Contentment

The following notes are from a sermon by John MacArthur on Philippians chapter 4 and the Apostle Paul's overall theme of contentment, "...for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content." (v. 11)

In this day and age, there is a massive assault on our contentment in the form of advertising. The goal of advertising is to make us discontent with what we have, or with our situation in life, and this discontentment feeds the disease of excessive consumption. Jesus tells us in Matthew chapter 6 not to worry about our lives, what we will eat or wear, but to seek His kingdom and His righteousness, and our Heavenly Father will supply our needs. Our discontentment is a serious sin because we are not satisfied with what God has given us. It also denies the right of God to do with us as He wills, and it denies the promise of God that He will never give us more than we can bear (I Cor. 10:13). When we're discontent, we fail to believe our situation is God's best for us according to His plan to conform us to the image of His Son (Romans 8:29).

MacArthur offers the following principles for Christians in developing a life of contentment:

1. Cultivate the love of others. Discontentment comes from self-preoccupation. Paul was preoccupied with sharing the gospel with people, and he was swept up in the fellowship with his brothers and sisters in Christ. No life circumstance (even imprisonment) affected Paul's contentment.

2. Cultivate a spirit of rejoicing. "Rejoice in the Lord always." (v. 4) The source of our joy in the Lord is our obedience (John 15:7ff). Happiness is a choice to trust in the promises of the Lord.

3. Learn to accept less than we're due. "Let your gentleness (generous spirit that rises above offenses) be known to all men." (v. 5) In humility, we should be willing to be mistreated without hostility, retaliation, or demanding our rights. Jesus provides the supreme example in that He was willing to accept much less than what He was due.

4. Cultivate a confident faith in the Lord. "The Lord is at hand." (v. 5) The Lord's personal presence is near to us in the person of the Holy Spirit. He promises to never leave us or forsake us. Our security comes from the nearness of the Lord and His sufficiency.

5. React to problems with thankful prayer. "Be anxious for nothing, but in prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.." (v. 6) Don't worry, pray instead. Our peace results from resting in the wisdom, power, and purposes of God. This inward tranquility protects our hearts and minds from discontentment.

6. Think on godly things. "Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy - meditate on these things." (v. 8) The more we think on godly things, the more content we will be. We should not fall into rehearsing in our minds all the things that are wrong (negative thinking).

7. Follow a good example. "The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you." (v. 9)