Content In All Circumstances
Message Summary:
In today’s message, Pastor John continued to teach us about the Laws of Giving and Receiving. In this passage of scripture, Paul is teaching the Philippians something he learned from his own experience. He has learned how to abase and to abound. He had learned how to go without, and he had learned how to live in prosperity. We have to learn to hope for more, and how to endure when we have lack. Essentially, Paul was teaching them how to navigate the economic, material cycles of life. God doesn’t promise us an absence of struggle, but if we learn to trust him and his provision, he will teach us how not to be connected emotionally to the financial and material world around us. We don’t have to have more than enough to be at peace, and we don’t have to worry when we don’t know how we are going to pay the bills.
The important lesson that Paul had learned that he was teaching the Philippians was how to be content in any situation of life. The word content doesn’t mean to be passively accepting. It means having the internal strength and power to face whatever adversary we face within ourselves. We have what is needed to face what we are dealing with within us. God in us is more than enough to enable us to survive, thrive and overcome any enemy that comes against us. It is a strength inside to face and deal with whatever is in front of you, especially economic realities (financial abundance or lack). We can learn, over time, how to live inside of economic cycles and still be free from economic fear.
Naturally, when we experience a lack, we feel like we are being reduced or going backward. There is an emotion connected to that, and that emotion becomes shame. In this culture where money is so important, there is a lot of shame surrounding the fluctuations of our finances. That shame can drive us to lie, hide, avoid, and even overspend. When we don’t face the reality of our emotions surrounding lack, we tend to cater to shame. We must learn how to mentally and emotionally embrace the financial position we are in so that we can learn how to take what we have in our hands to position ourselves for future blessings. Everyone has times when they both abase and abound. It is the natural up and down of life. We have to be aware of the shame cycle in all circumstances, so we don’t hide from our reality when we should trust God and hope for his best to manifest in our lives.
Scriptures:
[Philippians 4:10-13 NKJV] 10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity. 11 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: 12 I 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. 13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Discussion Questions:
What does it mean to abase, and what does it mean to abound?
Why do we feel shame when we experience lack?
What is the biblical definition of contentment?
How can we experience contentment in whatever financial cycle we are in?
In this passage, what does it mean that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us?
Life Application:
Over the next week, as you study the key scriptures, ask yourself: Are you content in the financial cycle of life you are in right now? Whether you are experiencing lack or abundance, are you trusting the Lord to be your provider? No matter what you are experiencing, God is with you in it. You are never alone. God knows what you need. Don’t entertain shame if you aren’t where you want to be yet. Continue to daily confess faith in the Lord to provide all your needs. Lean into him, knowing he is making a way for you right where you are now.