Jon Taylor – Lead Pastor

In a world that tells us we need more and more and creates a sense of discontent within us, we need to refocus on what God says is the way to be truly content and fulfilled. It’s when we invest in the Kingdom with our talents, our time and our treasure that we find we can say with Paul that we have learned the “secret of being content in any and every situation.” 

We have to fight our greed and fear of lack in order to find contentment. Paul wrote the church in Philippi these words: “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”

Note the context of one of the most loved verses in all of Scripture – “I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” This is not a rub-the-magic-lamp verse that means you can do whatever you want. In high school I used to quote this verse this way: “I can do all things – even play in the NBA through him who gives me strength!” I had to face reality – that wasn’t going to happen with my skills.

Instead, the context in which Paul wrote this is in learning how to be content. In any and every situation. I can be content. In this world that tells me I need more and more, I can be content in any and every situation. I can learn to be content through him who gives me strength.

The real secret is to be generous towards others. Generous with the talents and strengths God has placed in you. Generous with your time by serving others to demonstrate God’s love for them. Generous with your finances so that Kingdom building initiatives can move forward.

Are you willing to break the grip of greed and discontentedness? Are you willing to make Kingdom investments of your talent, time and treasure? Are you willing to get to the same place Paul was in and to say with him: “I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”

The investments of your talent, time and treasure are investments worth making!