"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." Phil. 4:12
This verse came to mind during a conversation I had over lunch, with a friend from work. We had just come back from a perfect day of flying. The sky was blue; the wind was calm; the air was smooth. It was just as he prayed it would be, and as much of a perfect day for flying as could be asked. When we landed he took me for a tour of his house before we went out to eat and during such time, he mentioned a few times about how blessed he was, and indeed he had every reason to say so.
I have had many spiritual conversations with him at work, and so it was not out of place for us to have one even then. He started by telling me of a pastor who had preached on the subject of grief, and how it is natural for us to grieve the fellowship, even though we would rejoice knowing they are in heaven.
I said that it reminded me of what Paul had said, that "we grieve, but not as those without hope." Pretty good from memory, considering the verse from 1 Thess 4:13 says: "But I would not have you to be ignorant, brothers, concerning them which are asleep, that you sorrow not, even as others which have no hope." I posed the question then whether there was even more of a purpose that God might have by our human grief over the passing of someone from this earth. I did not have an immediate answer myself, but it is to consider that nothing of God is without purpose, and not always having to do with just this earthly existence. To sum it up rather crudely one might say we are Training for Reigning.
The point being that there is a purpose to our Spiritual existence that is enhanced by our human existence! Thus the connection to our being On A Human Journey.
I then reminded him of his saying that he was blessed because of all the good things that God had provided for him, and then I asked him the same question I silently asked myself. My question was whether he would consider himself still blessed if God took it all away? Do we only count ourselves blessed because of material wealth, and a life of ease? - Consider Job.
That was when several verses came to mind. The one mentioned above, and also Luke 12:15 "And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth." What I was thinking about this verse was not that he was being covetous, but rather that the abundance of things we possess is not always a true indication of God's blessings, and the lack thereof is not an indication; as many think; that God is withholding His blessings. God's blessings are really not about abundant possessions, but rather to be content whether in abundance or in want.
As I was speaking to him, it was more for my consideration than for his. I am definitely not Being Content In Any And Every Situation. I am certainly not suffering with lack, but I have not been very content lately even with abundance! If we trust in abundance, then it is never enough to satisfy! How much IS enough?
Well, how high are your expectations? 1 Tim. 6:8 "And having food and raiment let us be therewith content." This does not include the latest electronic gadget, nor even affording flying lessons! Ouch. :-) But it does reduce things to the basis for Being Content In Any And Every Situation.
In the Sermon on the Mount recorded in Matthew 6 Jesus tells us not to even worry about food and clothing! 31:Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? 32: (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knows that you have need of all these things." Then in verse 36: "Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient to the day is the evil thereof."
I cannot say that I have a complete balanced understanding of how all of these deep spiritual truths apply to our human existence. We are saving for retirement, not a lot, but some. We do have a reserve of money for emergencies but everything lately seems to be an emergency. We are paying our bills. Perhaps the full meaning is to not take undue thought for the future, so much so that it interferes with your trust in: "But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus." Phil. 4:19
Great wealth can be a blessing or a curse depending on the relationship one has with the Creator of the Universe. Great poverty can be a curse or a blessing for the same reason. All we have to do is to learn the same secret that Paul learned, and then it too will not matter whether we are abased or in abundance, because we have indeed learned how to Be Content In Any And Every Situation.
