Day 18: Contentment

Philippians 4:12 (NIV) 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, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.

Most of us are not that familiar with severe hunger or a sustained lack of basic provisions. The fact is that in general we are well fed and have more than enough. So why are we often less than content?

For one thing, we live in a culture of discontent. The message we constantly hear is that we need more and deserve better than we have right now. Our sinful nature also weighs in with envy and greed, invoking the “why-should-I-have-less-than-them” question. We tend to compare what we have with our neighbors’ goods rather than focusing on the manifold goodness of God already evident in our lives. If we do not resist this mentality it will goad us into an ungodly attitude of ingratitude and entitlement.

The Apostle Paul indicates that contentment is a “secret” we can learn. Paul’s dependence on and trust in God’s provision regardless of the circumstances seems to be a key to this secret. He did not allow the amount of earthly resources at his disposal—whether he had a lot or very little at any given time—to dictate the level of his contentment. This was already predetermined through his faith in the all-sufficient Savior (see Philippians 4:19).

Fasting helps us learn this secret, training us to find contentment and complete satisfaction in the God “who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment” (1 Timothy 6:17). It reminds us that we can live without, for a time, even the basics of life, but we ultimately trust in God’s unfailing grace for everything He knows we need.

Prayer: Lord, we confess that we are often restless and discontented. Teach us the sufficiency and great satisfaction of knowing You and enjoying Your abundant provision, rather than always striving for something more or something else. May we demonstrate our trust in You by living contentedly in any and every circumstance. In Jesus’ name. Amen.