Living in Peace and Contentment

Background Scripture: Philippians 4
Lesson Scripture: Philippians 4:1–13

Introduction

We live in a world where many people are not at rest. We observe unhappiness, dissatisfaction, distrust, and turmoil all around us. We hear of strife and division in governments as well as conflicts and wars in many places of the world. Much of the news we read is continually negative. We are living in the troubled time that Jesus spoke of in Matthew 24:6–7.

God has provided a better way of living for a Christian. May we open our minds and prepare our hearts for the peace and contentment that can be ours. To receive this gift, we must place our trust and confidence in God who loves us with an unfathomable love.

Key Verse

But godliness with contentment is great gain (1 Tim. 6:6).

Lesson Scripture

Studying the Lesson

When Paul penned this letter to the church at Philippi, he was decidedly different from Saul, the man who was overcome by a light from heaven on the road to Damascus. Saul was born in Tarsus as a Roman citizen, raised by a father who was a Pharisee, and sent to Jerusalem to study under the tutelage of the renowned rabbi, Gamaliel. Convinced that followers of Jesus were a hindrance to Judaism, he gave himself to the persecution of the Christians. He tried to extinguish what he considered blasphemy and went toward Damascus with an agenda. Sincere and zealous though he was, he would have never found satisfaction, fulfillment, or lasting peace in the way he was going.

On the way to Damascus a great light shone on Saul, and he fell to the ground blind, asking for direction. In Jesus’s message to him, he recognized his folly and surrendered to Him, the One whom he had been resisting.

The new life he experienced after his conversion became precious to him, although it was far from a life of ease. In his letter to the church at Corinth, Paul described some of the trials and oppositions he experienced. “Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; in journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; in weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness” (2 Cor. 11:24–27). Despite all he had suffered, he had learned to be content in any condition.

Thought patterns have an enormous impact on life’s outlook, and the lesson text aptly describes how that when we place our trust and confidence in God, we have a humble and contented heart. Recognizing God’s goodness makes us thankful, which fosters contentment.

Practical Truths for Today

People often feel that if they could just acquire something they anticipate, whether a piece of land, equipment, a new vehicle, or whatever it is they long for, they would be satisfied. Does it ever work that way? Likely not. Inevitably, when one desire is filled, another takes its place. We look around and see those who are continuing to add to their possessions but are always needing more. We hear the saying that “the grass is greener on the other side of the fence.” But those who cross the fence find their discontentment still with them. Contentment is never reached by accumulating things of this earth.

We will also be discontented if we compare ourselves with others who appear to have a better life than we do. Perhaps we see things working well financially for a fellow brother, while we are struggling. From our perspective, everything seems to fall into place for him, and it seems we have one misfortune after another. When visiting in a home where all is new and up-to-date, while our home is well-used and looking somewhat dated, we can become dissatisfied. Some are envious at the abilities they see in others and feel that they will never measure up. We are inclined to compare ourselves with those whom we perceive have it better than us. When we thank God for how well He has blessed us, we become contented with what we have.

Because of our depravity, resistance may develop in our hearts toward others; it may be against our spouse, our brother, the church, or even God. We may also rebel against our circumstances. We may be tempted to think, “Why can’t I have a normal life? Why do I have to deal with this situation?” Seasons of difficulty are common to all, and unless we give these troubles and questions to God, we will lose our quiet spirit and peaceful heart. Contentment is only found when we accept our circumstances, even as Paul did. This does not mean we can never try to better our situation, but we must yield our will to God and let Him control our life.

The key verse declares godliness with contentment to be great gain. It is not speaking of material gain but of gain measured by spiritual fulfillment. Contentment brings moderation and consistency to everything in our life. We are not swayed by the ideology of the world but are content with what we have. There are times when things will need to be replaced and tools and equipment will need to be upgraded; however, we are not under pressure to keep up with our neighbors and peers. Although our forefathers had no choice but to live within their means, today loans are offered freely. However, payback often becomes a burden. When we must buy on time, we should consider what our motives are for borrowing against the future. Is discontentment what starts us down the road that often causes us financial stress? Honestly admitting and repenting from a lack of contentment will help us avoid future difficulties.

When the children of Israel were under heavy oppression in Egypt, “the Lord said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows” (Exod. 3:7). We read of the many miraculous ways God cared for them. He opened the Red Sea to pass through and caused the Egyptians pursuing them to be drowned. As they traveled, He sent food from heaven, furnished water from a rock, and led them with a cloud in the day and a pillar of fire at night. Yet they continued to complain, wishing they were slaves back in Egypt. Their lack of trust in God kept all those over twenty years old from entering the promised land—they died in the wilderness. The high cost of their murmuring and complaining was tragic, but it serves as a lesson for us on what discontentment and lack of trust can lead to.

True contentment is the beautiful plant that grows only in the garden of complete trust in God. We must realize and accept that God is in control, and his plan is always in our best interest. While our vision is obscured by earthly clutter, God sees from an eternal perspective. We live in true contentment when our “life is hid with Christ in God” (Col. 3:3). No longer do we seek fulfillment in earthly things, but we enjoy the peace that God alone can give.

Questions

1. What is the fruit of a contented heart?
2. Improvements are not inherently wrong. How do we know when our desires for change are pure?
3. When unfortunate circumstances come our way, we usually question, “Why me?” instead of, “Why not me?” Discuss.
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Source: COGICM Daily Bible Readings (Daily Bible Readings, PO Box 124, Glenn, CA 95943).