Contentment Series

Once upon a time, a rich business owner was walking along the shore, when he came along a fisherman sitting lazily beside his boat. “Why aren’t you out there fishing?” he asked. “Because I’ve caught enough fish for today,” said the fisherman. “Why don’t you catch more fish than you need?’ the rich man asked. “What would I do with them?” said the fisherman. “You could earn more money,” came the impatient reply, “and buy a better boat so you could go deeper and catch more fish. You could purchase nylon nets, catch even more fish, and make more money. Soon you’d have a fleet of boats and be rich like me.” The fisherman asked, “Then what would I do?” “You could sit down and enjoy life,” said the industrialist. “What do you think I’m doing now?” the fisherman replied, as he looked placidly out to sea.

Can you think of a time in history, in which that story is more applicable than it is today? We live in a world that is so fixated on the pursuit of happiness, and on temporary pleasures, and it is infectious. Why settle for what I have now, when I can have more? My TV works fine, but it’s only 55 inches, and there’s an 80 inch 4K on sale at Best Buy, I've just gotta have it! My car is 5 years old and works just fine, and I just paid it off, but the new model is so cool and has a whole bunch of new features, lets trade ours in and get it!

Or maybe for you, it’s about money, time, or work. You know, if you just keep working all that extra overtime and banking money, if you just sacrifice a few more moments with your family, you will finally have it made, and THEN you can finally take your family on that vacation you’ve all been dreaming about, or you can finally get that promotion and get the raise you’ve wanted, or you can finally enjoy a long and happy retirement. If you just sacrifice a little bit more of the happiness you could have now, if you just make a little more money, if you just get that thing you’ve been thinking about for so long, THEN you will TRULY be happy, THEN you’ll finally experience that fulfillment and contentment that you have been working so hard to get.

Have you ever caught yourself saying these things, or thinking these things? If you have, you’re in good company. This is the final week of our Philippians series, but unfortunately for you, Paul was not as fond of soft landings as I am. In his concluding notes, he chose to address one of the most divisive topics known to humanity: Money. But as excited as I am sure you would be for me to talk about money, I felt drawn to instead discuss the real issue, which is contentment. We are never content, so long as we are trying to fill our souls with things that don’t satisfy, because contentment in life is not found in those things: True contentment is found in Christ alone. Every Christian can find joy and contentment in ANY circumstance, through the power and strength of Jesus.

So let’s read this last passage of scripture from Philippians, and I am reading from the New International Version:

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Philippians 4:10–23 NIV

I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 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. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid more than once when I was in need. Not that I desire your gifts; what I desire is that more be credited to your account. I have received full payment and have more than enough. I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.