Philippians 4:10–13 (HCSB): 

10 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that once again you renewed your care for me. You were, in fact, concerned about me but lacked the opportunity to show it. 11 I don’t say this out of need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. 12 I know both how to have a little, and I know how to have a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content—whether well fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need. 13 I am able to do all things through Him who strengthens me. 

This passage of Scripture is filled with the idea of contentment and peace. I would say that it could be the central theme of this passage. The word for “content” in verse 11 is found only here in all the Bible. It means to have enough. It means to not be in want for anything. Contentment is a key issue in our world society at this moment. Don’t you think? 

People everywhere are wanting and searching to find contentment right now. But even non-Christian thinkers say the way we will be content is to just desire less. But is that really what Paul is talking about here. Paul demonstrates in these verses that the Christian way of contentment is much different. So, what does Paul say about Christian contentment? 

Peace and Contentment is gained by Remembering God’s care for you (10)

Whether you realize it or not God is most often using your daily routine to bring about His perfect will for your life. We don’t often think this way, but through the smallest and seemingly unimportant things God will use to bring us closer to Him. Some may refer to this as God’s invisible hand working in our circumstances because we as humans don’t think in terms of God working in the small things in our lives. That is why in this passage, Paul reminds us to remember God’s providence in all our circumstances. 

Peace and Contentment is gained by us Refusing to focus on our circumstances (11-12)

It seems Paul might of been facing some kind of financial distress in this passage but even in the midst of that he said, “I am not in want.” He said, “I have learned to be content.” Being content is a process and growth in our lives. It is not a one time deal. We need to learn it over and over again. What did Paul say he was learning?

Paul said he was learning that contentment didn’t come by him experiencing the right circumstances. He learned to enjoy peace and contentment in spite of his circumstances. Just because he was going through something uncomfortable or even harsh, it would not control the peace he had in God. He learned that his circumstances were like the waves of the ocean, they come and go where they please and he didn’t always have control of that. It could be stormy one day and sunny the next. 

The secret to not being controlled by our circumstances is to be controlled by Christ. The key here is not that we just settle for what’s left over but we desire Christ!

Peace and Contentment is gained by us Relying on God’s strength (13)

Verse 13 is probably one of the most well known verses in the Bible. I know it is one of my favorites. But this verse does not promise that we will never have trouble in our lives. It also does not promise we will have superhuman power to overcome and overpower everything that stands in our way. In other words we will not become Superman. But it does mean that we will have the power to serve Christ faithfully in every circumstance. We are trusting and resting in Him for everything.