Pleased and Satisfied

Philippians 4:12-13
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 all this through him who gives me strength.

Merriam-Webster defines the adjective “content” as pleased and satisfied; not needing more. According to this, Paul learned to be pleased and satisfied. He didn’t need more. As he wrote in his letters in the Bible, he spent time in prison, months with families in the churches he visited, and worked repairing nets. I’m sure he lived through many different circumstances. And in every one he found contentment.

When I read these verses years ago, I thought I had to have a feeling of satisfaction 24/7. No matter what, I needed to find a degree of happiness. The problem was I tried to find contentment on my own. I totally missed verse thirteen. While I tried to find satisfaction on my own, God waited for me to understand what I needed was him. He’s the one who gives me strength, the one who brings me contentment no matter what. But I have to get out of my own way, bow before God and ask for his help. I’ve learned over the years to seek God first. It’s not easy, but it sure is a better way to live. I love the promises I read in the Bible, they give me the confidence to seek my Father’s help. He gives me the strength in every circumstance to be content as long as I keep my eyes on him. 

I Brought You Into This World

1 Timothy 6:6-8
But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.

In an early episode of the Cosby Show, Cliff Huxtable (Bill Cosby) talks with his son, Theo, about the value of education and why he should work harder at getting better grades. After much discussion that includes a lesson with Monopoly money, Theo still isn’t convinced that he needs to follow his dad’s guidance. That’s when Cliff pulls his dad card and says, “I brought you in this world and I’ll take you out.” In other words, you need to listen to me.

In 1 Timothy, Paul warns the young minister about greed. He reminds him that he came into the world without one earthly thing, and he sure couldn’t take anything with him when he died. This is a truth that’s repeated often throughout the Bible. Be content, God cares for the flowers and birds. Don’t build an earthly kingdom, things on earth corrode and rust. Instead, trust God. Not as easy as it sounds, but certainly the best advice I can follow. God provides. It’s as simple as that. Do I sit around and wait for my food and clothes to magically appear? No, I need to work and pay for them. He gives me the opportunities and the means. God is good all the time.