Maynard Booher

     Once when Paul was imprisoned he wrote a letter to the church at Philippi. We might expect him to say something about the terrible condition he was in as a prisoner and lament his freedom but he doesn’t. Instead he wrote in Philippians 4:10-13  “But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity. Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” (KJV). Please note  the thirteenth verse again: “…for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.” 
     Can you, my dear reader, say that you have learned the lesson of contentment? What does it mean to be content? Are there things or situations with which we should not be content? What is it that produces contentment? As I look at my fellow men I see so many who are most unhappy with their situation in life. I see so many that are envious of what their neighbor has. I see so many thinking that if they only had this or that possession that they could really be content. I am so often reminded of what my Lord said: “Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth” (Luke 12:15). 
 

WITH WHAT SHOULD WE BE CONTENT? Certainly not sin (3 John 10). Not the commandments of men (Matthew 15:9; Titus 1:14). Food and raiment (1 Timothy 6:8). Such things as we have (Hebrews 13:5). God’s way (Luke 5:5; Philippians 2:14).	WHAT ARE SIGNS OF DISCONTENTMENT? Murmuring (1 Corinthians 10:10). Fretting (Psalm 37:1, 7-8; Proverbs 24:19). Anxiety (Luke 12:22-26). Fear (John 14:27).
WHAT ARE SIGNS OF CONTENTMENT? Desires limited by what we have (Hebrews 13:5). Ease of mind (John 14:1, 27; Isaiah 26:3). Willing to do what we can (1 Corinthians 7:20-24; Matthew 25:16-30).	WHAT PRODUCES CONTENTMENT? Discipline (Philippians 4:11). Trust (Job 1:20-22; 13:15; Isaiah 26:3; Hebrews 13:5-6). Considering (Ecclesiastes 7:14; Matthew 6:25-28;  Luke 12:22-28). Love (Romans 8:28; 1 Corinthians 13:7; 1 John 4:18).  God’s help (Philippians 4:11).

     I am fully aware that it is easier to talk about being content than it is to put it into practice. I’m also aware of something that is even more serious and that is that if one is not a child of God he will always be struggling with trying to be content. Paul learned contentment because he was a child of God. He was able to call upon the Lord and was able to rely upon the promises of the Lord: ”Let your conversation (or conduct) be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me” (Hebrews 13:5-6). 

     Contentment does not mean that we never try to improve or make changes in our situations but it does mean that there are times we must accept our situations until we can improve or change them according to God’s will. Paul was in prison and at that moment he could not change that. There was no need for him to murmur and complain and feel bitter. He was content and looked to the Lord to help him. Perhaps it would be in God’s will for him to be set free, but if not, then accept it.
 

I am reminded of the three Hebrew children when faced with an ultimatum from King Nebuchadnezzar who said: ”O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he

will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up” (Daniel 3:16-18). They could not change their situation but they trusted in God to take care of them.

     Dear reader, please take the time to read the above Scriptures and study them. If you are not a child of God, then continue to read in God’s Word and learn what you must do to become a Christian. If you have questions concerning these important matters, please contact us. We will be glad to assist you.

 Learn to be content!