written by Paul to the church of Philippi. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 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. I can do all this through him who gives me strength (Philippians 4:11-13).
When I first read this verse, I felt like Paul's Spiritual maturity seemed undesirable or an unrealistic goal to reach. I was taught having less meant you would be less happy and that if you had more, you would be happier. How could you live in a state of contentment regardless of possessions or accomplishments?
Perhaps I was confused because I was indirectly taught, for a long time, that contentment was not a good thing. It was a lifestyle adopted by the lazy, or a cop out for those who didn't want more in life. Perhaps we got it wrong. Perhaps Paul was on to something that most of us can't grasp because we have fallen victim to what the world and the devil want us to believe. This is why many of us have not experienced the gift of contentment.
If you are new to the importance of contentment, I want to direct you to the ancient language of the New Testament Greek. The first time Paul mentions contentment in verse 11, we see the Greek word autarkes. This is the only time this word is used in the New Testament. It means to be in a "happy state of mind" or "self-sufficiency". In verse 12, Paul uses the word contentment again. This time it has a little bit of a different definition. The word is chortazo, which means "Be Full" as if someone ate so much and could not take another bite. Now, what's fascinating is the Greek word chortazo is also used by Jesus when he was preaching the sermon on the mount.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
(Matthew 5:6)
Let's translate. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be content.
Now, let's go back to Philippians 4:11-13
I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content (In a happy state of mind) whatever the circumstances. 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 (Be full in Christ) in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength
Paul had an appetite for the things of this world just like we all do. Yet, he found contentment because he was filled up on God. He was hungry and thirsty for righteousness and had no more room for the things of this world. This is why materialism had no power over him. This is why his circumstances didn't determine his peace and joy. Paul learned this from Jesus.
Contentment allows us to experience peace and joy in ways we've never felt before. It does not take place in the physical; it takes place in the soul. When we are filled up with Christ, it allows us to know who we are in Christ, and it allows Christ to fulfill his work in us. This allowed Paul to rejoice whether he was in his jail cell or feasting with his friends. He had learned to live in either state. How? Paul explains....
I can do all this through him who gives me strength
Phil 4:13.
