"For I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances." In Philippians 4, Paul includes in his writing about facing both extreme need and having abundance. He continues on to say I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation...I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
Paul gives God the glory for providing him with strength, however he twice mentions that he learned to be content. His description can give us encouragement that contentment is not necessarily something we gain overnight, and it is a process to achieve and then keep.
Being content is one of the key characteristics that makes a difference in shedding debt and overspending, leading to a path of becoming free of debt. Focusing on being content in Christ will lead us to make wise decisions when those forks in the road come, such as:
Contentment will speak to us to keep that current vehicle (providing it is reliable), rather than committing to a multi-year loan or lease, just to have the latest shiny model available.
Contentment will allow us to feel comfortable with the clothes we wear, the gadgets we have and things we already own regardless of what others may think, rather than going deeper into debt to obtain more or newer versions of these things.
Contentment can show us if our current home is meeting our needs, as opposed to moving into an expensive new place or spending large sums on remodeling for the appearance.
Focusing on contentment in Christ will provide the patience to wait for any of the things mentioned above, until we have the resources to afford it.
Paul wrote in 1 Timothy 6:8 that "if we have food and clothing, we shall be content with these things." How far beyond "having food and clothing" is your household and most others in this country right now? Then Paul has instructed us to be content with our lot.
A part of the process of learning to be content is looking back at our past spending decisions, when we were not content and spent a large amount or committed financially to something that ultimately did not bring us the satisfaction we thought it may.
And in the times that we focused on being content in Christ, saw the results in how we later realized that having that 'thing" really was not so important after all, and then did not go deeper into debt for it and learned from the experience.
Both of the prior examples can ultimately help "steer" us to the place God wants us to be... if we learn from those experiences - those when we set aside contentment and also when we embraced it.
We can also learn from others, in Proverbs 24 it tells of going by the field of a slothful man void of understanding. It says the field was overgrown in thorns and the wall broken down - and the author says "I saw and considered it; I looked on it and received instruction." You may be able to recall the folly of some others financially, recognize some steps they made which led to that folly, and learn.
As Paul learned that Christ was his strength, we also can... and there is no substitute for reading/hearing/viewing His Word and fellowshipping with Him regularly, which will lead us to receiving that strength from Him that will allow us to be content in all circumstances.
Lastly, know the Lord is with you at all times and in all situations, as it is written in Hebrews 13:5 - "Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."
God Bless you and my He show Himself greatly to you,
Paul
