March 29, 2023
The Secret of Contentment
The Apostle Paul – “I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach, or empty, with plenty or little. I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:11-13)
DAILY DEVOTION
A story is told about a devout Quaker and his contentment. One day, a new neighbor moved in next to him. He watched as all kinds of modern appliances, electronic gadgets, plush furniture, and expensive wall hangings were carried in. As the new neighbor was walking from his expensive sports car to his front door, the Quaker called out, “Hello, neighbor. Welcome to the neighborhood. If you find you’re lacking anything, let me know and I’ll be happy to show you how to live without it.”
As the Quaker understood, contentment is not determined by how much money we earn or how much stuff we have. That doesn’t mean that we cannot be content if we’re wealthy. Contentment can certainly come to someone who is wealthy. King Solomon writes, “It is a good thing to receive wealth from God and the good health to enjoy it.” (Ecclesiastes 5:19) He should know because he was an extremely wealthy man. He understood what it was like to be blessed by the Lord. It is certainly not wrong to be blessed because God wants us to utilize and enjoy what He has blessed us with. If He has blessed us with more than we absolutely need, we can consider ourselves rich and we should be thankful.
We can also have contentment when we have Economic Poverty. Take a minute and reread today’s devotion scripture: “I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach, or empty, with plenty or little. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13) Interestingly enough, Paul was in prison when he wrote the book of Philippians. That meant that he had no money to spend, no house to live in, and no means of transportation. He basically had nothing. However, he was still content. He understood that he could be content and continue to serve the Lord in his circumstances. The same is true for us. If we have the Lord in our lives, we can be content regardless of our circumstances as well.
FOLLOW UP ACTIVITY
In your own words, rewrite Philippians 4:11-13 on a piece of paper and read it at three different times today to help you remember to be content. If you’re leading your family through this devotion, lead each member to do the same exercise.
PRAYER FOR TODAY
Lord, help me be like the Apostle Paul and learn how to be content no matter what my circumstances. Help me to remember that I can do all things through You, the one who gives me strength.