The Key to Contentment

The Sufficiency of God and Contentment in Life.
Phil. 4:10-20
“I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.”
In his classic book, The Rare Jews of Christian Contentment, Jeremiah Burroughs writes, “If I become content by having my desires satisfied, that is only self-love; but when I am contented with the hand of God and am willing to be at His disposal, that comes from my love for God.”  We all struggle with contentment, the satisfaction that our present circumstances and situation are sufficient for our desires, wants, and longings.  More often than not, no matter how much we have, no matter how much we have achieved, we are still left longing for more.  We are left with the illusion that if only we have one more thing or reach one more goal, then we will be delighted, only to discover that in attaining them, we are still left with the inward longing for more.  
As Paul closes his letter to the church at Philippi, he concludes with by conveying his gratitude for their contribution to his ministry. Not only did the people in Philippi accept Paul’s ministry, but they became partners with Paul in his ministry by providing financial support.  Of all the churches Paul established, the church of Philippi early grasped the importance of supporting Paul’s work.  However, even as he writes his appreciation, Paul wants to clarify that he is not expressing his gratitude for their support to manipulate them to give further to his work.  Paul was not looking for more money in his account, for he had learned to be content regardless of his circumstances.
Our joy and contentment are often tied to our circumstances and financial portfolio.  We operate with the notion that financial security equals personal security so that adversity does not threaten us. However, this is an illusion. Economic security can easily be lost.  Paul, on the other hand, learned to be content with nothing.  Even facing difficulties and adversity, Paul was fully content.  For Paul, his contentment did not come from his circumstances or financial prosperity but from the realization that his security and sufficiency were in Christ.  In verse 13, Paul states that the reason he could be content in every circumstance and with the possessions he already had was become the security and stability of his life were found in a person, not things.  In this, Paul distinguishes himself from others.  We often believe that our sufficiency in life is to be found in ourselves, in our abilities and resources, so that we can be secure when adversity comes our way.  For Paul, he was sufficient, not in himself, but through Christ working in him.  But this contentment is not natural; instead, it is something we must learn.  Our strength comes from the empowerment of God, who was present in our life and ministry.
We fear the uncertainty of the future, so we try to insulate ourselves from the unknown threats to our security by striving for more. But this becomes a fruitless quest, for in the end, even the wealthiest person is subject to the uncertainties of life.  We can only be content when our faith is riveted upon God, and we rest in His strength working through us.  When we are not content, it is not because we need more; but because we are focused on the wrong things.  Contentment only comes when we rest entirely in the sovereignty and provision of God.  When our trust is in Him, we can be content even when facing adversity in life. Burroughs rightfully points out, “My brethren, the reason why you do not have contentment in the things of the world is not that you do not have enough of them.  The reason is that they are not the things proportional to your immortal soul that is capable of God Himself.”  The key to contentment is to find fulfillment in the person of Christ rather than the things of this world, for the things of this world are temporary, but Christ is eternal.