Contentment - Part 2

In Philippians 4:11, Paul writes that he has learned to be content in any situation. This suggests that contentment wasn’t a natural trait for him, but rather something he had to cultivate. Contentment is a journey for all believers, and it’s encouraging to know that Paul had to learn it and that we can too.

Last week, I mentioned Jeremiah Burroughs definition of Christian contentment as, “Christian contentment is that sweet, inward, quiet, gracious frame of spirit, which freely submits to and delights in God's wise and fatherly disposal in every condition.”

Instead of trying to unpack Burroughs’ definition, let use a simpler definition provided by Erik Raymond in his book, ‘Chasing Contentment.’ Raymond writes “contentment is the inward, gracious, quiet spirit that joyfully rests in God’s providence.” There are four facets to this definition. 

1.    Contentment comes from the inside out

2.    Contentment Is quiet

3.    Contentment is a work of grace

4.    Contentment joyfully rests in God’s providence

Contentment comes from the inside out

Contentment isn’t about external circumstances. We often think that if we could change our situation, we’d be happy. However, the truth is, we’re restless because we perceive difficulties. We focus on our jobs, health, relationships, children’s behaviour, church problems, and more, hoping these changes will improve our lives. But the Bible teaches us that Christian contentment comes from within and lasts through any situation, unlike external sources that are subject to change.

That’s why Paul and Silas, when they find themselves in Philippian jail after being beaten, are still able to rejoice and sing (Acts 16:19-24).

Contentment is quiet

Christian contentment doesn’t complain or grumble. It’s important to clarify that there’s a healthy type of biblical complaining.  It’s not about pretending everything is okay or good; we shouldn’t be insensitive to life’s difficulties. Instead, Christian contentment means recognizing the difficulties but finding rest in God amidst them.

Erik Raymond writes, “there is a difference between complaining to God (“How long, O Lord?”) and complaining about God. The first is supported by an enduring trust that God hears and loves. The second is betrayed by an eroding trust that God hears and loves.”

He offers this advice, “It may be helpful, when thinking about contentment, to ask those close to you if they think you often complain. Consider what you talk about. Inventory what you think about. Are you consistently embracing God’s goodness in the valleys as well as on the mountaintops? Contentment knows how to sing in the stocks as well as at the banquet feast.”

Contentment is a work of grace

Christian contentment is the inward working of God upon our hearts, a work of grace. It is not an act of will or something we can do on our own. 

In Paul’s time contentment was a key topic of ethical discussion from the time of Socrates. 

In Stoic philosophy it [contentment] denotes the one who “becomes an independent man sufficient to himself and in need of none else.” The goal for the Stoic was that “a man should be sufficient unto himself for all things, and able, by the power of his own will, to resist the force of circumstances.” . . . By the exercise of reason over emotions, the Stoic learns to be content. For the Stoic, emotional detachment is essential in order to be content.

Instead of achieving contentment through ‘will’ or ‘detachment’, the Christian learns contentment by being weak enough to be strengthened by grace.

Contentment joyfully rests in God’s providence

Understanding and embracing the doctrine of God’s providence is crucial for learning contentment. Providence teaches us that God is intimately involved in the world’s events. There is no such thing as chance, luck, or fate. Instead, we have an all-wise, loving, and powerful God who upholds, governs, and orders all things.

Let us understand contentment is inward as opposed to external. It is quiet rather than complaining. It is a work of grace rather than a result of human effort. It rests in God’s providence rather than complaining against him.

Pastor Kyu