How To Be Content With A Little - Philippians 4:11-13 Series

Contentment is priceless, because it is needed for putting all the main principles of Philippians into practice. Let privation humble you (submit to providence), look to God for strength to let go of discontent (you’ll need it!), and count on the promise that you can perform any feat of contentment through his strength.

Philippians 4:10 I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it.

11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 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. 13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

14 Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. 15 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; 16 for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid again and again when I was in need. 17 Not that I am looking for a gift, but I am looking for what may be credited to your account. 18 I have received full payment and even more; 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. 19 And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.

Introduction: The Value of Contentment

For Joy

Benjamin Franklin said “Contentment makes poor men rich. Discontent makes rich men poor.” That’s exactly right. It’s close to what Paul said in 1 Tim.6:6.

1 Timothy 6:6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.

If you have a million dollars, but you’re not happy with it, what good is it? He still doesn’t have enough money, so he’s poor. If you have a person with barely any money who is content, he does have enough money, so he’s rich – richer than the billionaire who doesn’t have enough money. The guy who has enough is always happier and better off than the guy who doesn’t have enough. And so contentment is priceless. What would your life be like if tomorrow you tripled your income? Learning contentment would help you more and make you happier than tripling your income. So contentment is priceless.

For All the Virtues in Philippians

And that’s not the only thing that makes it priceless. Contentment is priceless, not just because it will increase your joy, but also because it will help you in every area of the Christian life. This is the perfect way for Paul to close out the book of Philippians, because contentment is necessary for every one of the principles he’s taught us in this book. Just think of all the main themes. Chapter 1 - rejoicing in the Lord even during suffering – you can’t do that without contentment. Chapter 2 - that selfless, humble, loving, Christ-like, “you-first” attitude that is so essential to church unity – you can’t have that without contentment. Discontent makes you selfish, and coveting causes fights and quarrels (James 4:1), so unity and harmony are out the window if we don’t have contentment. Chapter 3 - considering everything in this world loss in order to gain Christ, treasuring Christ above all – you can’t do that without contentment. Chapter 4 – reconciled relationships, internal peace, gratitude – you’ll never have any of that without contentment. You won’t have gratitude, you won’t have joy, you won’t treasure Christ above all, you won’t put others first – instead you’ll have selfishness, anxiety, ingratitude, joylessness, and relational conflict. Lack of contentment will lead you into all kinds of different sins.

1 Timothy 6:10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

Discontent can pull you into every kind of evil, and pierce you with many griefs, and ultimately end up causing you to wander away from the faith altogether. In Mt.19 Jesus challenged a rich man to choose between his money or Jesus, and the guy went away sad because he was very rich. He was coveting his own wealth and couldn’t let go. And as the guy walks away…

Matthew 19:23 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”