Are you content?

9th October 2018
Malcolm Edmonds
Member of Park Baptist Church

                                      
How content are you; the apostle Paul had to learn to be content, it was not a natural character trait (distinguishing feature),  because of the situation he was in,  wrongly placed in prison, charged with sedition (rebellion against the authority of the state), treason, and other serious crimes.  Read  Philippians 4:11–13

Philippians 4:11-13 New International Version (NIV)
¹¹ I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. ¹² I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. 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. ¹³ I can do all this through him who gives me strength
 
We hope we will never have to experience what Paul went through.  Whatever our situation is at the moment we must learn to be content. Paul had a deep relationship with the lord, full of faith; therefore he did not need to worry.  Read v19

Philippians 4:19 New International Version (NIV)¹⁹ And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus
 
Contentment is not natural for any of us as the competitive spirit in us drives us to compare, to complain, and to covet (desire to have what someone else has)

Our Heavenly Father tells us “come to Me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28) but for some we know that they do not find this easy,  we will all struggle if we do things in our own strength we must continue at all times to have faith in our Lord
 
If you are worried and not content how is your relationship with God? I will leave that thought with you

Prayer:  God, You are so good! You have provided all we need and so much more, give us the grace to be content with what we have, knowing that without You we would have neither life nor breath.  Amen
 
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