The Secret of Contentment

translate verse twelve to read, “I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation.” (NIV) The idea expressed at the end of verse eleven and in verse twelve, literally means “I have learned the secret.” Paul tells us the he has learned the true secret to life and he wants to share it with them.
First, He tell us that Contentment is a Learned State. Contentment is not something that comes naturally. Paul said that he had to “learn to be content” (v.11)
Contentment then is learned. Paul’s content-ent was not instantaneous, it was the fruit of many years of faithful fellowship, learning from the experience that he could trust the Lord to provide what he needed.
Part of our problem is that we do not understand what contentment is nor where it is found. We have been taught to understand that contentment comes from People we know. “If I could Just hang out with the Right People?” But people never live up to our expectations.
We have been taught to understand that contentment comes from Positions we hold. “If I could just get the right job, that allows me to make the a good income, drive a nice car, live in a nice house, I would be content.” But what happens if we don’t get that job or we get it and lose it?
Contentment is reaching the state of mind that we are at peace with where we are and who we are in Christ.
Contentment then is a Learned State and …

Secondly, Contentment is Not Found in Possessions or Circumstances! (v. 12)
“ know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.”
Paul is saying that regardless of our circumstances, whether we have money or not, whether we have abundance or are in a very strained circumstances, we can still have contentment because the secret is something other than what we do or do not possess.
Paul later tells his son in the ministry, Timothy, (1Timothy 6:6-10), “Now godliness with contentment is great gain. (7) For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. (8) And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. (9) But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. (10) For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced them-selves through with many sorrows.”
Paul tells Timothy that we start with nothing and we end with nothing. So contentment is not about what we accumulate, it is about living with satisfaction one day after another.
In Hebrews 13:5, the author says, “Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have….”
Contentment Then Is Not Found in Possessions or Circumstances and …

Third, Contentment Comes From Learning To Appreciate What We Have in Jesus Christ. (v. 13)
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
That phrase is actually one word in the original Greek and Paul wrote it twice. That means that it is something that Paul wanted his readers to really notice. He is saying, “I can do all things, I really can!” True contentment comes from living life under-standing that everything pales in comparison to knowing Christ. Discontent often comes from feeling