Learned Contentment
Learned Contentment
Philippians 4:11-12 11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned, in whatever situation I am, to be content. 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.
I have always admired someone who has learned and developed a particular skill set within their chosen craft. I may not know very much about their craft but you can easy recognize someone who excels. In most cases this skill is developed through hard work, practice and muscle memory. The same can be said for those who develop bad habits within a certain area. The former NBA star Charles Barkley excelled in the craft of basketball but have you seen him play golf. I’m sure he practiced hard at golf but he developed some bad habits along the way.
One of the key phrases in today’s verses is “I have learned.” This was not a gift of which he was born with but one he developed over time. Learning a particular skill will also involve failures and disappointments. Paul was nearing the end of his life and this skill most likely took a life time to perfect. These verses are one of the few times he takes ownership for a skill. He is not promoting pride or self-reliance but recognizes he needed to work hard, practice and create spiritual muscle memory to obtain this skill. The skill he developed was contentment. Developing this skill first begins with knowing the security which comes with your identity rooted in Christ. Secondly, we have to practice walking in agreement with this secure foundation. The world constantly pressures us to focus upon external issues. The pressure to excel in our performance while seeking the approval of others will create bad habits which steal our contentment. The skill of contentment Paul developed was internally focused. The pursuit of external contentment within a world which asks “what have you done for me lately” leaves us exhausted and frustrated. What skill are you developing today? Are you seeking the temporary false contentment of the world skill set? Are you, as Paul did, learning to be content in any situation? Oh yeah, remember Paul was in prison when he wrote this letter.
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Jonathan Jones, President and Founder of Perfect Hope Ministry
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