For this series in Philippians, I am going to limit each post to one verse, and hopefully produce a short, succinct read for my friends who follow.

4:12   I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.

In our last blog, we spoke of contentment

In the Christian life, I am convinced that contentment falls back onto our relation with the Lord and our understanding that His will is above our will. If we are constantly seeking our will, and struggling to attain our wishes, our wants, our desires, we cannot experience contentment.

Contentment has the meaning of being independent of external circumstances. As circumstances come into our lives, our very continuing dependence on the Lord is tested.

A tragedy coming into our lives may reveal a lack of correct dependence, and as such, should be considered a welcomed notification from our Father.

A more difficult circumstance is success. As we seek to be faithful to our God, others should see our desire to do things properly and correctly, and out of this recognition of character, may be provided greater responsibility and greater rewards for our service. The rewards are the problem, for we sometimes get distracted with the rewards and move away from a contented, well placed dependence on God.

One additional meaning of contentment is the realization that you are strong enough to need no aid or support from others.

This I fear is where the modern believer may suffer want. Not that we do not have all we need in our work or in our ministries, but that the tempting messages bombarding our senses every day teaches us we are not complete until we have the latest iPhone, or the fastest internet, or the tastiest hamburger.

To be content. It is a goal that we are constantly required to learn in this culture.

If you have a sense of contentment, you are a thankful person. If you do not live in a thankful spirit, check out your contentment meter.

You may be running on fumes!

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