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Philippians 4:11 says, “Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content.”

No matter how many times I read this verse, I find myself challenged, encouraged, and even humbled by Paul’s words. This was not a statement written from comfort or ease. Paul wrote these words while imprisoned, yet he could still say that he had learned to be content in whatever circumstance he found himself in.

If we are honest, this does not come naturally to us. Our flesh is often restless. Our desires are not easily satisfied. We can find ourselves always reaching for more, believing that if we just had a little more money, a better situation, a different season, or fewer struggles, then we would finally have peace.

But notice the word Paul uses, “learned.” Contentment was not automatic for him. It was something God taught him through experience. Paul had walked through seasons of abundance and seasons of lack. He knew what it was to have much, and he knew what it was to have little. Yet through it all, he learned that when he had Christ, he had enough.

A few verses earlier, in Philippians 4:9, Paul encourages the church to continue practicing what they had learned, received, heard, and seen in him. He then says, “and the God of peace will be with you.” In other words, there is a connection between following godly examples, practicing truth, and walking in the peace of God.

When God’s peace is ruling in your heart, contentment begins to grow. You begin to realize that your joy is not rooted in what you possess, but in Who possesses you. Your security is not in your circumstances, but in Christ who is with you in every circumstance.

Too often, when we are in a season of little, we begin to covet and desire more. We think more will fill us with joy. But if you are in Christ, even in a season of little, you are still rich because you have Him. As 2 Corinthians 8:9 reminds us, “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich.”

But contentment is not only tested in lack. It is also tested in abundance. Many people think abundance will solve every problem, but often abundance brings more responsibilities, more distractions, and more things competing for our attention. As the late 90’s rapper Biggie Smalls famously said, “More money, more problems.” There is truth in that. Sometimes the more we have, the more we must guard our hearts from being pulled away from what matters most.

So the question is not only, “Can I trust Christ when I have little?” The question is also, “Can I remain content in Christ when I have much?”

Paul says in the very next verse in Philippians 4:12 (Amplified Bible), “I know how to get along and live humbly [in difficult times], and I also know how to enjoy abundance and live in prosperity. In any and every circumstance I have learned the secret [of facing life], whether well-fed or going hungry, whether having an abundance or being in need.”

Church, my prayer is that we will continue learning this holy contentment. May we grow to say with Paul, “In Christ, I have enough.” Whether in lack or abundance, whether in ease or difficulty, may our hearts rest in the sufficiency of Jesus.

Love you Church,

Pastor Lu