Experiencing A Life Of Contentment....

In this teaching, we'll consider and learn how it's possible to live a life of contentment, which is a real source of joy! We must understand that there's an innate human desire to want more! There's an innate desire to reach farther, to do better, and accomplish more. However, finding the proper balance between where we are and where we'd like to be is the challenge of being content. If we can be as joyful with nothing as with something because of Jesus Christ, we're well on our way to being content. Further, we must understand that our contentment is not dependent on our circumstances! Take a moment to reflect on those words! We live in a world that says the opposite! Our culture today believes that if we only have "more," we'll be content. The church has swallowed this error! If you wonder why our values are all out of order today, it's because we have bought into the idea that there's always more! As Christ followers, our joy, our contentment is never based on what we possess, but on Who possesses us, Jesus Christ! Our passage is Philippians 4:11-13. In verse 11, Paul says, "Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am." Please take note that Paul is saying being content is not dependent on circumstances! Also take note that contentment is something that's learned! It has to be learned because of the innate desire to want more! Apostle Paul is saying to the Christ follower, contentment is not a matter of what we have or do not have. Please understand that Paul is not advocating poverty or that there's something more noble in having nothing than in having something. Paul is simply separating contentment from any and every material circumstance and connecting it to our spiritual circumstances. In other words, with Jesus Christ, we can be content regardless of whatever else we do or do not have! The apostle Paul was the kind of Christ follower who could experience any circumstance and still be content! When we find ourselves lacking contentment, and we believe it's due to what we don't have, we have failed to understand what Paul learned! Your move. Be encouraged!