Pearls of the Word

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Contentment

by Jean-Louis Coraboeuf

"in fact, I learned to be content [autarkes] in every situation I found myself" (Philippians 4:11).

According to the Hachette dictionary, to be content is to possess a satisfied heart and spirit. But according to the original Greek word, 'autarkes', to be content is to be sufficient in oneself. That does not mean that we have no need of anyone else, but that we have stopped being unsatisfied, displeased grumblers.

In fact, God wants to fill us up with his blessings to satisfy all our needs so that we may live in abundance with a view to the accomplishment of the work he has prepared for us (2 Corinthians 9:8). So our contentment will not come from ourselves or from others, but from God who knows how to put us in the place where he can show his blessing.