Philippians 4:11-13
"Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in
whatsoever state I
am, therewith to be content. (12) I know both how to be abased, and
I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed
both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
(13) I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."

Paul was writing to the church at Philippi. Paul was in Prison when
he wrote this letter. (Phil 1:13) And he was writing to encourage
the Christians at Philippi. And even though he was writing from
prison, Paul made this statement "I have learned in whatsoever state
I am in to be **content**". Isn't this some thing that we should
desire? I know that I do, although I don't do as good as I would
like to sometimes.

Paul says that he has *learned* in whatsoever state he was in to be
content. The word *learned* in the original is the thought
of "learning by experience". When the Apostle Paul was converted
Jesus said this about Paul to Annanias "I will show him how much he
must *suffer* for my name's sake". Paul was called to be an Apostle,
but he was also called to suffer. Paul had persecuted the Church of
Jesus Christ prior to his conversion. Now he was preaching the
gospel he tried to stop before his conversion. And Paul suffered
many things. He says that he has learned to abound (have much) and
to suffer need (not have enough). Paul's life was one of being
persecuted and chased from place to place. He was left for dead one
time. He was beaten with the rod. They tried to kill him at times.
He was beaten and put into prison with his hands and feet is stocks.
And in this position he sang hymns.

What are some of the things we may be called to go through? And some
of these things some of you "are" going through.
Being misunderstood by friends and relatives about your desire to
obey the Bible. Sometimes we are made fun of and ridiculed. I know
of some who have to withstand an almost constant barrage of ridicule
and persecution for obeying the bible and wanting to live for Jesus
Christ.

I have to ask myself the question sometimes. Am I content where the
Lord has place me? Am I content with what the Lord has given me? Am
I content with my lot in life? Am I content with what I have in the
material realm? I am finding it easier to be content now than I was
many years ago.

God has worked in my life and He is still working. He isn't done
with me yet. But I hope that I'm closer to what He wants me to
be than I was 25 years ago and even last year.

Now I'm not saying that we should not be striving to do more for the
Lord. I'm not saying that we are not to be working to pay for what
we have. But what is the driving force that is moving me to do what
I am doing. It is just because I am *dissatisfied* with what
I have, or is it a definite need that I have. It is not wrong to get
ahead.
But when our "goal" to get ahead conflicts and crowds our time with
the Lord and our service for Him, we have our priorities wrong.

A simple illustration might be this. Some of the happiest children I
know are those who have a few toys and have learned to appreciate
them. As the Proverb writer says "He that loveth silver shall not be
satisfied with silver".

May we all be like the Paul when he said "I have learned that in
whatsoever state I am in therewith to be content".

God bless each one of you real good.

Freedombmc