A New Interior Atmosphere

"But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned before, but you lacked opportunity. Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. Nevertheless, you have done well to share with me in my affliction" Philippians 4:10-14 NASB

Paul is delighted that the folk in Philippi have, once again, sent him help. What form that help took, we are not privy to. It might have been simply the sending of people to help, or food, or financial help. Whatever it was, it came at a good time and Paul is grateful. This entire letter to this group of people was prompted through this gift to him. According to verse 15 this group has supported him ever since he founded the church in Philippi. (Acts 16:11-40) 

So now he uses these facts to do a "teaching moment" from his heart. "Not that I speak from want,..." or "Not that I speak from need..." depending upon your translation. This passage is often used to teach us that we "need" to learn contentment. While that is here, that understanding will miss the point of the passage and we will forever be failing at trying to be content. Most of us have really worked at that in the past, quite unsuccessfully. There is a reason it has not succeeded. You see, contentment is a bi-product.

As we study Scripture, one of the things we learn to do is to determine "which is a cause of what." There are some things, like the fruit of the Spirit, that are simply by-products of something else. As long as we "work" to produce the bi-product, it will feel (and is) an impossible task. However, when we see the Word rightly, then this is not hard at all but rather a way of being that empowers contentment - always.

Paul says he has no needs, or wants. The reason he is content is that he doesn't not need anything. How can this be? As he explains through the Holy Spirit, he has learned that no matter what his circumstances are - because he has the Lord Jesus, he has no need of anything. It is a way of "seeing" circumstances.

He continues to say that he knows how to be poor, rich, filled, hungry, in abundance and suffering need - yet in all this - he has no need because he has Jesus who gives him strength. His God is sufficient.

The very beginning understanding of our God is that he is sufficient. He not only moves in our circumstances to change them, he also creates an interior atmosphere within us that is content even when circumstances are contrary to comfort or are painful. We use "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me," for all matters of things, and that is alright I suppose. However, Paul used it specifically to deal with his attitude and feelings about his circumstances. This is not a passive approach, but rather a deeply spiritual inner condition.

Our Lord is sufficient for all things. He hears all our prayers for change and relief, and moves, many times, miraculously to change them. Yet whether or not change comes immediately or not, we can in the Holy Spirit, be very content in what is and move as blessings within the circumstances. This is our empowerment in Him.