The Content of Contentment

Preparing for the Tenth Sunday after Pentecost: Three Days before Sunday (Year A)

Scripture (semicontinuous)

Psalter: Psalm 17:1-7, 15

Old Testament: Isaiah 14:1-2

Epistle: Philippians 4:10-15

Scripture (complementary)

Psalter: Psalm 145:8-9, 14-21

Old Testament: Proverbs 10:1-5

Epistle: Philippians 4:10-15

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Prayer

O God, from whom all good proceeds: Grant that by your inspiration we may think those things that are right, and by your merciful guiding may do them; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Book of Common Prayer)

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Reflection

I rejoice in the Lord greatly that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned for me but had no opportunity to show it. Not that I am referring to being in need, for I have learned to be content with whatever I have. I know what it is to have little, and I know what it is to have plenty. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being well-fed and of going hungry, of having plenty and of being in need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. In any case, it was kind of you to share my distress.

You Philippians indeed know that in the early days of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving except you alone (Philippians 4:10-15).

We live in a world that makes it difficult for us to be content. We are taught to be ambitious. We are encouraged to seek excellence in our employment. We are instructed to do better in every challenge before us. These things in and of themselves are not necessarily bad, but there is something that is not quite right with the seeming inability to accept our circumstances as they are. Our age is characterized by a discontent that is not healthy.

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In our culture, we often define the good life as the successful life, meaning more money and possessions; but it seems to me that Saint Paul presents the good life as a life of contentedness. What does it mean to be content? What is the content of contentment? Paul informs the Philippians that he has lived his life in plenty and in want. He has known all kinds of different circumstances in life and he has discovered that no matter what the situation, he is content in all things.

Are we content in plenty so that we are generous with what we do not need? Are we content in want, thankful for what we have? Are we content with accomplishments that are less than perfect? Are we can content when our daily to-do list is not completed? Are we content with our lives knowing that not everything over the years went the way we had hoped?

Paul offers us the key to such contentment. He says he can do all things through Christ who strengthens him. In referring to all things, Paul does not say he can do absolutely anything he wants to do because of Christ’s strength. Instead, he can handle all times and all circumstances with the strength that Christ gives to him. Perhaps Paul had a larger heavenly picture of life? Perhaps Paul understood Jesus’ counsel that life does not consistent in what we wear or how we eat. Perhaps Paul took to heart Jesus’ advice to seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, so then whatever was added to him in plenty or in want would be sufficient?

May the content of our contentedness be found in those things that Jesus said do not rot away.

PRAYER: Redeeming Sustainer, visit your people and pour out your strength and courage upon us, that we may hurry to make you welcome not only in our concern for others, but by serving them generously and faithfully in your name. Amen. (Revised Common Lectionary)

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