Philippians 4:10-14
The Paradox of Discontent

I rejoice in the Lord greatly that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned for me, but had no opportunity to show it. Not that I am referring to being in need; for I have learned to be content with whatever I have. I know what it is to have little, and I know what it is to have plenty. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being well-fed and of going hungry, of having plenty and of being in need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. In any case, it was kind of you to share my distress.

New Revised Standard Version

Bill asked me an interesting question, "Aren't we as Christians supposed to be content? I don't know that I'll ever achieve that."

I agreed with his statement. There are so many things in my life that I would like to be different! Some of them I know could be sinful diversions to my Walk--a newer car, a faster computer, and a better digital camera all fight for the top of that list. As we talked, though, we both agreed we should never be content with the strength of our faith and satisfied with our holiness. There must be something different in what Paul wrote and what we meant when we used the work "content".

The Greek language gives us that answer. The word that we in modern times would most literally associate with "content" is the Greek word aikeo. However, the word Paul used in this passage was autarkes, which is the combination of the words autos and aikeo. That word autos we see today in words like "automobile", which moves itself, and "automatic", which happens by itself. The Greek word Paul used means "auto-sufficient", providing from inside, rather than outside, the means to be content.

What a strange concept! Am I supposed to get my new camera from inside me? Of course not. Instead, I will make the choice, I will decide in my inmost heart, to be satisfied with the camera I already have.

That by itself isn't good enough, however. Paul was very good at being "auto-sufficient", but so were the Greek Stoics. Dr. Archibald Robertson, writing about this passage, provided a quote from Socrates, identifying the one who was the wealthiest as "he that is content with least, for autarkeia is nature's wealth." The Stoics were content in seeking redemption through denying one's self, but it could not be found merely in denial. Paul provides the complete picture a chapter earlier, where in Phillipians 3:13-14 he talks about forgetting what is behind and reaching toward what is ahead, and to pursue, to chase, to press toward the mark for the high calling of God.

There is no "contentment" in Paul's feeling about following God's will! There is an eagerness, an aggressiveness, an urgency, even a hunger, to do the will of God and work toward fulfilling the calling of God. Paul cautions us that it is a lifelong pursuit, for we will never reach perfection in our Walk, but we will throw ourselves into the effort to achieve that perfection.

In that pursuit is the reason for the "auto-sufficiency". We can chase after possessions, like new cars, computers, and cameras, or we can chase after God's will for our lives. When the two are the same, that's great! When the two are different, as they often are, we need to grow the self-discipline to accept with contentment what we already possess, so that we can focus our energies on what is eternally important.

Take a look at your prayer list this week. What on your list appears to be looking for earthly contentment from what is outside you? Change your prayer and ask that God would teach you to be content in whatever your earthly circumstance, so that you can pursue your heavenly treasure with all your focus.