Joseph Tucker's Blog
The secret of being content in any situation / 04.13.09, 09:42 AM
There is a verse that is often used out of context in the book of Philippians. It is the 13th verse of the 4th chapter and it reads “I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” I have seen and heard this verse used in reference to sporting events (we can win or perform well since God gives us strength…), academic settings (we can test well since God made our brains…), and a hosts of other situations. However the interesting thing to me is that this verse is set in the context of money. Paul is talking about poverty and affluence, plenty and want, wealth and need.
For the last 8 months or so I have lived in one of the poorer neighborhoods of Philadelphia. I am reluctant to say that I have lived in poverty, because I realize that as Americans we haven’t even come close to the extent of poverty other nations and peoples endure. Regardless (but with a holy regard for those in need around the world), I still consider my neighborhood poor. There are few banks; many of the local businesses are not doing well; the few parks that exist around the neighborhood are ill-kept; the neighborhood children often don’t have things I can recall having as I child (baseball bats, balls, etc.); and there are simply parts of the neighborhood that are trashed (and also parts that are very well kept to give you a fuller understanding).
In stark contrast I have been home in Akron for a week. I had the chance to meet some friends for brunch in a house where one of my friends worked as a nanny. It was opulent (go look it up). And as we (my collegiate friends and I) toured this massive estate we were taken aback by how much there was. The rooms were so big; some rooms were simply for clothes or toys.
And as we caught up a friend, noticing my discomfort with the surrounding plenty, jokingly suggested that I pretend that half of the house wasn’t there. We laughed and continued catching up. But her statement, offhand as it was, stuck with me. Could I simply just pretend that the house wasn’t as big as it was or that the luxuries within weren’t as nice as they were?
I couldn’t. For to me, to ignore the riches of affluence is also to ignore the depths of poverty. To simply pretend that this house wasn’t too large, would be to say that some of the houses in Philly aren’t too small for the 3 generations contained within them. Affluence cannot be ignored or watered down, nor can poverty.
So I have come to this place of discomfort. I find myself uncomfortable when around poverty. (These people have so little!) And I find myself uncomfortable around affluence. (These people have so much!) Even as I come to worship at the church where I grew up, I can’t help but notice the projectors, and fog machines, and sound equipment. And I find myself discomforted wondering if we have lavished ourselves?
And then there’s Paul who says this in Philippians 4
I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need, for 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 everything through him who gives me strength.
And I find myself at a loss of understanding. This often misused verse of doing all things through him who gives us strength is in reference to economic status. And Paul says that he can live content in either! In fact he alludes that there is some “secret” to being able to be content in any situation!
So I find myself uncomfortable around plenty or want, while Paul says that he can be content in either! What’s the secret Paul? Does the rest of the book of Philippians contain some clues? Does the simple yet powerful mantra of “I can do everything through him who gives me strength” give us sufficient direction and understanding into this secret?
And that’s all I have, this uncomfortable question. This seeking out of a secret. I hope it leaves you somewhat discomforted and that we can together seek out the answer to this mystery.
Grace and peace.
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Hi Joe. My name is Andrea and I did MY last year, ’07-‘08 in Chicago.
I think it’s crazy how hard it is to be content even when we have so much… it’s almost easier when there’s less, at least that was my experience during MY and now as I try to live a simple life “post”-MY. It’s so easy to judge, so I always have to pray for grace, and remain uncomfortable (discontent) while trying to understand more deeply true contentment wherever we’re at.
By Andrea / Apr 29, 11:08 PM / #
I believe he told you what the secret was in the scripture. That he can do all things through Christ, who gives him the strength to do so. Maybe it will be clearer in “The Message” version: Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am.
By Deborah / Nov 2, 03:59 PM / #
I believe Paul is answering “in general” the secret to being content. The secret is Christ, Christ-like, Christ in us. Paul no longer lives, but it is Christ . His contentment is in having died to the flesh. It no longer has any bearing on his comfort or discomfort. His calm and peace and joy comes totally from Christ and Christ alone. If he is hungry and weak, he is strengthened by Christ. If he is fed, that too is Christ. Though money was used in his example, it’s the same way for him if he’s beaten, insulted, or in chains. He finds his greater pleasures in his suffering. When he is experiencing suffering, he’s given the opportunity to experience Christ’s power. If you’ve ever known for certain that you did something, yet you knew it was not of you but of God, you’d understand. Paul knew that’s God’s glory shone through Paul’s weakness.
By kim harvey / Feb 8, 02:22 PM / #