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"I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content."

Text: Philippians 4:11

SHARING CANDIDLY

The Apostle Paul maintained a very strong and affectionate relationship with the Philippians. He bared his heart to them in his epistle. The epistle to the Philippians is arguably one of the most personal letters Paul wrote. He expressed great joy in the way the Philippians thought of him.

“Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have
learned in whatever state I am, to be content:
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 4:11-13

1. Hard lessons mastered

a) Paul had to learn the many vital lessons in his life and ministry.

b) He had to learn the difficult spiritual virtue called “contentment” (Greek “autarkes”; Cf. 1 Timothy 6:6).

2. Paul had achieved a deep sense of “contentment” in his life and ministry

a) In times of need.

b) In times of abasement.

c) In times of abounding.

d) In times of hunger.

e) In times of being full.

3. The lessons God wanted Paul to learn

a) These lessons could not be learned theoretically.

b) They had to be learned in real life.

c) God allowed Paul to experience highs and lows.

d) Through all of them, Paul had to learn how to be “contented” with his lot in life.

4. “I can do all things through Christ”

a) The Lord Jesus was near at hand to help him learn the lesson of contentment.

b) Contentment in life is one of the hardest lessons to master.

c) It is possible to master this lesson if we learn how to draw strength from the Lord Jesus Christ.

d) Contentment in this context has to do with material possessions. Paul was satisfied with his lot in life, whatever that state may be!