| Introduction Love for God, living out what we say we believe, faithful obedience to the Word of God, serving others, prayerful hearts, and holy lives are true and accurate metrics that we must use to measure whether we are living a successful life. Today, Paul will help us complete our success-measuring toolkit by adding the last element: our attitude. What is your attitude in life? Is it one of grumbling, fear, self-centeredness, and judgmental negativity? Or, is your life characterized by contentment and selflessness? When Paul wrote the Epistle to the Philippians, he was nearing the end of his first Roman imprisonment. He had spent almost two years under house arrest. All the expenses related to his house arrest had to be met by Paul's own funds. In order to help him pay for those expenses the Philippians sent him a gift with Epaphroditus, their pastor. As Paul thanks the Philippians for their concern and thoughtfulness, he recognizes their selflessness and takes the time to teach them about contentment. A. The biblical words for contentment are also the biblical words for sufficiency. 2 Cor. 9:8 – And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work. 2 Cor. 12:9 – And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." 1 Tim. 6:8 – And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. Lk. 3:14 (John the Baptist speaking) – Likewise the soldiers asked him, saying, "And what shall we do?" So he said to them, "Do not intimidate anyone or accuse falsely, and be content with your wages." 1. According to J.B. Lightfoot, the idea of the Greek word for contentment is "independence of external situation." a. Independence, not because of some Stoic or Vulcan mindset. b. Independence because to live is Christ and to die is gain, 1:21. 2. The philosopher Socrates was asked who was the wealthiest person, to which he answered: "he who is content with least…." a. We could change Socrates's answer a bit and say that the wealthiest person is the one who holds the things of this world the loosest. b. Paul describes this idea elsewhere as looking at this life in light of the life to come. 2 Cor. 4:16-18 – Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. 17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, 18 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. B. Contentment is a thankful confidence that God is in control and that he is good. 1. Here we return to another part of our definition of success: believing what we say we believe. 2. We are quick to say that God is good, but do we really believe it? 3. That trust in God is essential for contentment. C. Contentment has very little to do with what we have or not have, and everything to do with our attitude toward what we have or not have, 12. Phil. 4:12 – 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. D. Let me share with you two complementary definitions of contentment from two giants of the faith. 1. Jeremiah Burroughs – Christian contentment is that sweet, inward, quiet, gracious frame of spirit, which freely submits to and delights in God's wise and fatherly disposal in every condition (and I add because of the cross of Christ) – The Rare Jewell of Christian Contentment 2. John Owen – Contentment is a gracious frame or disposition of mind, quiet and composed; without, [1.] Complaining… at God's providential disposals of our outward concerns; [2.] (without) All envy at the more prosperous conditions of others; [3.] (without) Fears and anxious cares about future supplies; and [4.] (without) Desires and designs of those things which a more plentiful condition than what we are in would supply us [with] – Commentary on Hebrews II. What Contentment Is Not A. Contentment is not numbness – Paul describes himself as a contented person, and he felt things very keenly. 2 Cor. 4:7-12 – But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. 8 We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed—10 always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. 11 For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus' sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. 12 So then death is working in us, but life in you. Phil. 7 – For we have great joy and consolation in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed by you, brother. B. Contentment is not complacency or laziness – Paul is content and yet he is striving hard to grow in Christ. Phil. 3:7-11 – But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. 8 Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; 10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, 11 if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. C. Being content doesn't mean settling for less. 1 Cor. 10:31 – Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Col. 3:23 – And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men…. Acts 20:31 – Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears. D. At the end of the day, the opposite of contentment is unbelief, fear, and covetousness. Heb. 13:5-6 – Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." 6 So we may boldly say: "The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?" III. Contentment Is Learned, 11. Phil 4:11 – Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content…. A. It is important we understand that contentment is learned for two reasons: 1. It is not natural in our sinful world – we have to work at it. 2. It is achievable – we can't hide behind personalities or tendencies. B. Paul learned several things – the word used for learning here implies experiential learning. 1. Paul learned to live humbly (be abased). 2. Paul learned to live in prosperity (abound). 3. Paul learned to face having what to eat. 4. Paul learned to face hunger. Phil. 4:12 – 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. C. How do we learn contentment? 1. By learning more of Christ. a. Paul was able to be content because of Christ, 13 – the word Christ shouldn't be here but it is clear that him refers to Christ. Phil. 4:13 – I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Jn. 15:5 – I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. b. The all things here does not include in this context athletic or academic achievements, a hard task at work, etc. c. All things include the work of being content – the ability to deal with all the providences God sends our way in a spirit of humble confidence in the goodness of God. 2. By being more excited about the life to come – to die is gain. 3. By realizing how great a sinner we are and how great a Savior Christ is. 1 Tim. 1:15 – This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. "… Christ will not be less strong and invincible in us also, if, conscious of our own weakness, we place reliance upon his power alone." John Calvin IV. Ultimately, The Contented Person Is the One Who Treasures Christ. A. If Christ is your treasure, then your heart is going to be in Christ, that is, what matters to you will be Christ and having him. Lk. 12:34 – For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. B. The Scriptures portray the search for contentment as the search for a great treasure. Mt. 13:44-46 – Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it. 1. Notice that, in order to secure the treasure, this person divested himself of all he had. 2. All that was left was the treasure itself. 3. That treasure is Christ. 2 Cor. 4:6-7 – For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. C. Contentment is not achieved by comparison because it will be based on what we have and others don't – "at least things are not as bad as they are over there" – we don't think that way. D. Contentment is achieved by having Christ and being satisfied with him. E. Contentment comes through building your life on Christ, not on something you want him to give you. 1. In Ps. 73, Asaph was getting angry with God because the wicked had everything: houses, chariots, clothes, etc. 2. He was serving the Lord and was getting nothing. 3. He was getting angrier and angrier till he realized that houses, chariots, clothes, etc. was all that the wicked had. He had God. Ps. 73:25-28 – Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You. My flesh and my heart fail; but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. For indeed, those who are far from You shall perish; You have destroyed all those who desert You for harlotry. But it is good for me to draw near to God; I have put my trust in the Lord God, that I may declare all Your works. V. Contentment Is Closely Related to Selflessness. A. Though Paul was content in whatever situation, he was truly thankful for the gift from the Philippians because it demonstrated the work of the Spirit in them, namely, their selflessness, 14. Phil 4:14 – Nevertheless you have done well that you shared in my distress. B. An implication of this passage is that the help the Philippians gave Paul put them in a difficult financial position where they had to deny themselves in order to be able help Paul, 19 – supply all your need. Phil. 4:19 – And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. C. Notice that not only did the Philippians supported Paul financially, but they also sent their own pastor to go minister to Paul in Rome, 18. Phil 4:18 – Indeed I have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God. D. Selflessness requires a belief that God will supply all the needs we truly have, 19-20. Phil 4:19-20 – And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. 20 Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen. E. Selflessness is demonstrated in genuine interest in other people like the Philippians demonstrated toward Paul. F. There is no such thing as a contented person who is also selfish. 1. Selfishness or self-centeredness is the opposite of contentment. 2. The reason that is the case is that the selfish person will never be satisfied with anything, at least not for any length of time.
Are you a successful person? Are you content with Jesus? That is where success in this life and the life to come is.
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