Articles
I Am Content – 2 Cor 12:10
I Am Content – 2 Cor 12:10
Whenever we hear this phrase, we connect it with Philippians:
“Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:11-13)
Yet, Paul also uses it in 2 Corinthians 12:10:
Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.
I believe that we can learn a bit more about Paul’s attitude towards contentment here. Such contentment is not to be equated with being in a tranquil state of peace and ease. It doesn’t indicate a state of inactivity and rest. Rather, I understand that Paul was willing (content) to serve the Lord no matter what the circumstances. Riches? Poverty? Joyful times? Being persecuted for the Lord? Yes – yes to ALL. In all these circumstances of life, Paul served the Lord faithfully.
None of these situations are easy or even desirable. Yet, in all these situations of life, one can be a servant of Jesus. These circumstances allow us a different way of being lights unto a dark world. These circumstances allow us to meet and teach people we would otherwise never meet. By serving Christ in such times and maintaining the principles that He has set before us, we in fact can be greater lights than when living a life of ease and comfort.
The ’trick’ is to realize that ‘content’ is to be equated with being faithful to the Lord during the dark and difficult days. Thus, being content ‘in prosperity’, while being ‘filled’, and while ‘having abundance’ is not really different in this respect than being content in poverty, hunger, and suffering need. BOTH situations require of us to be faithful to Christ. In ALL circumstances of life we are to seek first the Kingdom of God and its righteousness. In ALL circumstances of life we are to seek to be pleasing unto the Lord: “Therefore we also have as our ambition, whether at home (in the body) or absent (to the body), to be pleasing to Him” (2 Cor. 5:9). Are you content to serve the Lord in every circumstance that life may find you?
Hugh DeLong
