Radically content (2)

In his book, The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment, Jeremiah Burroughs defined contentment:

"Christian contentment is that sweet, inward, quiet, gracious attitude of heart that freely submits to and delights in God’s wise and fatherly disposal in every condition."

Look again at that definition. Are you content? Radically content?

Burroughs went on to say, "To be well skilled in the mystery of Christian contentment is the duty, glory and excellence of a Christian.”

So, how can we be content? In Philippians 4 we see some ingredients of radical contentment.

10 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. 11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
Philippians 4:10-13 (ESV)

In this paragraph, we can spot three qualities necessary for contentment. We have here the “contents of contentment.” I'll share the first today. More to come.

To be radically content, we have to be able to laugh.

Joy is an important part of what it means to follow Jesus. Someone once asked me, “Are you a follower of Jesus?” I said, “Yes.” He said, "Then, tell your face!”

Some of us may have had so many financial challenges in 2009 that we have forgotten how to laugh.

But that’s not true of Paul. Remember that one of Paul’s motivations for writing this letter to the church at Philippi was to say thanks. Paul was imprisoned by the Romans.

The prison system in that day were different than today. As a citizen of Rome, Paul evidently was imprisoned in as house or an apartment. While in prison you were still responsible to supply for your own needs. So, Paul had to rely on his friends to supply his needs.

Here’s a guy who’s imprisoned, not for committing a crime, but for but for telling people about Jesus. He’s devoted his life to this and now he’s alone in a jail. He’s wondering, “What’s going to happen? Will I have enough food? Does anyone care?”

So the church in Philippi sent a member named Epaphroditus from their church on a dangerous journey to deliver it. They wanted to make sure Paul was OK. And Paul wants to let them know how much it meant to him.

10 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity.
Philippians 4:10 (ESV)

He says, “You have made me laugh… from a deep place! You’ve had a revival of generosity… toward me! I know you were concerned in the past. But you didn’t have the resources. You just have to know that you put a smile on the face of a guy in jail!”

Some of us might have gotten a gift like that and been tempted to say, “It’s about time! After all I’ve done for you. Most of you met Jesus as your Savior because of me. I started you church. Your ticket to heaven is punched because of me. It’s about time you gave me some money.”

But that’s not what radical contentment says.

If we are radically content, we rejoice in the provision we have – even if we’re in jail or even if it feels like we’re in jail. We have an attitude of gratitude. Laugh!

Jsut two weekends ago, we had the opportunity to hear from one of the leading evangelicals in the world, Dr. Albert Mohler. I always like to ask guests for feedback about CVC. I asked Dr. Mohler – who speaks all around the world – what it was like to speak here. He said, “The people are good listeners. And when I challenged them, they came with me. It felt good.” His assistant, Matt, thanked me for having them here and then he said, “We go to a lot of churches that aren’t very pleasant. CVC is a happy church.”

A happy church. I like that. Because joy is a fruit of the Spirit.

Now, when you think about what you have – materially – are you a happy follower of Jesus?

To be radically content, augh! Rejoice in what you have!