But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity. Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction.

Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only. For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity. Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.

But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God. But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Now unto God and our Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen. Philippians 4:10-20

The discipline of contentment is the answer to covetousness, and is one of the first three cardinal points Paul warns the believer against in Ephesians 5:3. Judging from the context of his statement ‘all uncleanness or covetousness,’ it gives the sense of multiple dimensions of the manifestation of covetousness. 2 Timothy 3:2 in context of an age where comparison drives the lust to get and to have, Paul’s grateful, yet content heart teaches important lessons:

• That giving is not the product of a compulsive demand laid upon a giver, rather a sacrifice with divine benefits accruing to the giver (Philippians 4:17 is direct reference to 2 Corinthians 9); and a sweet smelling sacrifice pleasing to God that evokes prayers such as in verse 19;

• A clear warning to the “haves” in 1 Timothy 6:5b-7 that expands on the Lord’s warning in Luke 12:15-21, that richness in the goods of this world must be counted only in terms of the abundance of good works. Romans 12:13 says, Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.

Contentment is not natural to any of us. It may be hard to attain given the easy life we have all been led to live; but it must be learnt if we are to stand in the testing times we are living in.