THE SPIRIT OF CONTENTMENT: IT’S ONLY BALANCED WHEN YOU KNOW HOW TO BE ABASED AND TO ABOUND!
“. . . 11 Not that I speak from [any personal] need, for I have LEARNED to be CONTENT [and self-sufficient through Christ, satisfied to the point where I am NOT DISTURBED or uneasy] REGARDLESS of my circumstances. 12 I know how to GET ALONG and LIVE HUMBLY [in difficult times], and I also know how to ENJOY ABUNDANCE and LIVE IN PROSPERITY. In any and every circumstance I have LEARNED the SECRET [of facing life], whether WELL-FED or going HUNGRY, whether having an ABUNDANCE or being IN NEED. 13 I can do all things [which He has called me to do] through Him who strengthens and empowers me [to fulfill His purpose—I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency; I am READY FOR ANYTHING and EQUAL TO ANYTHING through Him who infuses me with inner strength and confident peace.] . . .” Philippians 4:10-14/Amplified.
When a Believer learns and knows how to be balanced in doing life and living godly in Christ Jesus, especially in the understanding of how to be abased and to abound, it helps to strengthen, ensure and assure the believer’s steadfast walk in the grace. The assurance in the faith, results in the spirit of contentment, which enables the born of God believer in Christ Jesus, to do life and live godly in an effortless walk of faith and without sweat in the grace.
When Apostle Paul said that he had learned to be content – meaning to be self-sufficient through Christ – and to be satisfied to the point where he is not disturbed or uneasy, regardless of his circumstances, that’s the spirit of contentment. More so, that he knows how to get along and live humbly in difficult times, and also knows how to enjoy abundance and live in prosperity, that’s the spirit of contentment, and has equally learned when and while in any and every circumstance, the secret of facing life equally with an emboldening spirit, meaning to face life situations and circumstances with an eyebrow to eyebrow, whether he is well-fed or going hungry, and whether having in abundance or being in need – which thus indicates, that such a Believer in any scenario in Christ Jesus, understands the spirit of contentment in the grace. More so, on how to comport oneself, in such a way that the essence of God’s grace and the corresponding attributes are unchanged in charisma and character by any reason of life position and disposition.
“Not that I speak in respect of want for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. 12I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: everywhere and in all things, I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need” Philippians 4:11-12.
It thus indicates in the context of the Scriptures of Philippians 4:11-12 above. When Apostle Paul said he had learned how to be “ABASED”, he was not necessarily saying it in the context and state of degradation or being poverty stricken. Neither was he saying that he had learned to “ABOUND” means to be extra possessive in the state of overflow, extreme wealth or abundance, and being highly successful in whatever context of attribution. He was however, saying in both Scriptural context of his person, in his walk with the Lord, in fulfilling purpose and staying focused in the call of grace; that he is able to be “ABASED”, meaning, he knows how to live humbled, modest, keep a low profile as often as it’s allowed, knowing it’s a great means/antidote to pride and arrogance and a strong character nature in dealing with the consequence of pride [being proudly] or disobedient to specific scriptural instructions of God; it thus sums up that knowing fully well, that it is in being humbled, self-disciplined, that one is able to proceed to being exalted [lifted up or uplifted] by God in his grace.
“But he GIVETH MORE GRACE. Wherefore he saith, God RESISTETH THE PROUD, but GIVETH GRACE UNTO THE HUMBLE” James 4:6
“Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be SUBJECT one to another, AND BE CLOTHED WITH HUMILITY: for GOD RESISTETH THE PROUD, and GIVETH GRACE TO THE HUMBLE. 6 HUMBLE yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may EXALT you in due time: 7 casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you” 1 Peter 5:5-7.
“. . . 26 Therefore I DO NOT RUN WITHOUT A DEFINITE GOAL; I do not flail around like one beating the air [just shadow boxing]. 27But [like a boxer] I strictly DISCIPLINE my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached [the gospel] to others, I myself will not somehow be DISQUALIFIED [as unfit for service]” 1 Corinthian 9:24-27/Amplified.
The concept of the scriptural context above is summarised by the principle that those who exalt themselves will be abased, while those who humble themselves will be exalted. The writ of Philippians 4:9-13 by Apostle Paul is to describe his ability to be content in any situation, including TIMES OF NEED and HUNGER and TIMES OF ABUNDANCE AND BEING HIGHLY SUFFICIENT AND SUCCESSFUL.
The concept of learning to LIVE CONTENTEDLY as a Believer in Christ Jesus, both in times of NEED [being ABASED] and PLENTY [being ABOUND], is the whole and complete path of setting oneself to become in the grace in all levels of doing life in Christ Jesus. It’s such a gracious spirit of contentment, while humbled [being ABASED] to learn to live with less, which involves taming desires, avoiding excesses, and appreciating what you have through practicing the spirit of contentment and discipline in the grace. And in the same scenario, while exalted [being ABOUND] to learn to live with gratitude, practicing wise stewardship, and being disciplined with resources, rather than being wasteful or prideful in the grace.
SOME PRINCIPLES TO APPLY WHILE BEING ABASED [LIVE WITH LESS]:
- Learn to DECLUTTER and live with less: Go through your belongings and get rid of what you don’t need. This can be clothes, gadgets, or other possessions.
- Learn to PRACTICE discipline: Learn to tame your fleshly desires and wants and resist the urge to buy things you don’t need.
- Learn to APPRECIATE what you have: A lack of excessive material things can serve as a reminder of your humanity and help you connect with the struggles of others.
- Learn to SAVE and prepare for the future: Learning to live with less can lead to better financial discipline, allowing you to save for difficult and challenging times.
SOME PRINCIPLES TO APPLY WHILE BEING ABOUND [LIVE WITH MORE]:
- Learn to PRACTICE GRATITUDE: Be thankful for what you have, which builds resilience and faith in the grace.
- Learn to AVOID WASTEFULNESS: When you have abundance, be a good steward of what you’ve been given.
- Learn to be GENEROUS AND KIND: Use your abundance to bless others. Be mindful of how your success might affect those around you who are struggling.
- Learn to MAINTAIN A HUMBLE MINDSET: Do not let prosperity lead to pride, arrogance, or a loss of focus on what is spiritually important in the grace.
- Learn TO FIND AND ENSURE CONTENTMENT in Christ: The core message of the month theme and scriptural verse context, is that true contentment is found in a relationship with Christ, not in material possessions or circumstances.
- Learn to know that ABOUNDING ABUNDANTLY in spiritual blessings entails:
- God’s Grace And Love: The holy writ uses “abound” to describe God’s grace, which is seen as surpassing human sinfulness as written in Romans 5:20 “Where sin increased, grace ABOUNDED all the more”. And Philippians 1:9 expresses a desire for love to “abound yet more and more” as written “And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgments”.
- God’s Grace And Hope: God can fill believers with joy and peace so they may abound in hope in the grace as in the holy writ enjoined in Romans 15:13 “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing [through the experience of your faith] that by the power of the Holy Spirit you will abound in hope and overflow with confidence in His promises”.
- God’s Grace and Wisdom and Kindness: God can fill believers with Wisdom and kindness in the grace as the holy writ of Ephesians 1:8 says of God having “abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence”.
- God’s Grace, Faith and Good Works: Believers are encouraged to abound in their faith, knowledge, diligence, and love for one another. The scriptures of 2 Corinthians 8:7 encourages believers to “abound in this grace also” as written “Therefore, as ye ABOUND in everything, IN FAITH, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye ABOUND in this grace also.”
- God’s Grace And The Work Of The Lord: Christians are called to be steadfast and “always abounding in the work of the Lord,” meaning they should be abundant in their efforts to serve God as written in 1 Corinthians 15:58 “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord”.
Therefore, in summary, THE SPIRIT OF CONTENTMENT, is an essence in the Believers’ path in doing life and living godly in the grace in Christ Jesus stead and being able to learn to BALANCE HOW TO BE ABASED AND TO ABOUND is crucial in the grace. Hence, I employ you to learn after Apostle Paul, as he was able to equate being “abased” in experiencing hunger and need, for it teaches him how to learn to be contented regardless of his circumstances; and this is equally possible, when as a believer in Christ Jesus, you know that whatever you are going through in life, you are assured in the grace; and you are not being ignorant, that there’s the enemy and cohorts of our faith, whose intent is for you to fail the scriptural test, as He is there to kill or harm and destroy thereby robbing you of the scriptural blessedness; but you need to know that by passing the test, you are going to be exalted by our God of all grace, through humility, in order to abound in the grace, and be strengthened, established, made perfect [whole, mature, complete] and settled in the course and cause of the grace.
I want you to know also, that the same enemy and cohorts that’s at work about you, are working as a roaring lion throughout the world against God’s people like you, seeking for who to devour; and you are not necessarily the only one going through the measure and challenges in life circumstances in the grace as sometimes we are bound to think and imagine; but to know that there are other brethren, who are going through their own stuffs, which likely may be even more challenging than yours. Having this knowing, is the wise counsel of Apostle Peter in the scripture of 1 Peter 5:8-11, in order to abased and abound in the spirit of contentment as written:
“HUMBLE yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may EXALT you in due time: [7] casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. [8] Be SOBER, be VIGILANT; because your ADVERSARY THE DEVIL, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: [9] whom RESIST STEDFAST IN THE FAITH, knowing that the SAME AFFLICTIONS are ACCOMPLISHED IN YOUR BRETHREN that are in the world. [10] But the God of ALL GRACE, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have SUFFERED a while, make you PERFECT, STABLISH, STRENGTHEN, SETTLE you. [11] To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen”
It’s my earnest prayers, that the spirit of contentment might become your essence in the grace through humility to be abased and when you abound also in the grace.
Blessed regards in God’s enabling grace and blessedness as you do life and live godly by the grace in Christ Jesus stead. Amen.
SELAH – PAUSE AND THINK!
SCRIPTURAL THOUGHT WORTH PONDERING IN CONTEXT:
“I rejoiced greatly in the Lord, that now at last you have renewed your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned about me before, but you had no opportunity to show it. [11] Not that I speak from [any personal] need, for I have learned to be content [and self-sufficient through Christ, satisfied to the point where I am not disturbed or uneasy] regardless of my circumstances. [12] I know how to get along and live humbly [in difficult times], and I also know how to enjoy abundance and live in prosperity. In any and every circumstance I have learned the secret [of facing life], whether well-fed or going hungry, whether having an abundance or being in need. [13] I can do all things [which He has called me to do] through Him who strengthens and empowers me [to fulfill His purpose—I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency; I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses me with inner strength and confident peace.] . . . [19] And my God will liberally supply (fill until full) your every need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus” Philippians 4:10-13, 19/Amplified.
“If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; [4] he is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, [5] perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. [6] But GODLINESS with CONTENTMENT is great gain. [8] And having FOOD and RAIMENT let us be therewith CONTENT” 1 Timothy 6:3-8.
“Let your CONVERSATION [CONDUCT, BEHAVIOUR] be without covetousness; and be CONTENT with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. [6] So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my Helper, and I will not fear What man shall do unto me” Hebrews 13:5-6.
“Although the fig tree shall NOT BLOSSOM, Neither shall fruit be in the vines; The labour of the olive shall fail, And the fields shall yield no meat; The flock shall be cut off from the fold, And there shall be no herd in the stalls: [18] Yet I will REJOICE in the LORD, I will JOY in the God of my salvation. [19] The LORD God is my STRENGTH, And he will make my FEET like HINDS’ FEET, And He will make me to walk upon mine HIGH PLACES. To the chief singer on my stringed instruments” Habakkuk 3:17-19.
“HUMBLE yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may EXALT you in due time: [7] casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. [8] Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: [9] whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. [10] But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have SUFFERED a while, make you PERFECT, STABLISH, STRENGTHEN, SETTLE you. [11] To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen” 1 Peter 5:6-11.
“So also, Christ glorified not Himself to be made an high priest; but He that said unto him, Thou art my Son, Today have I begotten thee. [6] As He saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever After the order of Melchisedec. [7] Who in the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto Him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that He feared; [8] though He were a Son, yet learned He OBEDIENCE by the things which He SUFFERED; [9] and being made PERFECT, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey Him; [10] called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec” Hebrews 5:5-10.
“Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. [6] who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: [7] but made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a Servant, and was made in the likeness of men: [8] and being found in fashion as a man, He HUMBLED himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. [9] Wherefore God also hath HIGHLY EXALTED Him, and given Him a Name which is above every name: [10] that at the Name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; [11] and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” Philippians 2:4-11.
“No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. [25] Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? [26] Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? [27] Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? [28] And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: [29] and yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. [30] Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? [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 knoweth that ye have need of all these things. [33] But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. [34] Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof”.
REV. CHUKIE MORSI
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