JOY AND CONTENTMENT – Believers find joyous contentment in God’s eternal presence.

PHILIPPIANS 4:10-20

MEMORY VERSE: PHILIPPIANS 4:19

Philippians can be called resources through suffering. The book is about Christ in our life, Christ in our mind, Christ as our goal, Christ as our strength, and joy through suffering. It was written during Paul’s imprisonment in Rome, about thirty years after the Ascension and about ten years after he first preached at Philippi. Four important verses are:

        • For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

        • What things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.

        • I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

        • Rejoice in the Lord always. Again, I say rejoice.

What picture comes to mind at the mention of contentment? We might picture a dog soaking in the sun while lying on green grass. Others might think of relaxing in a favorite recliner following a delicious meal. Still others might envision a healthy infant lying cozily in its mother’s arms or cuddled in its crib. Most of us have this picture of contentment, but we somehow rarely see ourselves in that picture. Paul challenged the Philippians to pursue contentment. He wasn’t promoting laziness or a lack of ambition. He was challenging them to find peace in Christ and joy in every situation.

THE CONTEXT (PHILIPPIANS 4:10-23)

Near the conclusion of Paul’s letter to the Philippians, Paul gives a more detailed expression of appreciation for their generosity. Their gift during his imprisonment amounted to the Philippians sharing with him in his hardship (4:14). Paul assured them he knew contentment whether in abundance or in need. Contentment in all circumstances was a major contributor to his unflappable joy. That contentment was rooted in Christ Jesus who strengthened Paul in whatever situation he faced.

Paul understood that their concern for his ministry had not lagged, but they had for some time lacked opportunity to send him additional financial support. Then Epaphroditus came from them bearing what he considered to be a fragrant offering and acceptable sacrifice to God. Paul knew and wanted the Philippians to understand that more was at stake than meeting only his needs. The act of generous giving was being posted to their heavenly account.

In return for their generosity to him, God would bless them by supplying all their needs. God’s supply would come from the riches of His glory that centered in Christ. They gave material gifts to Paul, but God would supply their spiritual needs according to His riches made available in Christ Jesus. In his closing praise to God, Paul reminded his friends that the ultimate purpose of life is to bring glory to God. He ended the letter with the prayerful desire that the grace of Christ would be with them.

IN ALL SITUATIONS (PHIL. 4:10 -14)

10 I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it.

11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.

Paul reported his initial reaction when Epaphroditus arrived in Rome with the financial support from the Philippian church. Simply put, he “rejoiced greatly in the Lord”. Through the years, the Philippians had supported Paul and others by financial gifts.

Three things are needed in supporting God’s work: available resources, the heart to help, and a channel through which to dispense the resources. Any one of the three that are missing can hinder our support of God’s work through others. Apparently, there was a time when the Philippians support of Paul was delayed for unknown reasons. Paul was overjoyed when it was restored. Paul assured the Philippians that no matter the circumstances, his sense of self-sufficiency was actually Christ-sufficiency.

Paul had learned his sense of contentment through experience. For most of us, contentment is not normal. We have to learn it. The school in which we learn it is our ongoing relationship with Jesus who provides us strength for every circumstance. Genuine contentment is rooted not in material things, but in the spiritual realities that are ours though Jesus Christ. If we keep focusing and worrying about material things, we may well dwell in discontentment. If we dwell on things that are true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, and commendable, we will be learning continuous contentment at its highest and best.

12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.

13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

14 Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles.

Paul’s contentment that he had learned applied in all circumstances. No matter what the situation was, Paul trusted the Lord to take care of and provide for him. Paul talks of some of his situations: “Five times I received the forty lashes minus one from the Jews. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I received a stoning. Three times I was shipwrecked. I have spent a night and a day in the open sea.” On frequent journeys, he faced danger from rivers, from robbers, and from his own people. He faced dangers from Gentiles, the city, the wilderness, the sea, and false brothers. Also, he dealt with toil and hardship, many sleepless nights, hunger and thirst, often being without food. He was at times cold, and without clothing (2 Cor. 11:24-27)

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Paul quickly revealed the secret of that contentment. It was Christ Jesus who supplied his strength. Paul was convinced that Christ would give him more than human strength for whatever his circumstances might happen to be as he followed his savior. When being obedient to God in service to Him and to others in His name, God will supply all our needs. The heart of his secret for contentment was that he had learned he could do all things through Christ who strengthened him. Heaven’s supply is more than adequate for earth’s challenges. Christ provides contentment in all circumstances.

THROUGH OTHER BELIEVERS (PHIL. 4:15 – 18)

15 Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only;

16 for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid again and again when I was in need.

17 Not that I am looking for a gift, but I am looking for what may be credited to your account.

Paul assured the Philippians that he remembered all the previous occasions when their generosity had been shown him. He recalled the time when he left the province of Macedonia but yet the Philippian church still supported him. When Paul was still in Macedonia, having moved his ministry from Philippi to Thessalonica, the Philippians had sent him gifts several times. Even in its infancy, the Philippian church had been a giving and generous church.

In the beginning, Paul had labored among the Thessalonians night and day so that he would not be a burden to them (1 Thes. 2:9). Paul’s ministry to them had been noticeably enhanced because of the generous gifts to him by the Philippians. Paul reminded them that God would bless their generosity. Proverbs 11:25 reminds us: “A generous person will be enriched.”

Contributing to the spread of the gospel on earth does not go unnoticed in heaven. Christian giving, done with right motives and a cheerful spirit, is earning heavenly dividends that will one day earn the divine accolade, “Well done, good and faithful servant,” not to mention heavenly rewards.

18 I have received full payment and even more; I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God.

Paul’s “thank-you-note” to the Philippians was one of high praise. Giving to the advancement of the gospel is a sweet-smelling gift to God. This is a needed reminder that all believers in all ages need to hear. The Philippians’ gift had fully met his needs and even resulted in an abundance. A contented heart and a discontented one will have different definitions of what abundance means. These verses remind us that Christ often times provides for a believer’s needs through other believers.

19 And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.

As Paul closed his letter, he anticipated God’s blessing for the Philippian believers in return for their generous gift. God could do what Paul was not in a position to do, namely, repay his supporters. As God had met his needs, so the Philippians could trust God to meet their needs. Paul expressed the anticipation of God’s blessings on them with a wonderful promise.

Paul’s confidence and experience with God’s care for him assured Paul that God would reward the Philippian church. Paul promised them that God would supply all their needs. Some needs might be material and others might be spiritual. In either case, God is more than adequate to meet those needs. God is the creator of the universe and the author of our salvation; there are no limits to what he can supply when replenishment is needed. Just think of what has been supplied to us to save our souls.

Hebrews 4: 14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess.

15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are--yet was without sin.

16 Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

Jesus is our mediator, the lover of our souls. He saves us, keeps us, and does not let us go. (John 6).

20 To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Paul was so thankful and appreciative for the blessings that came from God through the Philippian church. Paul had learned to be content in all circumstances because he learned to trust God. Whether in Life or death, Paul knew that God could and would deliver true contentment. He had learned that contentment is not tied to the abundance of material or earthly treasures. Rather, it is to be found in a robust faith in God’s essential goodness and wisdom. Consequently, glory belongs to God throughout the endless ages. Eternity will not be sufficient time to fully exhaust the praises that belong to Him.

“Amen” is an affirmation that means “let it be so” or “I believe it”. Again, mankind is to bring glory and honor to God which is our ultimate life purpose.