Christian Contentment

Title: The Content Christian Script: Phil. 4:10-20

Type: Expository Series Where: GNBC 8-31-25

Intro: Dr. John MacArthur once said: “contentment is a highly prized, but elusive virtue. Though it comes only from being rightly related to God and trusting His sovereign, loving, purposeful providence, people nevertheless seek it where it cannot be found – in money, possessions, power, prestige, and relationships, jobs or freedom from difficulties. Puritan Jeremiah Burroughs stated: “Christian contentment is that sweet, inward, gracious frame of spirit, which freely submits to and delights in God’s wise and fatherly disposal in every condition.” (The Rare Jewel…, pg.19)

Prop: Exam. Phil 4:10-20 we’ll notice 4 characteristics of a Biblically Contented Christian.

BG: 1. Toay we learn something very valuable about the Apostle Paul. He has mastered the meaning and application of contentment.

2. The word content (4:11) comes from a Greek word that means self-sufficient or independent. The Stoics elevated this word, the ability to be free from all want or needs, as the chief of all virtues.

Prop: Let’s examine together Phil. 4:10-20 to notice 4 Characteristics True of Every Content Christian.

I. The Contented Christian is Confident in God’s Sovereignty. V.10-11

A. The Apostle Paul was Confident in God’s Providence in his life.

1. Paul Demonstrated a Gracious Attitude Reflecting his Confidence in God’s Providential Provision in his life.

a. Here we see a little “history” of Paul’s experience w/the Philippian Church. It had been 10 yrs. since he had helped to start the church. They had supported Paul financially as he ministered in Macedonia (Acts 17). When he moved South into Achai, they continued their support as the apostle preached in Athens and Corinth (Acts 17&18). As the years passed they demonstrated concern for the apostle, however, they “lacked opportunity” to give. Possibly this was out of a preoccupation with their own grinding poverty, not sure. Maybe they were unaware of Paul’s needs.

b. However, when Paul’s envoy, Epaphroditus arrived in Rome he brought with him a “generous gift” from this same church which caused the apostle to “rejoice greatly in the Lord”. Illust: Now, I am sure the gift was significant, but that is not what caused Paul to rejoice, Paul rejoiced in the fact that the gift was evidence of the Philippians’ love for him. Illust: We experience that today. Possibly on a loved one’s birthday, maybe they far away. But you mark it on the calendar and you send a card or small present or even a phone call. The contact represents something significantly more important…you care, you love.

2. Christian, you and I can trust in God’s Sovereign Provision Today.

-I like that word “revived” in v.10. It is a verb. In the original language it is a horticultural term describing a perennial flowering again. Illust: I love rose bushes. We have several. Long Iowa winters, rose bushes will appear to be dead. Spring comes and greening and leaves and budding and then the flower bursts forth. Sometimes that the way it seems in our Christian lives. We can go thru a dark, lonely, and cold spell, Almost seems like God and others are unconcerned about our plight, and then we see a provision…a flowering of God’s grace towards us.

B. The Christian Can Be Content with Relatively Little v. 11

1. Paul Purposed to Let the Philippians Know his Provision was Sufficient.

a. Paul makes sure that he doesn’t come across “poor mouth” to the Philippians. Some Christians need to be reminded that they are children of the King and not that their Progenitor was a pauper or peasant! When Paul thanks the Philippians for the gift they gave, he quickly states a disclaimer…he wants to make sure the church does not think he is either complaining nor that he is speaking from “want”.

b. V.11 “content” – only x in NT. In extra-Biblical sources speaks of being self-sufficient. On ancient writer spoke of a country which did not import any goods because provided for own needs. Biblical contentment does not come from self-sufficiency, but rather complete dependency upon the Lord Jesus Christ to provide for all of our needs according to His riches in glory. (v.19)

2. Today’s Christian Can also be content.

a. Illust: Many of you have heard our experience in Poland a few years ago. All of our luggage lost for nearly entire trip. At first was concerning. Strangely became freeing and when finally arrived seemed like a hassle! We had learned to be content with “little”. We may have had “little” but we had everything that we needed. Illust: In 1970 the average supermarket carried about 5,000 separate products. In 2025, the average is in excess of 50,000. Guess, what, I am living proof, we didn’t starve to death in 1970! We had all we needed. (I was 40’s heard Obama ask for Arugula in Iowa.)