What is it that you run to when times get tough? Is your contentment connected to your circumstances? So often we link our experiences with how we should feel. Join us in a series through the book of Philippians that reveals what it takes to be content in a discontented world.
Week 1 || Jesus Is The Center
Monday Devotional
And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. – Philippians 1:6
Greek:
ἔργον ἀγαθὸν /ergon agathon: work that is good
Why It Matters:
Philippi was a Roman colony that was full of military veterans, current soldiers, business people and proud Roman citizens. Their identity was wrapped up in hard work- whether it be their nationalism or their culture. The good work mentioned in Philippians 1:6 is a singular tense phrase that refers to God’s specific work of salvation in the individual believer. So God is creating a people for His name in Philippi. But that means they would no longer be able to base their identity on anything other than the “ergon agathon” that God promises to complete in them. Jesus is the center of that good work, which is actually the good news of the gospel. May we be people who refuse to base our identity on anything but Jesus’ good work in us.
Declaration of the Week
Because Jesus is the center of my life, who I am is defined by the good work He promises to bring to completion in me.
Application
How does Jesus being my center change every sphere of influence I have?
Wednesday Devotional
And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. – Philippians 1:6
Greek
ἐπιτελέσει /epitelesei: complete, to accomplish
Why It Matters
Paul dictated his letter to Timothy as he sat bound by chains in a Roman prison. He was beaten and sent there for claiming Jesus was the actual one true king and Lord, not Caesar. With that as a backdrop, it makes sense to hear Paul uncertain about his future – when he would be sentenced, whether he would die there, etc. That’s why it’s so encouraging to hear Paul’s confidence in the future for the church at Philippi. He knows Jesus is the center of their faith and He has begun a good work in them, so his confidence is in Jesus’ faithfulness to complete (epitelesei) what He started. Nothing can stop God’s work: not persecution, imprisonment or other hardship. The word Paul uses means a singular act of definite future accomplishment. There’s no doubt it’s going to happen! With that same confidence, may we move forward with the calling God has given us.
Declaration of the Week
Because Jesus is the center of my life, who I am is defined by the good work He promises to bring to completion in me.
Application
How does Jesus being my center change every sphere of influence I have?
Friday Devotional
And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. – Philippians 1:6
Greek
ἄχρι ἡμέρας Χριστοῦ Ἰησοῦ /acri hemeras Christou Iesou: until (at) the day of Jesus Christ
Why It Matters
The world we live in has the tendency to want to lull us to sleep. It distracts us with trivial things that keep our eyes off the important. Paul rightfully reminds us that our future hope- the day of Jesus Christ- is so important that to lose sight of it is to lose a piece of our identity as Christians. The gospel declares that Jesus accomplished the work of salvation (past), and because that is true we can look forward to his second coming (future). So what does that mean for the present? This little phrase at (or until) the day of Jesus Christ answers that for us. We don’t have to wait until we see Jesus face to face in order to have hope! Until that day, God is constantly and regularly working a good work in you, daily bringing you another step closer to the completion of His work. Today matters! How will you show off Christ’s work?
Declaration of the Week
Because Jesus is the center of my life, who I am is defined by the good work He promises to bring to completion in me.
Application
How does Jesus being my center change every sphere of influence I have?
Week 2 || The Gospel Is The Way
Monday Devotional
And I want you to know, my dear brothers and sisters, that everything that has happened to me here has helped to spread the Good News. – Philippians 1:12
Greek
συνέβησαν/sunebaysan: what has happened
Why It Matters
In the New Testament, this word is used to describe how God uses every happening for his plans. No circumstance or trial is too difficult for Him to redeem, and Paul’s use of “sunebaysan” communicates this. When he writes this sentence from prison, his readers would certainly be reminded of characters like Joseph and Daniel. Although prison was a part of their story, God used “what had happened” to them to bring glory to Himself. Paul wanted his friends to know that prison was a small price to pay for the advancement of the Gospel. As we allow the Gospel to shape us, we are free to experience contentment regardless of where we find ourselves.
Declaration of the Week
I believe the Gospel is the way to contentment, so I refuse to allow anything else to direct my thoughts and emotions.
Application
How does the Gospel change my perspective on my situation?
Wednesday Devotional
And I want you to know, my dear brothers and sisters, that everything that has happened to me here has helped to spread the Good News. – Philippians 1:12
Greek
μᾶλλον εἰς προκοπὴν τοῦ εὐαγγελίου/mallon eis prokopein tou euangeliou: the greater progress of the gospel
Why It Matters
Money in the bank. The best neighborhood. A great retirement plan. Security is something that we crave and fashion our whole lives around obtaining. We think once we have this temporary security, that we will have contentment within our lives. The truth is, security is only found when Jesus and the work of the Gospel is the center of our lives. The ultimate security is being able to understand that God is at work in all situations, whether those situations are good or bad. If we place what Jesus did on the cross at the center of our minds, hearts and desires, our blessings become incredible gifts from God that we celebrate with Gospel-centered motives. Our struggles become moments where we pause and recognize that God is at work, progressing the Gospel (prokopein tou euangeliou) forward into a world that so desperately needs Him.
Declaration of the Week
I believe the Gospel is the way to contentment, so I refuse to allow anything else to direct my thoughts and emotions.
Application
How does the Gospel change my perspective on my situation?
Friday Devotional
The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel.
– Philippians 1:16
Greek
εἰς ἀπολογίαν τοῦ εὐαγγελίου/eis apologian tou euangeliou: the defense of the gospel
Why It Matters
We get some real insight into how Paul approaches his life in this little Greek phrase. He says that he knows he has been placed in his difficult situation for the defense (apologian) of the Gospel (tou euangeliou). Apologian literally means “a speech in defense of a subject,” and it is where our english word apologetics comes from. So Paul’s outlook on his own life is that it is to be used as an apologetic for the Gospel! Imagine approaching every situation, every day as if the way you live your life will speak volumes about the reality of the Good News of Jesus. It’s almost as if you can hear Paul saying “God can use my life as a case for Gospel truth anywhere He pleases.” Talk about a perspective change.
Declaration of the Week
I believe the Gospel is the way to contentment, so I refuse to allow anything else to direct my thoughts and emotions.
Application
How does the Gospel change my perspective on my situation?
Week 3 || To Live Is Christ
Monday Devotional
For I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance.
Philippians 1:19
Greek
τοῦτό μοι ἀποβήσεται εἰς σωτηρίαν/touto mou apobesetai eis soterian: for me, this will turn out for salvation
Why It Matters
The Bible that Paul used was a Greek translation of the Old Testament called the Septuagint. In fact, this portion of verse 19 is the same phrase used in Job 13:16 in the Septuagint. Job was saying that he was confident in being delivered from his trouble, not because he was righteous but because he was connected to God. Paul takes it one step further by declaring that his hope is in the One who left Heaven to be connected to us. Notice the difference? Paul also links his deliverance with the prayers being offered for him by his friends. Their concern for his deliverance leads to partnering in prayer with the Spirit of Jesus Christ to accomplish this. So no matter what Paul endures, he is trusting in Christ’s work and grateful for the partnership of his friends. My prayers often reveal what I’m living for. Inward focused prayers are fine (and quite often necessary), but they have the tendency to make clear what I’m hoping will bring about my deliverance: a better job, bigger closets, etc. Is my prayer life creating a partnership with the Spirit of Him who brings salvation?
Declaration of the Week
I believe that contentment is found in living for Christ, not in the circumstances I find myself in.
Application
How does living for Christ impact my relationships?
Wednesday Devotional
As it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death.
Philippians 1:20
Greek
μεγαλυνθήσεται Χριστὸς ἐν τῷ σώματί μου/megalunthesetai Christos en to somati mou: Christ declared great in my body
Why It Matters
This is the second time in five verses that we see Paul’s desire for his life to preach a gospel message. Megaluno is a verb that means I enlarge or magnify something. Paul’s life will not be used for comfort or pleasure, but for enlarging Christ among the palace guard and the rest of the world. Your life is preaching something too. The question is, what message are the people around you hearing from the way you live? As you megalunthesetai (declare to be great) Christ Jesus with your life, you will also find contentment in keeping Him the center.
Declaration of the Week
I believe that contentment is found in living for Christ, not in the circumstances I find myself in.
Application
How does living for Christ impact my relationships?
Friday Devotional
For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
Philippians 1:21
Greek
κέρδος/kerdos: gain
Why It Matters
This use of the word gain is only found in three places in the New Testament, and two of them are in Philippians (3:7 too). Both times Paul uses it to compare anything this world offers with Christ. Incredibly, death is considered gain compared to life, all because Jesus stands on the other side of it. The tense of kerdos here doesn’t just mean gain as in better than the other option. Rather, it is connected to the idea of treasure or wealth. So Paul is saying more than simply “to live is Christ and to die is the better choice;” he means to say that when he dies he will receive that treasure which is most important to him. With that perspective, many things that cause us fear, such as disease or death are stripped of their power to intimidate us. Ironically then, the thing that we should most be afraid of isn’t death; it’s placing our hope for kerdos in something that death can rob us of.
Declaration of the Week
I believe that contentment is found in living for Christ, not in the circumstances I find myself in.
Application
How does living for Christ impact my relationships?
Week 4 || Gospel Unity
Monday Devotional
Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, – Philippians 1:27
Greek
συναθλοῦντες/sunathlountes: striving side by side
Why It Matters
Paul knew his audience. He was writing to a city that was a hub for current and former war veterans from the Roman military. So challenging the Philippians to live a life WORTHY of the Gospel would conjure up images of individual honor and heroism. But the use of the word sunathlountes dispels that myth. This word literally means shoulder to shoulder on the same team. A life worthy of the Gospel would look like a life lived in unity with people who are striving for the same goal. Like an army battalion or even a sports team, it’s all about the goal that can’t be achieved by just one person. We need each other. Imagine the chaos in an army whose soldiers were striving for different goals. There is no room for competing goals amongst Gospel people either. The Good News of Jesus is the aim of our life!
Declaration of the Week
God is producing in me the kind of attitude that celebrates the victories of others and rejoices in Christ’s work that unites us.
Application
How can the proper attitude bring me to a deeper place of contentment?
Wednesday Devotional
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves – Philippians 2:3
Greek
ἐριθείαν/eritheian: selfish ambition
Why It Matters
At first glance this phrase selfish ambition seems obvious and self-explanatory. We are taught at a young age to not be selfish. But Paul’s use of the word eritheian cuts deeper than just not putting yourself first. In fact, there are times when the mom who wants to care for her kids well should be a little “selfish.” If your batteries are not recharged, how are you going to have enough energy for those who count on you? Eritheian comes from the Greek word for factions, or division. With that in mind, Paul is teaching us that our ambition should never do anything to create division, but unity. And as we commit to the rest of the verse (count others more significant than yourselves) we start to see them as teammates whose success can be celebrated, taking on the attitude that Christ exhibited toward us.
Declaration of the Week
God is producing in me the kind of attitude that celebrates the victories of others and rejoices in Christ’s work that unites us.
Application
How can the proper attitude bring me to a deeper place of contentment?
Friday Devotional
Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others – Philippians 2:4
Greek
σκοποῦντες/skopountes: To take aim at, to mark, focus on
Why It Matters
If you were to shoot at a target, using a scope would help you aim more accurately. A scope lines up and sharpens the focus of the one looking through it. When Paul prepares to write about the attitude and character of Jesus, he prefaces it by telling his readers to skopountes, or take aim at, the interests of others along with your own. Like a scope, we are to focus intently on caring for the people in our world. But as we will see in the next verses, the motivation for taking aim at this target is to imitate Jesus, who thought of us when He said yes to His Father’s plan. Leaving Heaven and taking on human likeness, Jesus put our salvation in His scope and took aim at the cross. Thank God He never misses the mark!
Declaration of the Week
God is producing in me the kind of attitude that celebrates the victories of others and rejoices in Christ’s work that unites us.
Application
How can the proper attitude bring me to a deeper place of contentment?
Week 5 || Christ-Centered Mindset
Monday Devotional
Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, – Philippians 2:5
Greek
φρονεῖτε/phroneite: Mindset, set your affections on
Why It Matters
This is the introduction to one of the Bible’s most beautiful passages on the nature of Jesus. Paul begins to paint a picture of the attitude that Jesus had as He said yes to His Father’s will, left Heaven and came to earth for our salvation. The Philippians have already heard a tense of this word in 1:7 as Paul reported that it was right for him to feel (phronein) joy toward this church because he held them in his heart. Isn’t it interesting that the verb to feel and the word for mind have the same root? In our western thinking we often separate the two, with feelings on one side and our minds on the other. But as Paul is encouraging us to have the same phroneite among ourselves as Jesus had, he is telling us to have our feelings and our thinking line up in a way that produces a mindset, or an attitude. Easier said than done! But the way we are best able to do that is by looking to Jesus, whose grandeur and beauty affects our feeling and whose eternal plan impacts our minds. These two parts seamlessly come together in Paul’s hymn to Jesus in Philippians 2:5-11.
Declaration of the Week
As Christ is the center, I commit to aligning my feelings and my mind to be the kind of person that God can use for His glory.
Application
What can I do today to grow in an others-focused mindset?
Wednesday Devotional
who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, – Philippians 2:6
Greek
ἁρπαγμὸν/harpagmon: a thing to hang on to
Why It Matters
This word reminds us that Jesus didn’t make excuses. He had a freedom of will to accomplish salvation for us, or to claim what was His and say no to His Father’s plan. Harpagmon means that equality with God was a reality for Jesus that was His to use to His advantage. Even though it was in His rights to refuse to leave Heaven, Jesus’ equality with God was not harpagmon- something He would grab onto. When it comes to saying yes to the will of God the Father, there are so many excuses I can come up with. These excuses may even be legitimate and rightfully mine to hold on to. But as I see Jesus letting go of what belonged to Him for my rescue, I am less inclined to see my rights as something to be grasped. My kingdom is leveled in favor of the joy of partnering with His.
Declaration of the Week
As Christ is the center, I commit to aligning my feelings and my mind to be the kind of person that God can use for His glory.
Application
What can I do today to grow in an others-focused mindset?
Friday Devotional
And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. – Philippians 2:8
Greek
ἐταπείνωσεν/etapeinosen: to bring low, humble
Why It Matters
Roman culture paid little attention to anyone they considered lowly. The poor, crippled, women and foreigners all were treated with much less respect and honor than a typical male Roman citizen. The goal was to rank “higher” in culture than those around you. It is to this world that Jesus arrives and says things like “he who etapeinosen (humbles) himself will be exalted” (Luke 14:11). Paul tells us here that Jesus lived out His own advice by doubly humbling Himself, first by being found in human form, then by agreeing to death by crucifixion. In a culture that avoided etapeinosen at all costs, Jesus chose to be brought low. The content of contentment for Him was doing God’s will, even though it meant humility. It is counterintuitive to think that the way to build a kingdom is to be brought low, but Jesus is really good at changing people’s perspectives. How has He done that in your world?
Declaration of the Week
As Christ is the center, I commit to aligning my feelings and my mind to be the kind of person that God can use for His glory.
Application
What can I do today to grow in an others-focused mindset?
Week 6 || Obedience to the Gospel
Monday Devotional
Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, – Philippians 2:12
Greek
ὑπηκούσατε/hupokousate: To listen attentively; obey
Why It Matters
Obedience is a fairly major theme that runs throughout the Bible. It’s a verb, or action word, and it implies that obedience requires us to do something. The Greek brings out a unique aspect of this idea because the word hupokousate literally means “to act on something you have listened intently to.” After Paul pens his incredible poem to the nature of Christ, his next thoughts center on what to do after “listening intently” to the beauty of the gospel. He commends them for acting in obedience to the gospel whether Paul was present or not, then reminds them (and us) that obedience stems from what Jesus has already done! This is the Good News Paul is in prison for preaching – that our obedience doesn’t earn us salvation but rather our salvation has been earned by the obedience of Jesus. Now, our responsibility is to listen intently to Jesus and imitate His obedience. Why? So that in our obedience we point to the One whose work can put ours in the proper perspective.
Declaration of the Week
Because Jesus was obedient on my behalf, I will position myself to listen intently to His voice and act on what I hear.
Application
The gospel is calling me to be obedient by addressing this issue in my life
Wednesday Devotional
for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. – Philippians 2:13
Greek
ἐνεργεῖν/energein: To work effectively, with a purpose
Why It Matters
Have you ever started a project you were really excited about, only to let an excuse keep you from finishing it? Or what about working hard to lose a certain amount of pounds only to step on the scale and… you know the rest. Expending lots of energy on something that never materializes can be frustrating and incredibly disheartening. But the Greek word for work Paul uses here expresses the opposite of that! Energein (where we get our word “energy”) is a verb meaning to work, but in a way that produces results. God works (energein) in us to will and to work (energein) for His good pleasure, meaning the result is never in doubt! You can rest assured that His work will always accomplish what it sets out to do, which is to contribute to His good pleasure. Our contentment can be based on His work, not on our effectiveness.
Declaration of the Week
Because Jesus was obedient on my behalf, I will position myself to listen intently to His voice and act on what I hear.
Application
The gospel is calling me to be obedient by addressing this issue in my life
Friday Devotional
For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. – Philippians 2:21
Greek
ζητοῦσιν/zetousin: To seek after, pursue.
Why It Matters
When an object is used for something it was never intended for, the results can be horrific, hilarious, or both! A screwdriver used as a key in my car’s ignition was funny; a set of keys used as a baseball was not (ask Claude). The Bible is clear that we have a purpose too. Ours is to worship the Living God, and when we seek after anything else as our purpose, we’ll be discontent. Timothy was commended because he was concerned about the welfare of the Philippians and therefore was in line with Christ. Paul says everyone else was inclined to seek (zetousin) their own interests. Deeper than simply “looking for,” this word is connected to the idea of worship. We are actively looking to worship, and what most people seek to worship is their own interests, not Jesus. Are you seeking something specific? Chances are what you seek is where you will worship. Contentment is found when we do what we are designed to do!
Declaration of the Week
Because Jesus was obedient on my behalf, I will position myself to listen intently to His voice and act on what I hear.
Application
The gospel is calling me to be obedient by addressing this issue in my life
Week 7 || Just One Thing
Monday Devotional
But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. – Philippians 3:7
Greek
ζημίαν/zemian: to injure or damage
Why It Matters
Joy in a prison? To die is gain? It seems that up to this point in Philippians Paul enjoys expressing himself in a way that appears contrary to expectation. He has a unique viewpoint that he hopes his readers will adopt as well. That viewpoint continues here with zemian. Rather than saying that what he once considered good is now bad, Paul drives home the idea that what he once thought was helpful is actually damaging. Damaging to what? To his desire to know Christ above all else. Think of a ship full of cargo. The ship is full of gain (supplies, goods, etc.), but if the ship hits a reef and begins to sink, that cargo would be zemian. The new focus would be to stay afloat or alive, in which case the cargo would be thrown overboard without a thought. That’s the idea Paul is conveying here. Jesus has changed the circumstance of his life so drastically that what was gain is now damaging to this new cause.
Declaration of the Week
Regardless of what life has thrown my way, I will choose knowing Christ above all other pursuits.
Application
What is something I can do this week to refocus my attention toward what matters most?
Wednesday Devotional
Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ – Philippians 3:8
Greek
σκύβαλα/skubala: “what is thrown to the dogs”, refuse or dung
Why It Matters
Paul considers the things he has lost for the sake of Christ skubala (rubbish). Etymologists believe this Greek word came from a combination of words that create the phrase “garbage you throw to the dogs.” Dogs were unclean, undomesticated and synonymous with filth. So Paul uses this word to express serious disdain – the worst of the worst – for anything and everything compared to knowing Jesus. In fact this word is so borderline offensive (think swear word) that it only occurs in the Bible right here. Strong language for an apostle, but it perfectly expresses his passion to know Jesus. Paul has suffered the loss of his career, friendships, and even his freedom, but they were skubala anyway compared to a relationship with Christ. When you lose something in your life, how does it change your perspective?
Declaration of the Week
Regardless of what life has thrown my way, I will choose knowing Christ above all other pursuits.
Application
What is something I can do this week to refocus my attention toward what matters most?
Friday Devotional
I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. – Philippians 3:14
Greek
διώκω/dioko: to pursue or persecute
Why It Matters
This verse reminds me of hide and seek. We’ve most likely all played the game with a child who lost interest after a minute… or less! It can’t be described as fun if there is no pursuit during the game. To pursue and to persecute are “two sides of the same coin” and come from the same Greek word. Pursuit is a verb that means to follow (someone or something) in order to catch or attack them. Persecute is a verb that means to harass or annoy persistently. Paul is telling the Philippians that he will dioko toward his goal with the imagery that he is bent on persistently attacking it. This isn’t something he passively hopes he will achieve; this is an active verb! Paul is intentionally pursuing the prize of his life in a way that could be described as annoying. How aggressively are you pursuing Christ?
Declaration of the Week
Regardless of what life has thrown my way, I will choose knowing Christ above all other pursuits.
Application
What is something I can do this week to refocus my attention toward what matters most?
Week 8 || Strength of the Gospel
Monday Devotional
Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; – Philippians 4:5
Greek
ἐπιεικὲς/Epeekais: To relax overly strict standards
Why It Matters
Many of us are moved by thoughts or questions that put life in perspective. Country music artists have made lots of money writing about how little kids grow up too fast and asking what really matters when you’re on your deathbed. Books have been written about how the importance of relationships is enhanced the longer a person lives. Paul brings this way of thinking into perspective by commanding the Philippians to let their epeekais – reasonableness – be known to everyone. Sometimes rendered as gentleness, the word literally means to relax your standards! But don’t worry, it’s referring to standards that are set in the wrong place, either too high or misguided. So be known as the person who gives grace at work, and who is patient with difficult people. Why? “Because the Lord extends grace to us…He is patient with us. Allow these truths to inform your day.
Declaration of the Week
I believe that because of Jesus, I can be content regardless of the situation.
Application
What situation am I currently in that needs the contentment of the Gospel?
Wednesday Devotional
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. – Philippians 4:5
Greek
Philippians 4:8 (SBLGNT): λογίζεσθε/logidzethe: to take an inventory, reckon
Why It Matters
Paul has just finished telling the Philippians that they shouldn’t be anxious for anything and that the peace of God will guard their hearts in Jesus. Then he begins to tell them what they should focus on. Paul is not giving a moralistic list of what the Philippians should aspire to. The list he gives is not exhaustive but an indicator of what we should allow to occupy our minds and therefore, our hearts. Every word he uses indicates a posture of the heart that would give Jesus ultimate authority in our lives and because of that, we will be inclined to think about things that give Him the ultimate honor. The original word for think (logidzethe) here means reckon or take into account, not simply think “the right” thoughts. This is an encouragement to remember things from our pasts, our present, in our culture and in our own spiritual journey that are lovely or pure or righteous. He asking us to dwell on the goodness of God in those settings and what that goodness has meant to us in our lives. So as we are living out our lives, let us always take into account the ways that God has moved in us, through us and around us. Let’s think about the times that God has been faithful, the 11th hour miracles that God has provided and His goodness in even extending His grace to us.
Declaration of the Week
I believe that because of Jesus, I can be content regardless of the situation.
Application
What situation am I currently in that needs the contentment of the Gospel?
Friday Devotional
Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. – Philippians 4:11
Greek
αὐτάρκης/autarkes: Self-complacent, content
Why It Matters
The easy assumption that many of us make is that discontentment is circumstantial. For example we can easily think “I’m unhappy because of my job, my house, my health, etc.” When we believe this, any contented person in “worse” situations than us is either super spiritual or super naïve (or both!). But Paul declares that he has learned in whatever situation he is in to be content. Does that mean he enjoys being persecuted or in chains? Definitely not. However, he does want to convey that contentment has nothing to do with circumstances. It’s interesting to note that the Greek word autarkes can be rendered “self-complacent.” In other words, it doesn’t matter to me what situation I find myself in because that’s not where I derive my contentment from anyway. Therefore, without justification for my bad attitude, I’m faced with a sobering question: in moments of weakness, where do I derive my strength?
Declaration of the Week
I believe that because of Jesus, I can be content regardless of the situation.
Application
What situation am I currently in that needs the contentment of the Gospel?