Everyone has an idea what a word means but lets look at what words the authors in the Bible used.
The Hebrew word is Ya’al, it has a positive and negative way to be written. The negative use means to be foolish or become fools. The positive term has meanings such as: begin, undertake, please, willingly.
Studying this I find it funny that when we willingly follow Christ and suffer for His name the world sees us a foolish.
When Paul writes to Timothy in 1st Tim 6:6 and 6:8
about being content he uses the Greek arkeo which is the idea to raise a barrier, to ward off, be content, be enough, suffice, sufficient.
This brings the image to mind of a farmer building a fence. He wants to plant a crop to feed his family and he needs to know how much space is enough to build the fence around. If you think about contentment God gives us enough that we don’t have to go over the fence to get more. The world is over that fence tempting us in all ways but with you and God in the fence you have everything you need. So why does Paul say he had to learn to be content?
Philippians 4:11 “Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content”
If you imagine God in your farm as providing everything you need. He brings what He wants you to have inside the fence. You don’t have to go out and get it. If He brings much money this season and less the next it is enough. If He brings a lot of food now and you go hungry next it is enough.
If He brings you a spouse and a family but they leave the farm of your life do you stay in with God or go out? God gives and takes away. Brings in and lets go. Naked you came into this world. Just you and God. Same when you leave this world.
I believe that based on the meanings of these words contentment is staying inside the fence and receiving what God gives you as enough. Now you may complain and look out to what the world has to offer but your actions speak louder than feelings. If you chose to stay in the fence with God you are saying He is enough and choosing God over everything.
I believe that is the secret Paul learned in being content.
Did he always follow it? God only knows, but as a prisoner I know he was tested heavily haha
Thank you for reading. God bless you
Jordan, a Son of God and prisoner learning contentment.
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