This is what Paul wrote, but can you repeat this verse with sincerity? Are you truly content? With everything?

Are you content with the weather? The traffic on your commute to work everyday? Your boss? Even when you have a "Bad hair day"?

But then the question comes, "Should you always be content?"

If there's marital or parental abuse - should you be content with that?

If you job is not commensurate with your gifts - would you be content with that?

If you're attending a church which provides no call for commitment or encouragement for growth - should you be content with that?

If yours is a sickly and overweight body, and you are frequently weak and ill - should you be content with that?

I. So let's ask, "What is contentment?" Here are some possible answers:

First, there's the western, or Greek attitude.

· The Greek word is "autarchasin", which actually means "self-ruling"

· This is the prevailing "I don't need no body" attitude. Many people are like the little swimmer who wanted no help from the instructor and exclaimed, "I can do it all by my felf!"

On the other hand, in eastern thought the idea behind contentment is "accept your station."

1. The near eastern version of this is, "Fate wills it, so don't fight it." In our culture this gets translated to, "When it's your time to go, it's your time to go." If we have nothing to do with the time of our death, then perhaps everything else has also been pre-determined - so just accept it.

2. Further to the east, this finds expression in the Indian system of caste - one is more likely to get a better lot in the next life if he or she accepts the one they have in this life. This is one reason why so little is done to help the outcaste to better his situation.

3. In Buddhism, the idea is to dispel all desire, and thus end all suffering.

II. Now, let's look at what contentment is not.

First, it is not self-satisfaction. Here's the question, "Is contentment always acceptable?"

For example, are you content with your present relationship with God?

Listen to what the Scripture says:

· "Be eager to be approved of God"

· "Hunger and thirst after righteousness"

· "Follow me as I follow Christ.” This was written by Paul, and we love his theology of grace and free salvation, but are we really willing to follow the pattern of his life? His single minded devotion? His apparent acceptance of suffering as a given?

· Jesus said "Seek first the kingdom," and

· "The violent take the kingdom by force."

All of these verses seem to suggest that we should not be content with the way things are now, but should be striving to move forward and upward.

Or, if you're a student, are you satisfied with the quality of your studies and the grades you're now earning? Wouldn't you like to do better?

And for many, the question needs to be added, "Are you content with your flabby muscles and bulging places?”

How about the quality of your friendships? Or your job performance? Is there contentment, or perhaps a discontent which motivates you to seek development and improvement?

Secondly, contentment is not an uncritical acceptance of the status quos - the way things are. The truth is, not everything should remain as you find it. One purpose of ministry is to achieve growth, and this always requires change from the way things are to something better.

· Would we be content with a church with little love, enthusiasm, or biblical understanding?

· Would there be contentment with music/drama productions where the music notes and lines are missed?

· Would it be o.k. if the school has little interest in the personal problems and life situations of the students?

· Or would we possibly accept a business climate where there's only half hearted interest in the needs of the clients?

Furthermore, contentment is not a willingness to measure ourselves by the mediocre.

This is one problem with the grade system in our schools - it's an artificial measurement, according to median performance. The fact is, we can always find someone to make us look good.

III. So then, what is contentment?

Contentment is the recognition that God is my supplier.

The verse in Philippians 4 is in the context of Paul giving thanks for gifts he had received from the church. In effect, he is saying, "Thanks, but don't take too much credit, God is my supplier."

Notice that throughout his life, Paul never asks for himself, except when he asks for prayer.

Contentment is having the inner resources to manage when there's plenty, and when there's poverty.

The statement, "I have learned in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content" is parallel to the statement, “I can do all things through the one who gives me strength.” That is, "I have the inner resources to manage when there's plenty, and when there's poverty - in warmth and cold."

Verse 11 could be translated, "Not that I speak concerning need, for I have learned to be self-sufficient in whatever state I am."

Then Verse 12 would read, "I know to be humbled and to be overflowing, in all things in every way I have learned the secret to be both satisfied and hungry, also overflowing and needy.”

Followed by Verse 13 - "I am able to do everything by the one giving me strength."

Contentment is confidence that strength will always be provided to deal with any circumstance.

In part, what we have here is a warning against materialism and other forms of external measure. This can be a problem in the church when we tend to judge churches by their buildings, or their financial sheet. In this culture, the business manager becomes more important than the Pastor.

When in I Timothy 6:6 Paul writes, "Godliness with contentment is great gain," it's a statement which follows a criticism of those who think godliness produces financial gain. Note Verse 8 where the word "arkeoo" is applied to being satisfied with food and clothing.

In the end, contentment, i.e., personal self-sufficiency, should be for the benefit of others, as can be seen in these verses:

"God is able to make all grace abound to you, in order that in all ways at all times, having all self sufficiency (NIV = "having all you need") you will abound in every good work." (II Corinthians 9:8)

"Work so as to give to those who are in need." (Ephesians 4:28)