Secret Of Contentment

Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content.

Philippians 4:11

A man named Agur once prayed a prayer that most moderns would find curious: “Give me neither poverty nor riches—feed me with the food allotted to me; lest I be full and deny You, and say, ‘Who is the LORD?’ Or lest I be poor and steal, and profane the name of my God” (Proverbs 30:8–9).

Most people today want to avoid poverty (though not for Agur’s reason), but who in our materialistic day prays to avoid riches? Agur knew something that people today have missed completely: riches have the potential for being a trap and a source of ruin.

The apostle Paul knew what Agur knew; he had learned the secret of contentment. Paul was comfortable with having little and with having a lot because he believed that God was his provider. Because his eyes were fixed on heavenly things, he could be content with whatever earthly things God gave him.

The next time you lose your material contentment, remind yourself of who owns it all and how He’s promised to provide. Contentment is an excellent indicator of what we think about God and His will.