Philippians 4:11

Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content.

Philippians 4:11

The circumstances of his life didn’t determine Paul’s mood — he wasn’t happy when he had plenty and sad when he had nothing. God’s faithfulness satisfied him. But notice something, he didn’t just pray, “God, give me contentment,” and poof, he had it! No, contentment was something that had to be learned by Paul.

The word “learned” here is the Greek word, “manthano”, and it means to be instructed in or to become acquainted with something. So Paul, with all of his extensive schooling, learned the greatest lessons in the school of hard knocks.

Paul would write in the next verses, “I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:12-13).

It’s in the ups and downs of life that we learn how to trust in the Lord. If we could just learn this lesson to be content, knowing God’s ability to provide for us, how free would we be to just go care for others and not think of ourselves all the time. I can do all things through Christ, He strengthens me!

Pastor Doug Hardin