MARCH 29, Philippians 4:10-13

To feel content is to feel that your desire is satisfied to its limit. To be contented is to desire what you have. A doctor once told this writer that Singaporeans are never content. They are always complaining about one thing or another. As far as we know, Apostle Paul never once complained about anything. Not about food, nor about bad treatment, nor the shipwrecks, nor his prison conditions. He was convinced that all things happened for the best. God is always in control.

Paul was filled with joy in all circumstances. He had learnt to be content with everything that happened to him, regardless of whether they were good or bad. To Paul, everything was good because God has a purpose for everything that happened to him.

Paul was convinced that he could do all things because Christ gave him strength. To live and suffer for Christ, he must live depending on Christ’s strength. He faced admiration and humiliation, fullness and hunger, abundance and poverty with the same sense of dependence on Christ.

The Bible says that “godliness with contentment is great gain”. Don’t you wish to experience great gain? Think and do like Paul did.

a. Write down a list of things or people you used to complain about:

1. _________________________________________________

2. _________________________________________________

3. _________________________________________________

b. Now pray and ask God for forgiveness and for help to stop complaining and to begin thanking God for them.

c. After you have prayed, use a pen to strike them off your list. Rejoice over the clean slate!

Thought: Godliness with contentment is great gain (1Timothy 6:6)

Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me to be content and grateful for all You have given to me. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.