THE JEWEL OF CONTENTMENT

"I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." (Phil 4:11-13)

There is an abundance of grace available to every one who is in Christ Jesus. That grace is exceedingly practical, and may be brought to bear upon the circumstances of life. Paul confessed he had "learned" something most uncommon in his day–to say nothing of ours. While sin makes men covetous and grasping, grace enables them to be content with their lot in life. That contentment, however, does not come easily – it is "learned."


The Apostle affirmed he knew how to conduct himself when brought low, or abased. He also knew how to maintain a godly demeanor when he was abounding with provisions. Legion is the name of those who cannot maintain a godly manner at these extremities of human experience. Some "lose their religion," so to speak, when they are brought into unpleasant circumstances– thrown to the ground, as it were, by hardships. Others tend to forget God when they are abounding with temporal provisions. Such things ought not to be. Particularly since we can "learn" to be content in our circumstances.

Some, of course, would have us believe we will never "suffer need" once we come into Christ. Such a view is foolish, for it would leave nothing for the believer to "learn" in that state. Others are taught to expect an abundance of temporal things all of the time. For them,, there is no need to "learn" contentment in that condition, for no other status is really expected.

How do we "learn contentment" in the varied circumstances of life? By appropriating grace to help in those times. By obtaining wisdom to face the challenges of life, and strength to endure them. We "learn contentment" by fleeing to Jesus, and living in the higher and more satisfying realms. We will find that fellowship with Christ and drinking the water of life will make the hard things of life bearable., Also, abounding in the things of this world will be seen as but a small thing. We can only "learn" when we are in the courts of the Lord, basking in His presence, and feasting on His riches. In those realms, He will effectively teach us contentment – a rare jewel, indeed.

PRAYER POINT: Father, in Jesus' name, help me to learn to be content in every circumstance--and to do so with godliness.

-- MONDAY: OBTAINING THAT WORLD --