I Am Content

by Hugh DeLong

Whenever we hear this phrase, we connect it with Philippians:

“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” (Philippians 4:11-13)

Yet Paul also uses it in II Corinthians 12:10:

"Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong."

I believe that we can learn a bit more about Paul’s attitude towards contentment here. Such contentment is not to be equated with being in a tranquil state of peace and ease. It doesn’t indicate inactivity or rest. Rather, I understand that Paul was willing (content) to serve the Lord no matter what the circumstances. Riches? Poverty? Joyful times? Being persecuted for the Lord? Yes – yes to all. In all these circumstances, Paul served the Lord faithfully.

None of these situations are easy or even desirable. Yet, in all these situations, one can be a servant of Jesus. These circumstances give us a different way to be lights in a dark world. These circumstances allow us to meet and teach people we would otherwise never meet. By serving Christ in such times and maintaining the principles He has set before us, we can be greater lights than when living a life of ease and comfort.

The trick is to realize that ‘content’ should be equated with being faithful to the Lord during dark and difficult days. Thus, being content ‘in prosperity’, being ‘filled’, and ‘having abundance’ is not really different in this respect from being content in poverty, hunger, and suffering need. Both situations require of us to be faithful to Christ. In all circumstances of life we are to seek first the Kingdom of God and its righteousness. In all circumstances of life we are to seek to be pleasing unto the Lord: “Therefore we also have as our ambition, whether at home (in the body) or absent (to the body), to be pleasing to Him” (II Corinthians 5:9).

Are you content to serve the Lord in every circumstance that life may find you?