(Php. 4:11) Not that I speak according to need, for I have learned to be content in whatever state I am.

With respect to what Paul experienced in his life as an Apostle of Christ, he has the right to tell us that he had learned to be content in whatever situation he had.

Being content doesn’t only mean being satisfied with what we have, but able to endure anything that comes to us. This is evident in Paul’s citations of his experiences as a preacher of the Gospel of Christ. He learned to be content and endure everything because he knows that all his deeds are not wasted.

(1 Cor. 4:11-12) Even until this present hour we both hunger and thirst and are naked and are buffeted and have no certain dwelling place. And we labor, working with our own hands. Being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it; Here, Paul learned to be content both in hunger and in thirst.

People nowadays always complain on everything. They complain on high prices of products and low compensations. They complain on the weather, be it sunny or rainy. They complain on the political situation of their country and are not satisfied on their government’s effort. They even complain on what happened with their lives. But in all of these, we notice that these are all material in nature, because people are not satisfied with what they have. Some of them do not see how blessed they are than others.

All what God wants us to learn is to appreciate Him, learn to accept everything, be it good or bad. As a servant of God, we should look on everything as a test in this life. We must learn to live day by day. We know of course that all things are only temporary, and if we look at this that way, then we’ll learn to be satisfied on what we have. (2 Cor 6:10) as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing all things.

(2 Cor 8:9) For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though He was rich, for your sakes He became poor, in order that you might be made rich through His poverty.

People who are not content in this life usually do sinful things just to satisfy their hunger. Jesus told the soldiers be content in their wages and do not extort anyone just to make their lives comfortable. (Luke 3:14) And the soldiers also asked of him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said to them, Do not forcibly extort anyone, nor accuse any falsely. And be content with your wages. How many people nowadays are like this?

A true believer learns to suffer and endure pains of hardships just to show that they hold on to their faith. (2 Cor 11:27)  I have been in hardship and toil; often in watchings; in hunger and thirst; often in fastings; in cold and nakedness.

Remember that it is our trust in the Lord God that keep us from being content in this life. We trust in Him that He will never abandon us no matter what happens. (Heb. 13:5) Let your way of life be without the love of money, and be content with such things as you have, for He has said, “Not at all will I leave you, not at all will I forsake you, never!”

Trust these words and we will learn to be content.