Contentment

Philippians 4:[11] Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
Amidst a nation of consumers this thought seems to be so foreign. America is geared towards getting as much as you can. Giving little regard to the pain and suffering of others. America is driven by greed and the obtaining of things. Where you never seem to be satiated with the things you have obtained.
We always want something better or faster or bigger. There seems to be no end to our wants.
We have raised a generation of give mes. The Apostle Paul gave his life for the winning and educating of the body of Christ. He arrived at a point in his life where he realized his physical state was unimportant and what mattered was his spiritual state. His satisfaction was not established by what he possessed but Who he possessed.
The Apostle Paul on more than one occasion instructed Christians to follow his example. Let us examine this passage in Philippians and learn from the Apostle Paul.

Philippians 4:8] Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Let us Christians not cloud our minds with negative thoughts. If all around you chaos comes then praise God for His wonderful grace which has saved you from Hell. The helmet of salvation can protect the mind from all sorts of injurious thoughts the devil throws at you. No matter what may come the devil cannot take from you your eternal security given by the salvation of Jesus Christ the Lord. If no other positive thought can come to your mind you can focus steadfastly on this fact.
As the Apostle Paul grew to the point of being content there were certain things he did. Let us look and learn.

Philippians 4: 9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.
Those things,

which ye have both learned
For the people to have learned of Paul he must first be a teacher

and received
For the people to have received the Apostle Paul must be a giver

and heard
For the people to have heard the Apostle Paul must be a speaker

and seen in me
For the people to have seen the Apostle Paul must be a doer

[10] But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity.

But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly
The Apostle Paul was a praiser of the Lord when he received blessings from the church.

that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity.
The Apostle Paul realized and acknowledged the people had a desire to help the ministry but at times were unable to. Not bearing a grudge or chastising them for at times not being able to provide but grateful that when they could they did.

[11] Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
The Apostle Paul had learned that our physical circumstances should not determine our spiritual walk. The Apostle Paul had learned God is still God. In bad times or good times nothing separates us from the love of God. He did not become discouraged by the vicissitudes of life.
So we see contentment can be learned and should not be based on our physical circumstances.

[12] I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
[13] I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

God is still God regardless of our circumstances. We must indeed walk by faith and not by sight.
Christ should be the source of our ability to be content and not our fleshly circumstances. How do you achieve this? Only through the power of Jesus in your daily life and by:

Philippians 4:8] Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

1Timothy 6:6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.
[7] For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
[8] And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.