CONTENTMENT

“I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation.”

-Philippians 4:12

How content are you on a scale of 1 to 10? Most of us would rate ourselves between 5 and 7, but there are those who can honestly rate themselves 10. Such someone was a world traveler who wrote, “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” (Philippians 4:12).

His name, Paul the apostle of Jesus Christ. He qualified his statement, including times when he was well fed and times when he was hungry; times when he was well off financially and times when money was scarce. Paul was in Rome under house arrest when he wrote those sweeping statements.

What brings contentment and happiness? That question was posed to a group of people who were asked to rate certain factors. What most sought after were: (1) marital happiness (a good marriage and a loving partner), (2) adequate finances – enough money to pay the bills without stress and do what they want without fear of straining the budget, (3) health and self-steem, (4) fulfillment in work or calling, and (5) a good environment, which may include where they live and the weather.

Yet these five things were denied to the man who said he had learned the secret of happiness. Paul obviously had learned something which has escaped most of us today. He had learned what Jesus taught: “Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions” (Luke 12:15).

Contentment, Paul believed, is not dependent on circumstances, but on the inner attitude of the heart which places value on things money cannot buy.