THE STATE OF CONTENTMENT

Philippians 4:10-13 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. Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: everywhere and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ, which strengtheneth me.

During my lifetime, I have lived in the states of New York, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, Colorado, California, and Hawaii, and, while in military service, I lived in the country of Japan. With the exception of being separated from my family, and especially from my dear wife, during military duty, I have experienced a relative satisfaction in every state I have made my home. Having lived in these different states, I have been privileged to experience a great variety of beauty found in the magnificence of God's creation, which each state had to offer. As a citizen of these United States, I have enjoyed a degree of peace, freedom, and opportunity that is not known to most other countries of the world. I have always had relatively good health, never had to experience hunger, and never had a lack of clothing or shelter. With all of these blessing, and considering the love that exists in my wonderful family, I can truly say that I have lived in the (physical) state of contentment.

For someone that has enjoyed satisfaction throughout most of his or her life, it may be difficult to understand the contentment that Paul is referring to in the lesson text. Paul says that Christians are to be content regardless of what life has to offer, not just during times of fulfillment, happiness and success. Nelson's Illustrated Bible Dictionary says this about true contentment:"...real satisfaction or sufficiency comes from God." To attain a sense of spiritual contentment in times of adversity, Christians must accept the teaching of the apostle Paul in the last verse of the lesson text: I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Phil. 4:13). "Satisfaction" comes from a favorable conclusion to a particular thing or event. It is outward and it is temporal in its nature. However, "contentment" comes from within. It is a mental attitude that is permanent. It removes worry over the unknown - it removes the anxieties of life.

Contentment, then, is attained when we become careful (anxious) for nothing - when we cast all our cares on the Lord by letting our requests be made known to God. In doing so, notice what happens:...the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus (See Phil. 4:6-7). The Christian that understands this teaching, and puts it into practice, will not be cumbered with the uncertainties of life. Here is what Paul wrote to Timothy. But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content (1 Tim. 6:6-8). The Hebrew writer confirmed this teaching when he wrote, Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee (Heb. 13:5).

For the support the Philippians gave Paul, he was indeed grateful. They had, in times past, given much to his physical support, and were once again giving bountifully from the depths of their hearts. Paul did not covet their gifts for his sustenance. Verse 11 tells us that he did not want for anything, because he knew contentment with whatsoever he had. He desired their charity, not to fill his physical needs, but to fill their spiritual needs - to demonstrate their love of God, their support for the cause of Christ, and to carry the gospel message to all hearts, that were open and receptive to God's plan of salvation. Paul desired their charity, not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account (Phil. 4:17).

Like Paul, all Christians can attain complete spiritual contentment - can overcome all adversities, trials, and temptations of life, by the strength that can be found only in the body of Christ. To know that a home in heaven awaits us, to know that nothing, outside of ourselves, can prevent us from attaining that wonderful reward, and to know that the things we have here on earth will sustain us. Indeed, this is the wonderful State of Contentment God offers to each of His Christian children - this is the Statewe must reside in, in order to have the hope of eternal life in heaven - this is theState in which we must have our citizenship.