(REFLECTIONS ON Philippians 4:10-23)

In today’s Scripture, Paul writes,

11 Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. 12 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. 13 I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.

Paul has learned to be content in whatever circumstances he is in. Isn’t this something that we all hope and desire to have, especially when we face a world that is ever moving and ever changing?

Wouldn’t it be great to be content no matter whether things are going smoothly or are rocky, whether we have much or have little? Wouldn’t this change our focus in life? Rather than chasing after people, places, and things that we hope will temporarily change our countenance, we can grab hold of the One who keeps us content in whatever circumstances we are in.

So what is this secret? What has Paul learned that teaches him how to get along with humble means, to live in prosperity, and to be content in any and every circumstance? It is that he can do all things through his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, who strengthens him.

The secret is Jesus Christ as the Lord of his life, and that “I no longer live, but Christ lives in me” (Galatians 2:20). The secret of learning to be content in whatever circumstances we are in is Christ and giving Him authority over our lives as Lord and allowing Christ to live in us.

Interestingly, Paul doesn’t just say that he has learned to be content with humble means, in going hungry, and in suffering need, but that he has also learned to live in prosperity, being filled, and having abundance.

Brothers and sisters, Paul is showing us the way not only to have our desires and needs met when we are lacking, but also not to lose ourselves in prosperity and abundance. The fact that Christ lives in him means that he has already given his life to Christ. Therefore, neither great need nor great abundance will take control of his life, because his life is Christ.

“I can do all things through Him who strengthens me” means that we can be content even when we are lacking, when things don’t go our way, or when it seems that all the world is against us at once. It also means that we will never be slaves to prosperity and abundance. Christ gives us the strength to keep control of our desires despite our covetous and envious nature, and also the strength to not become proud or full of ourselves when success comes our way.

Let us then learn, as Paul learned, to be content in whatever circumstances we are in, because we can do all things through Christ, who gives us strength.

Pastor Michael Lu
Enduring Word Bible Commentary: Philippians 4