“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 want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:12-13
Amid inflation and other rising costs, my husband and I, like many Americans, had to tighten our belts. We've had to cut costs on food, gas, and other expenses. Additionally, my husband has had to take a second job to make ends meet. This has resulted in a significant dip into our savings. Watching the finances slowly dwindle, I was spinning out of control with worry. Since we had been in difficult financial circumstances before, I dreaded having to approach that again. We prayed and asked God to provide for us. In my heart, I doubted.
Week after week, God came through for us. Every week, we had to be precise about what we needed. Even with the fluctuating hours and pay of that second job, we always had exactly what we needed. We didn't have too much, nor too little. In the moments when we were a little bit short, God provided in other ways for us to have exactly what we needed. We never missed a payment on a bill, and although we had to watch our pennies, we never went without any significant needs.
Although Paul was under extreme persecution, his words still carry weight for us today. Many people misquote verse 13, “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.” Although this can be a source of comfort and hope to those who are praying over a challenging situation, people often misconstrue this verse as if they can do anything because God will give them the strength to do it. People usually associate this verse with things like acquiring their dream job, driving their dream car, or moving to their favorite city. However, this isn't quite what Paul had in mind when he was in chains.
Paul is telling the church in Philippi to be content with whatever they have. Paul is content to be in chains and under extreme persecution because he knows that's the will of the Lord. He also knows what it means to have plenty of food, and he also knows what it's like to go hungry. When the verse says, “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength,” it means that he can achieve contentment regardless of the situation.
Although many people mean well when they quote this verse and attach it to going to a college they don't think they can get into, or date the dream person they feel is out of their league, God is reinforcing the idea that no matter what circumstance he has us in, we can practice contentment. We can get up each day with joy, knowing that God is in control. Since God should be our aim every day, it doesn't matter whether we have too much or too little in our bank account. What matters is how much we trust God to provide even in the direst circumstances.
How do you practice contentment? Do you often tend to complain when things don't go your way? Do you get angry with God because you've prayed for something, and he chose not to give it to you? God wants us to be content in all circumstances. Whether we have lots of money in our bank account, food in our fridge, and family alongside us, we can rejoice. But we can also rejoice when our fridge is empty, our bank account is withdrawn, and our friends and family are nowhere to be found. In all things, God is in control. In all things, we can rejoice.
Try practicing contentment this week. Choose to be satisfied with exactly where you are, with exactly what you have, and the exact season of life you're in. Don't pray and wish for a better future. Instead, enjoy your present circumstances. Rejoice that this is the exact life situation God is choosing for you now, and trust that he is in total control of your past, present, and future.
Father, help us to practice contentment. Instead of looking out to the world and desiring a new way of life, let us be content with exactly where we are today. Help us to understand Philippians 4:13 in a new way. Help us to be like Paul, who even in the most severe circumstances, chooses to be content. Let us follow his example and be content as well. Amen.
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/Marco VDM
Originally published Tuesday, 02 September 2025.
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