Introduction: Paul's Example Of Contentment (11)

11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.

11 I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content: We are hardly surprised he'd write this way.
- All through the letter, we've been confronted with a contented man. Though imprisoned, joy emanates from this man like heat from the noon-day sun.
  - 1:12-14 -- He said his imprisonment had happened to "advance the gospel." "The whole imperial guard" knows about Jesus now, and "the brothers have become confident" as a result of Paul's courage.
  - 1:24-25, 21 -- With the possibility of execution looming, he felt strongly he'd be delivered and see the Philippians again. But, if not, for him, "to live is Christ, and to die is gain."
  - 2:17-18 -- He urged them to honor Christ with their lives. If they did, and even if he died, he felt it meant he'd "be poured out as a sacrificial offering of their faith." He said, "I am glad and rejoice with you all."
  - 3:9-10 -- His chief desire was to enjoy Christ to the fullest, even by "sharing His sufferings."
  - 3:13 -- He'd not given up, but was "pressing on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."
  - 4:1-9 -- And he could tell them to "stand firm" and "not be anxious about anything," partly because he had modeled such a life for them from his imprisonment.
  - 4:4 -- When he said, "Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice," we take it as coming from a man acquainted with sorrows.
- So we've gleaned he is content, but now he uses, for the first and only time, the actual word.
I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content:
- Meant self-sufficient.
  - It is a word Paul redeemed from the Stoic philosophers contemporary to him.
    - They taught people to care for nothing outside their control, but to instead impassively accept whatever comes along in life, focusing only on yourself and your character.
    - Resultantly, they encouraged their followers not to love success, family, career, health, or any other thing outside your control, because once your heart is set on them, they'll let you down.
    - Instead, they taught, one should apathetically spectate as the drama of life unfolded around them.
  - But, clearly, Paul was no Stoic.
    - He loved God and and the mission of God.
    - He loved God's people, and the nations.
    - He worked hard for, and cared deeply about, the success of the church.
    - He set his heart on many things (people, movements, God's purposes) outside his control.
      - He emulated Jesus by submitting to the Father, loving deeply, praying passionately, and working hard for his Lord.
      - He was active, engaged, loving, working, praying, etc.
  - And, as he suffered and struggled through life, often for obeying God, Paul was content.
    - He was not self-sufficient or self-reliant, but satisfied in God no matter the circumstances of life. In whatever situation he was in, he was content.
    - Who of us today would want to enter more fully into the type of contentment Paul experienced? How did he live this way?

1 He Had Reordered Loves (10)

10 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity.

At first glance it seems Paul is merely thanking them for the gift, rejoicing over the money.
- But take a closer look.
  - 10 You revived your concern for me: He loved being in relationship with the Philippian church, and had missed them, so their financial gift encouraged him because it indicated they were all friends.
  - 10 I rejoiced in the Lord: He praised God for their generosity, believing it ultimately came from Him. For him, the gift was another avenue towards the praise of God.
So Paul loved God and the Philippians.
- He was not a man in love with the lesser, but the greater.
- He knew what life was all about!
  - Matthew 22:36–40 (ESV)—36 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” 37 And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the great and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 40 On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”

2 He Trusted His Sovereign Father (11)

11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.

11 Not that I am speaking of being in need: Paul truly believed there, in prison, God had his back, and that all his needs were covered.
- Paul believed God to be sovereign:
  - Over creation: Colossians 1:16 (ESV)—16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.
  - Over the nations: Acts 17:26 (ESV)—26 And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place,
  - Over governments: Romans 13:1 (ESV)—1 Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.
  - Over his calling: Galatians 1:15–16 (ESV)—15 But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace, 16 was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with anyone...
  - Over the details of his life: Romans 8:28 (ESV)—28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
    - So he wasn't going to lose his mind in prison and act as if God was not in control.
- He knew God had a reason for it, so he was without, in his mind, any need whatsoever.
  - His Father in heaven cared for him.
    - Matthew 6:31–33 (ESV)—31 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

3 He Was Initiated Into The Spectrum Of Human Experience (12)

12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.

12 I have learned the secret: To be initiated into a mystery.
- Used by the mystery religions of Paul's day.
- Like being initiated into a fraternity or sorority in modern times, God initiated Paul into the club of contentment.
How did God initiate Paul?
- By taking him through the full spectrum of human experience.
  - Consider the categories:
    - Brought low / Abound:
    - Any and every circumstance:
    - Facing plenty / Hunger:
    - Abundance / Need:
      - He said, "I know how to..."
- We often handle hardship better than prosperity.
  - There are many who know “how to be abased” who have not learned “how to abound.” When they are set upon the top of a pinnacle their heads grow dizzy, and they are ready to fall. The Christian far oftener disgraces his profession in prosperity than in adversity. It is a dangerous thing to be prosperous. The crucible of adversity is a less severe trial to the Christian than the refining pot of prosperity. Oh, what leanness of soul and neglect of spiritual things have been brought on through the very mercies and bounties of God! - Morning & Evening, Charles Spurgeon

4 He Received Christ's Continual Strengthening (13)

13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

13 All things: Brought low, hunger, and need, along with abundance, plenty, and prosperity.
- He did not mean there was nothing beyond his powers (e.g. I can bench press 500 pounds, I can work 75 hours per week, I can live without Christian fellowship, I can go without prayer, I can sin), but that he could face all the circumstances of life through Christ's power.
- This is a particularly New Testament possibility.
  - Proverbs 30:8–9 (ESV)—8 Remove far from me falsehood and lying; give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is needful for me, 9 lest I be full and deny you and say, “Who is the Lord?” or lest I be poor and steal and profane the name of my God.
  - Note: At times it was foreshadowed in the Old Testament era (e.g. David, the prophets).
  - God looked forward to the ability to strengthen His people!
    - Ezekiel 36:27 (ESV)—27 And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules.
13 Through him who strengthens me: We know he's speaking of the enabling power of Christ.
- This is not triumphalism, an expression of self-reliant pride, but of humble dependence upon Christ.
  - Remember the Stoics; they looked inward.
- How does this work?
  - Gospel.
  - Spirit.
  - Abide.
    - John 15:4–5 (ESV)—4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.
    - The secret of Paul's (and our) independence was his dependence upon Christ.

Close / Application

1 Reset contentment as a desirable attribute.
- It has immense advantages.
2 Reorder your life to the right loves.
- Make time for God and others.
3 Look up and down the ladder of prosperity.
- To only look up is detrimental.
4 Enjoy God.
- If you were alone with God, you wouldn't compare yourself to others, and you wouldn't change so many of the superficial things we spend time and treasure on.
5 Say "I can't!" less, and "I can!" more.