Natural Wealth

The Greek philosopher Socrates once said, “Contentment is natural wealth.” Question: If that statement is true, then how rich are you?

Let’s consider the natural wealth of contentment. The Apostle Paul instructs us on this subject. He said, “I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation…whether living in plenty or in want” (v.12). That indicates there is a possibility of contentment that is independent of our circumstances.

Paul calls this a secret. If so, then we need to identify it before we can comprehend it. He said, “I’ve learned the secret of being content” (v.12). The word content means contained. It is the idea of being self-contained. Paul is saying that within the confines of my life I have all I need for completeness. I do not depend on things on the outside, because I carry within me a capacity for sufficiency. So contentment is actually containment—which means having the resources within my life to face life joyfully and victoriously. Contentment is having a sense of the Lord’s adequacy!

Does this come easily or naturally? No! Contentment is a secret that must be learned. The word learned which Paul uses means to be instructed. You must go to school (of discipleship) and take two courses which are:

·       Needy 101 – “I know what it is to be in need” (v. 12).
·       Plenty 101 – “I know what it is to have plenty” (v. 12).

Paul is saying he had taken both courses in life—Needy 101 & Plenty 101 and here is where he learned the secret of contentment. He is teaching that having plenty does not enhance your life, and having little does not diminish your life. Paul is saying: I have learned this truth by having much and by having little. I have learned the secret of contentment in good times and bad times.

What precisely is the secret? It is, “I can do everything through Him who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:13). When Paul says everything he is speaking about really two things: I can be content in needy times and plenty times. The word everything in v.13 refers to every situation in v.12. Paul is saying: I can be content in times when life is overflowing and in times when my life is lacking. I can do all of these things through Christ who strengthens me. So v. 13 means in all times:

·       Christ satisfies “I can do everything (and be
contented)…
·       Christ strengthens “…through him who gives me
strength.”
 
Paul was in prison when he wrote this. Yet Paul did not know contentment by looking around but by looking above. He knew that true contentment does not come from outward circumstances, but from an inward adequacy found in Christ. The secret is Christ! This is a good lesson for us all to learn!

Devotedly yours,
Pastor Ron