SEP 24

Proverbs 30:7-9
Memorise Philippians 4:11-12
"I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound”

Hitherto we have been talking a lot about the idea of contentment, as the antithesis to covetousness. We know that instead of being covetous, we ought to be content with what God has given us in life. However we ask, what does it really mean to be content?

The words of Agur in Proverbs 30:7-9 gives us an amazing insight into the thinking of one who truly desired true contentment in life. He made this excellent prayer, which asked for neither poverty nor riches and to have food that is just enough to satisfy him. He wanted to have neither too much nor too little, so he wouldn’t swing to either extreme, to be so rich he forgets God, or to be so poor he is desperate and forced to steal and blame God. Such are the thoughts of a man who has really understood contentment.

The Apostle Paul in Philippians 4:11-12 also, describes his state of mind when discussing his status in prison, “Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need”. No matter where Paul was, whether it be in prison or out there in the mission field serving God, he knew that so long as he was in the will of Christ, it was the best possible place he could be. Thus he said that in all things and everywhere, he knew how to be content. He knew what was the right way to respond in difficult times, where he would be abased, be hungry and suffer need; but also how to abound in prosperous times when he would be full and sufficiently provided for. Thus he said he has learnt, that in whatsoever state that he was in, he has learnt how to be content. Realise of course that he was writing this amazing letter from prison – not a very pleasant place at all. He was there because of his love and devotion for Christ. Yet there was not a single word of complaint from him, but only abundant joy, and a delight in the fact that because he is in prison, more people are preaching the gospel (Philippians 1:12-18), and also that he has an opportunity to witness to those in Caesar’s household.

May we learn from these 2 examples as to what it means to be content.

Thought: Would I really be content if my life took a turn for the worse?
Prayer: Lord, help me be like these men, to seek after contentment in whatsoever state that I find myself in.