There is something innately mysterious about secrets. To know something that is not widely known attracts us. From early childhood we are attuned to the whispered words "I'll tell you a secret."
In Philippians 4:12 a technical term meaning "to initiate into the mysteries"occurs - the only place in the NT where it is used. It was a term used in certain religious cults and Paul borrows it just this once.
The apostle Paul is writing from his own experience in prison, explaining that he has "learned the mystery" or "the secret" of being content in all circumstances. Although Philippians is a well known NT book, and though contentment is mentioned right next to an often quoted verse, the secret of contentment still seems to be "a mystery" to a lot of believers. And in our market driven, consumer oriented, advertising saturated culture, most businesses and governments don't want you to learn and enjoy this secret.
When so many of us live with serious discontent; when our culture seems to cultivate the attitude that enough is "just a little bit more"; how do we as believers develop an attitude of contentment? How do we truly live "satisfied with our lot in life" financially and otherwise?
Paul provides several parts of an answer to this question in the immediate context of testifying about his contentment. First, notice that this comes just after He has given us the great verses on prayer and peace. If we practice the discipline of taking our needs to God with thanksgiving (which indicates some degree of faith), we are promised an amazing sense of God's peace. This seems to me to be very close to the feeling/attitude of contentment.
Second, this testimony comes just after challenging us to fill our minds with thoughts that are "true, noble, right, pure, lovely and admirable". Learn to consistently think this way will surely increase our contentment.
Third, still in the immediate context, Paul affirms "I can do everything through Him who gives me strength." This verse has been twisted and stretched to apply to almost anything and everything. It has been claimed as an almost "Think it and you will do it." But in the context, it seems Paul is most likely referring to the fact that God has given and will give him (and us) the strength to serve God well through both easy times and difficult times; times when we have a lot and times when we have little.
Fourth, and finally for this short post, Paul provides a wonderful promise to his immediate readers. The Philippian believers had apparently sent a very generous gift to him. Perhaps it was even more than they could logically afford to give (4:15 - 19). So he assures them: "And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus." (20) His supply is unlimited in Christ Jesus. He will provide all our needs (not greeds) and in that we should indeed find contentment.
The road to a life of contentment is quite clear in this and other passages of Scripture. No insurance company, no investment portfolio, no government assurances; nothing can provide the contentment that God offers for us to enjoy every day.
In Philippians 4:12 a technical term meaning "to initiate into the mysteries"occurs - the only place in the NT where it is used. It was a term used in certain religious cults and Paul borrows it just this once.
The apostle Paul is writing from his own experience in prison, explaining that he has "learned the mystery" or "the secret" of being content in all circumstances. Although Philippians is a well known NT book, and though contentment is mentioned right next to an often quoted verse, the secret of contentment still seems to be "a mystery" to a lot of believers. And in our market driven, consumer oriented, advertising saturated culture, most businesses and governments don't want you to learn and enjoy this secret.
When so many of us live with serious discontent; when our culture seems to cultivate the attitude that enough is "just a little bit more"; how do we as believers develop an attitude of contentment? How do we truly live "satisfied with our lot in life" financially and otherwise?
Paul provides several parts of an answer to this question in the immediate context of testifying about his contentment. First, notice that this comes just after He has given us the great verses on prayer and peace. If we practice the discipline of taking our needs to God with thanksgiving (which indicates some degree of faith), we are promised an amazing sense of God's peace. This seems to me to be very close to the feeling/attitude of contentment.
Second, this testimony comes just after challenging us to fill our minds with thoughts that are "true, noble, right, pure, lovely and admirable". Learn to consistently think this way will surely increase our contentment.
Third, still in the immediate context, Paul affirms "I can do everything through Him who gives me strength." This verse has been twisted and stretched to apply to almost anything and everything. It has been claimed as an almost "Think it and you will do it." But in the context, it seems Paul is most likely referring to the fact that God has given and will give him (and us) the strength to serve God well through both easy times and difficult times; times when we have a lot and times when we have little.
Fourth, and finally for this short post, Paul provides a wonderful promise to his immediate readers. The Philippian believers had apparently sent a very generous gift to him. Perhaps it was even more than they could logically afford to give (4:15 - 19). So he assures them: "And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus." (20) His supply is unlimited in Christ Jesus. He will provide all our needs (not greeds) and in that we should indeed find contentment.
The road to a life of contentment is quite clear in this and other passages of Scripture. No insurance company, no investment portfolio, no government assurances; nothing can provide the contentment that God offers for us to enjoy every day.
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