I am not saying this out of need, for I have learned to be content regardless of my circumstances.Not that I speak because of lack, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content in it.Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therein to be content.
3 sermons cite this verse
… Verse 11, I've learned, Paul said, in whatever situation I am, I've learned to be content. Or in this context, you could read those words as, I've learned how to be happy. In this context, Paul would use happy and content interchangeably. Verse 12, Paul says, when I'm brought low, brought low through bad health, strained relationships, you didn't get the promotion. Or for Paul, you ended up in a prison sale abandoned by your friends. Paul said, even there, I can be happy. And when I abound, that is when everybody's singing my praises, the money is pouring in and all I can do is win, win, win, no matter what. Yeah, I can be content there too. Studies show that in 21st century America, we don't even know how to hold on to happiness in the abounding stage. And Paul says he can be happy even when he's in the non-abounding stage. Paul's hedonic treadmill runs at happiness. How? That's the question, right? But you don't notice back in verse four that this claim that he makes about himself, that he can be happy and joyful in all circumstances. In verse four, he turns that into a command for you and for me. Verse four, Rejoice in the Lord always. …
… we can find the same thing. Remember that Paul said that contentment must be learned. He said in Philippians 4 verse 11, I have learned, I have learned in whatsoever state I am therewith to be content. And again let me remind you of the definition of contentment. It is an inner sufficiency that keeps us at peace in spite of outward circumstances. Now four simple things. Here they are. Four things you can learn. Number one, learn to trust God. Look again in verse 1, blessed is everyone that feareth the Lord. If you don't do that, you're never going to be content. Godliness with contentment is great gain. Learn to trust the Lord. Have you done that? Do you have faith for your family? Is your family a God-centered family? No wonder you're discontent. You're like a square peg in a round hole. Number two, not only learn to trust, but number two, learn to thank. Don't be grumbly hateful, be humbly grateful. God has been so good to you. …
… Remember what the Apostle Paul said? I've learned in whatsoever state I am therewith to be content. I've learned to abound. And there's nothing wrong with abounding. Friend, if you're abounding today, if you've got plenty, I'm so grateful for you. That's wonderful. But just be content with it. I've learned to abound. I've learned to abase. But I've learned in whatsoever state I am, good or bad, rich or poor, I have learned to be content. Now the Bible is not against your having things. As a matter of fact, the Bible says, it is the Lord thy God that giveth thee power to get wealth. the Bible says God takes pleasure in the prosperity of a servant and every good gift and every perfect gift comes down from above from the father of lights in whom there's no bearableness the shadow of turning so it doesn't take poverty to learn contentment it doesn't take riches to learn contentment but we must learn contentment remember in that passage of Scripture in Philippians chapter 4 verse 11 Paul says, For I have learned in whatsoever state I am therewith to be content. …