The Key to Contentment

Philippians 4:11 "Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have."

Content: pleased and satisfied; not needing more

When I was a girl I remember singing the song "He's all I Need."  The words are: He's all I need, he's all I need, Jesus is all I need. He's all I need, he's all I need, Jesus is all I need."  When I was young I sang that song without understanding what I was saying. Today as I sit here enjoying the sunshine on the mountains, I can honestly say, Jesus is all I need.

As we learn how much he loves us and as we place our faith and trust in him, we begin to feel content.  When we understand what the Psalmist wrote in Psalm 16:5 (MSG) "My choice is you, God, first and only. And now I find I’m your choice! You set me up with a house and yard. And then you made me your heir!"

God chose us!!!  He kept calling to our hearts until we came to salvation. He pursued us even while we lived lives of sinful rebellion. He never once gave up or got tired of the pursuit. 

Then the moment we accepted Christ as our Savior we became an heir of God and a joint heir with Christ. Romans 8:17a "And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory."

Heir : a person who has the legal right to receive the property of someone who dies

Jesus already died and rose again so we can access our inheritance whenever we need it. Philippians 4:19 "And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus."  

God will supply all we need out of our inheritance. We don't need to fear asking the Father for provision, health, etc. He delights in giving it to us. Matthew 7:7 (MSG) “Don’t bargain with God. Be direct. Ask for what you need. This isn’t a cat-and-mouse, hide-and-seek game we’re in. If your child asks for bread, do you trick him with sawdust? If he asks for fish, do you scare him with a live snake on his plate? As bad as you are, you wouldn’t think of such a thing. You’re at least decent to your own children. So don’t you think the God who conceived you in love will be even better?"

Being content involves knowing our needs will be met and bring satisfied with what we have. If we long for things that God hasn't made provision for (the provision might be divine or it can be through our own hard work and income, or maybe even a gift from someone else) we lose our contentment. 

Paul learned that if he had much he could be content and if he had little he could still be content.  His contentment was not based on "things". It was based on his relationship with Jesus, the giver and sustainer of life!!  

If we seek relationship with Jesus above all else God will take care of the rest. Matthew 6:33 "Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need."