CONTENTEMENT
19th Jul 2023
In Philippians 4:11-12 Paul states, “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation.”
I am reading a book by Gbile Akanni about how we receive God’s resources for life and ministry. What he says about being content, as a principle of being in the right place to receive what we need from God, is challenging and very significant.
I quote: “Contentment is a voluntary, joyful acceptance of whatsoever state a man is.” in a later paragraph he says, “When a servant of God is actually contented with whatsoever state he is, he cannot be pulled here and there into rivalry and competition.” Another challenging statement, “Are there things you are addicted to? It is an indication that you have not learnt contentment. A contented person is not addicted to anything.”
These are strong declarations and I have needed to search my own heart and ensure that I am truly living in contentment. I believe that both Joyce and I have learned many of these lessons over the years.
At one time we were ‘in the red’ in our bank account, and God challenged us to economise radically until we were out of debt. We entered a very strict financial regime on ever level. Our food became very simple. A young man who came and asked whether he could live with us for a while was shocked to find our new lifestyle. We ate a lot of porridge! He thought we were well off, and had been given a box groceries that he had not brought with him, this was quickly retrieved as he joined us in this new way of living! We did it willingly and peacefully in obedience to God.
When I was travelling in South Africa with Colin Urquhart we were travelling from place to place, with Colin preaching each night. Just as we were leaving Port Elizabeth, and saying goodbye to our hosts, they had forgotten my name, which was embarrassing and humiliating. I needed to go to God, and learn from Him that He knew why I was there, I didn’t need human affirmation or status.
We have known what it is to be in need, and also have known times plenty. Our aim is to live ‘being content in any and every situation’.
The key lesson Gbile is teaching is that we cannot really exercise faith and receive God’s provision when we are ‘discontented’ and at odds with how life is treating us.
by Charles Sibthorpe
