I can do all things through Christ. What a fantastic Bible verse! It’s used at sporting events by Tim Tebow. Hobby Lobby stores are filled with “I can do all things through Christ” wall art. Philippians 4:13 is the fourth most common Bible verse used for tattoos.
There is one issue, however. The verse is rarely used in its proper context.
Simply saying, “I can do all things through Christ” doesn’t make the impossible possible. The impossible is possible with God. However, we must resist thinking that our words are magical. Paul was speaking of the secret weapon of contentment. That secret weapon is Christ and His power in our lives.
Here are a handful of Bible verses pertaining to contentment.
Bible Verses About Contentment — St. Paul
Philippians 4:11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.
Paul, the writer of this book, was in jail. His life was turned upside down. He was in need and depended on the generosity of others. Yet, he “learned” how to be content.
Philippians 4:12 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.
Circumstances and situations did not dictate whether he was content or discontent. I doubt the jail was typical American jail with three square meals and a gym. No son, it was most likely a brutal situation.
Yet, he uncovered the secret to contentment.
Philippians 4:13 I can do all things because Christ gives me the strength.
The secret to Paul’s contentment is Christ. Christ is not our Lord’s last name. I’m sure you know that but it’s worth repeating.
Christ is one of His many titles. It can be interpreted as Messiah or the Anointed One.
Discontent, jealousy, envy, and covetousness run deep through our sinful nature. It won’t be overcome by willpower alone. It requires the full power of Christ!
The secret to contentment is a daily moment-by-moment crucifixion of our ungodly desires. Not all desires are ungodly, however.
Crucify discontentment, jealousy, envy, and covetousness. Ask Christ to help you practice contentment — even when the finances are tight (11 Psalms when money is tight, article).
Bible Verses About Contentment — Food and Clothing
The Apostle Paul was on a different financial plane than most Christians. His expectations were super high and yet always Biblical.
He was not obedient to the Heavenly Vision!
He wrote two known letters to the pastor of the church in Ephesus, Timothy. Here’s a brief excerpt from that letter:
I Timothy 6:6-8 But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.
Perhaps Timothy was getting restless. Maybe discontentment was taking root in his life.
Paul addressed it quickly and forcefully.
“You’ll never see a U-Haul behind a hearse”
Anonymous
He who dies with the most toys still dies. There are no rewards for a person who dies with the most stuff.
Additionally, there is nothing wrong with wealth creation. Abraham, Isaac, Job, and Joseph of Arimathea were all wealthy.
Paul paints an extreme portrait for us. If we have food and clothing we should be content. Content doesn’t mean that we get lazy and slothful. It simply means that we are satisfied. We are satisfied with where God has us in life.
We can always improve our financial lives through diligence, knowledge, and wisdom.
While we’re making forward strides we should be smiling if we’re fed and clothed.
Bible Verses About Contentment — John the Baptist
John the Baptist was another bristly preacher. He’s my kind of guy!
Luke 3:14 Then some soldiers asked him, “And what should we do?” He replied, “Don’t extort money and don’t accuse people falsely—be content with your pay.”
John was baptizing new believers. They immediately asked him how they should start living. They apparently knew that their lives needed some tweaking.
Most of the world was under Roman domination. Soldiers were extorting and making false accusations in order to pad their bank accounts.
John told them to stop doing that and to be content with their pay. Their discontentment led them to harm others financially.
Don’t overread this text. The extortion and accusations are all aligned with being content.
We’re not told to whistle happy songs if we’re earning terrible wages. Or to only do the bare minimum on the job because “the Bible tells me to be content.”
That is not the point.
Is God Enough For You?
Money is not evil. It can be dangerous, though. Our sinful nature has the tendency to lead us astray when left to its own devices.
I compare it to the supernatural impact “The One Ring” had on everyone in the Lord of the Rings Trilogy. The combination is volatile.
Hebrews 13:5 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”
The writer of Hebrews encourages us to keep our lives free from the love of money and to be content. Paul said the contentment litmus test was food and clothing.
The last part of the verse puts it all into clear context:
Is God enough for us?
That’s a question that we need to answer on our own.
If all we get out of Christianity is salvation we’re still getting the better deal. Money cannot get us into heaven.
Salvation is not earned, deserved, or purchased — it’s a gift.