To be contented is to be thankful and grateful for the state or condition that we are in. We are usually contented with the way we are in our spiritual realm, but often struggle to be contented with the physical, material part of our life.

1.  Be contented in self (Phil 4:10-11)

We have to be contented in how the LORD has made us and what He has entrusted us with. The Philippian Christians were very mindful and concerned to make sure Apostle Paul had enough financially for his life as a missionary. But they came to a point where they “lacked opportunity” (Phil 4:10). And when they were able to give again, Paul wrote to encourage them that he understood that they wanted to give but were not able to until then when they were able to give again. Paul had taught the Philippian church to care for those who preached the gospel, yet he made it very clear that he was teaching them this not because he wanted them to give to him (Phil 4:11). Paul had learnt to be contented when he did not receive financial help. This lesson of contentment is learnt again and again, because our circumstances will keep changing; and discontentment can creep in unannounced. When he said “in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content” (Phil 4:11), he was saying that contentment had to be learned by the individual himself because contentment (or discontentment) is between the individual believer and God. The best doctrine to help us to be contented in whatsoever state we are in is the sovereignty of God. He is in control of our state. We trust that He will always do us good and take care of us, whatever our state.

2.  Be contented in all conditions (Phil 4:12)

Apostle Paul knew how to conduct himself and not murmur because he saw the hand of God in whatever that happened to him. When abounding, he knew how to be grateful, thankful and not be selfish. When abased and he did not have anything, he knew how to accept the situation. With God in our lives, we know how to be contented.

3.  Be contented in Christ (Phil 4:13)

We can be contented in self and in all conditions only when we have contentment in Christ. The Lord can strengthen us in everything, and we must trust that He can do that. Paul trusted the Lord and thus he could say, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Phil 4:13). In our life of service and witness, our Lord equips us to be able to go through whatever state and condition. He knows our measure of faith.

Our contentment is rooted and anchored in our salvation in the Lord Jesus Christ.