I don’t know anyone who doesn’t want it. I don’t know anyone who isn’t pursuing it. Somewhat ironically, it is also something that the harder you work to gain it, the less of it you possess. This object of universal desire is more of a feeling than it is a thing. It is the sense of being finally at rest or satisfied. It is the feeling of contentment. We all long for contentment, or, to put it negatively, we will do whatever is in our power to overcome feeling unsettled, anxious, or unfulfilled. This fact causes many of us to live the type of lives that are chronically unsettled and anxious as we are pursuing that elusive contentment.
We can’t help but be interested, then, when Paul tells us in Philippians 4:12, “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.” He has learned the secret. He has found what we’re searching for. He is able to be content no matter his physical circumstances. How? Well, he answers this question with that memorable verse so often taken out of context. “I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” It is Jesus, and Jesus alone, who has given them the strength to learn the secret to contentment. He didn’t find contentment at a store or a school. He didn’t find it in a new technique or self-help book. He found it in Jesus.
Paul’s message of contentment in Philippians 4 stands in contrast to his message in the previous chapter. In Philippians 3:12-14, he says, “Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” This isn’t a message of contentment. This is discontentment. He is unsatisfied with his spiritual life. He knows that he is not done making progress in his life of faith. He isn’t unsatisfied with Jesus. Quite the opposite. Knowing Jesus has given his life a new direction and purpose (Phil. 1:21). He wants more of Jesus.
It is too often the case that my contentment is in the wrong place. Paul was able to have material contentment because he was spiritually discontent. He was able to learn the secret to contentment even while he was in prison because his life had a new direction. Compared to knowing Jesus, his physical circumstances just didn’t matter. Maybe the reason why we struggle with material contentment is because we have become too satisfied and contented with our lives in Jesus. We find ourselves anxiously pressing on for more because we have ceased pressing on for more of Jesus.
Chad Ragsdale
Chad is a part of our Christ’s Church family and serves as the Academic Dean at Ozark Christian College, one of our Impact partners. He and his wife, Tara, have served for many years teaching classes and leading in our Student Ministry. They have three children, Logan, Adeline, and Ryane.
Chad is pictured here with his wife, Tara.
