Learning to Be Content

Philippians 4:11 - Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
KJV

I quote this verse a lot. Probably more than any person should ever have to. Yet still, every single day, I struggle with being content with what I have.

I want a bigger house. I want another baby. I want to take my kids to Disney World. I want. I want. I want.

Have you noticed that every single sentence in the paragraph above starts with the word I? It's all about me, and that's what I need to fix.

I don't take the time to look around and see everything God has given me. I have a house that keeps me warm. A bed to rest my head. 5 healthy, happy children. A husband who loves me and loves his God even more. Clothes on my back. Food on my table. An amazing family. More friends than I can count. I am truly blessed.

So why, with all of those things I've mentioned above, do I feel the need for more?

I truly believe that until I truly understand and truly become content "in whatsoever state I am," that God will not grant me the blessings of more. I need to truly get what He has already given me and understand that I'm not put on this earth to lay up treasures here. I am here to win people to Christ and lay up treasures in heaven.

Did you notice that the verse I quoted today is just 2 verses away from the passage I use as the foundation for this blog? Here, take a look:

Philippians 4

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.

I'm pretty sure that God did that on purpose. He knows that we are human. We have needs and desires. It's when we let the desires outweigh the needs that it becomes a problem.

I want you to take a look at another passage with me:

Luke 12
16 And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully:
17 And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits?
18 And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods.
19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.

Did you notice how many times "I" and "my" were mentioned in that passage?

Now take a look at Christ's response to that man:

Luke 12
20 But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?
21 So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.

Wow. Kind of sums it all up for us right there, doesn't it? The rich man had everything he could ever desire. So much stuff, in fact, that he didn't have room to store it all. Yet rather than thinking of someone in need, he was worried about how he would keep it all for himself.

Now, read Luke 12:22-34 and see how Christ used this passage to teach his disciples.

Luke 12:22-34
22 And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on.
23 The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment.
24 Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls?
25 And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit?
26 If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the rest?
27 Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
28 If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith?
29 And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind.
30 For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.
31 But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.
32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
33 Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.
34 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

And as I look around at those with plenty, and I feel my own selfish desires raging like fire inside me, may I learn to be content in whatsoever state I am. And may I remember to lay up my treasures in heaven.

After all, I've got 5 little sets of eyes watching me every day. Little ones who will be laying up their own treasures soon.