The Secret of Contentment: Philippians 4:10-20

I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it.

Paul smiled as he dictated. Epaphroditus had arrived from Philippi carrying their gift. After all these months—provision had come.

At last. Not a rebuke but a rejoicing. You renewed your concern. You had always been concerned—Paul knew that. The opportunity had been lacking, not the love.

I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.

Not in need. Paul wasn't fishing for more. The acknowledgment of their gift wasn't a hint for future giving.

I have learned. Contentment wasn't natural. It was learned. Paul had gone to school on this. Graduated slowly. Through hunger and plenty, through prison and freedom, he had learned.

To be content. Autarkes—self-sufficient, but not in the Stoic sense of needing nothing. Content because of what he had in Christ.

Whatever the circumstances. Any circumstances. All circumstances. Content.

I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty.

Both sides of the ledger. Paul had been hungry. Paul had been full. He knew need from the inside—not just theory but experience.

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.

The secret. Musterion—mystery knowledge, initiation into the inner reality. Paul had been initiated into the secret of contentment.

Any and every situation. No exceptions. No circumstances that defeated him.

I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

The secret revealed. Not self-sufficiency. Christ-sufficiency. I can do all this—be content in any circumstance—through him. Through Christ. Who gives me strength. Present tense, continuous supply.

The Stoic said: "I can do all things through my own discipline." Paul said: "Through him who gives me strength." The difference was everything.

Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles.

Paul pivoted back to their gift. Yet—he wasn't ungrateful. It was good—kalos, noble, beautiful. Their sharing was a beautiful thing.

Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only.

The history recounted. In the early days—when Paul first left Philippi, heading to Thessalonica and beyond. Not one church shared. Nobody supported him financially. Except you only.

The Philippians had been partners from the beginning. Sole partners. Faithful when everyone else was silent.

For even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid more than once when I was in need.

Even in Thessalonica. Close by, soon after leaving. More than once. Repeated giving. They knew he had needs, and they met them.

Not that I desire your gifts; what I desire is that more be credited to your account.

Not that I desire your gifts. Paul wasn't after their money. What he desired was their blessing. More credited to your account. Their giving was an investment that paid eternal dividends.

I have received full payment and have more than enough.

Full payment. Business language. The account was settled. More than enough—overflowing.

I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent.

Epaphroditus—the messenger who nearly died on the journey. He had made it. The gifts were delivered. Paul was amply supplied.

They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God.

Fragrant offering. The Old Testament language of sacrifice. Their financial gift was worship. An acceptable sacrifice. Not just tolerated but accepted, welcomed. Pleasing to God. Their generosity delighted the Father.

And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.

The promise. My God—personal, relational, known. Will meet all your needs. All. Not some. Not most. All.

According to the riches of his glory. Not according to the poverty of your situation but according to his riches. His resources were unlimited. His glory was the measure.

In Christ Jesus. The location of provision. Everything came in Christ.

To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

The doxology. Glory to God. Forever. The letter was ending as it should—with worship.

Paul set down his pen. The gift had come. The contentment remained. The God who gave strength in all circumstances would meet all their needs.

The secret wasn't a technique. The secret was a Person.

Christ was the secret.

Christ was enough.