By Jeffery M. Leonard, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Biblical Studies, Samford University
The Key to Contentment
Philippians 4:10–20
One of the most famous verses in the Bible is Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
I confess this is not one of my favorite Bible verses. When I was a wee lad of only six I was excited to take part in my very first year of Little League Baseball.
Unfortunately the realities of the baseball diamond did not line up with my outsized expectations for the sport.
The coaches quickly discovered my lack of fielding skills and shuttled me off to right field, the place where I was least likely to see any action and least likely to wreak havoc on the rest of the team. There was no hiding my performance at the plate, however.
Even down in the dreaded ninth spot I would inevitably come up sometime. And each and every time I came up to bat the result was the same: I struck out. More than half the season slipped by and I had not even managed to foul a ball off. It was miserable.
Perhaps seeing my frustration after a couple of swings and misses one particular umpire decided to offer some words of encouragement. He looked me straight in the eye and said, “It’s OK, son, the Bible says, ‘I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.’”
Sadly I swung and missed the very next pitch. It was a bucket of cold water over the head of a young boy’s faith.
If I couldn’t hit a ball what did that say about my faith? Or worse yet what did that say about the Christ who was supposed to strengthen me?
Thankfully I now know Philippians 4 is not about getting a hit in baseball, scoring a touchdown, acing a final exam or accomplishing any other difficult task.
It is a passage ultimately about contentment and specifically finding contentment in the person of Jesus rather than in status or possessions or circumstances.
Acknowledge the strength and provision of God. (10–14)
In the preceding paragraph of his letter to the Philippians the Apostle Paul charged his readers to rejoice in the Lord always and to take their concerns to God in prayer rather than being anxious over them. Now Paul turns to his own circumstances.
We know from elsewhere in his letters that Paul had experienced extraordinary suffering and persecution in his ministry (see 2 Cor. 11:22–33).
Paul tells the Philippians that even in the midst of these difficult circumstances he has learned to be content. Whether in need or in abundance Paul finds his strength and his contentment in Christ.
Give generously from God’s provision. (15–18)
If Paul’s contentment was ultimately found in Christ that did not mean other believers could not play a role in lending a hand along the way.
Out of their concern for him the Philippians sent Paul what was apparently a very generous gift.
Though Paul insists he could have been content even in need, the Philippians’ gift had nevertheless proved to be a tremendous help to him. He commends them saying, “It was kind of you to share my trouble” (v. 14).
Trust God to supply your need. (19–20)
When we take similar steps and share others’ troubles we ease the burdens they carry and show that our own contentment is not found in the possessions we keep to ourselves.
Though it may seem counterintuitive to give to others, especially when we may be in need ourselves, it is in the act of giving that we truly live out our contentment.
We give as an act of faith affirming with Paul, “My God will supply every need of yours according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”
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