Contentment

 "I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content." Phil.4:11

"Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry" Phil.4:12

"The things which you have learned and received and saw in me, these do" Phil.4:9

It seems that the apostle hit on learning in this part of his epistle to the Philippians. In the Greek it is a word that simply means to learn, to study, to be instructed. It carries the meaning of learning something that you did not previously know. No big secret in the definition of the word learn.

Paul talks about how in life he had learned how to be content as he is and where he is. Whether rich or poor, hungry or full, abased or abounding. He did not learn this from a handbook of how to be a first century apostle. He went through things in life in which the Lord taught him some valuable lessons that were to help him the rest of his life.

The fruit of this lesson is contentment. Paul learned this and we can too. Contentment is not presumption. Contentment is not resignation. Contentment is not being angry or bitter about your circumstances. Contentment is the sense that, no matter what or where, I can trust that God is taking care of me.

I learned to be content. I do not strive for fame or fortune or recognition. I have enough to live on comfortably. I am not always looking for opportunities or business ideas. I do what I can do and that is good enough for me. 

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Phil.4:13

I am sanctified, justified, and one day in Christ I will be glorified. I am content to let God run my life.