Wednesday, October 22, 2025
I don’t say this out of need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I find myself. I know how to make do with little, and I know how to make do with a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content—whether well fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need. I am able to do all things through him who strengthens me. Philippians 4: 11-13
Is Enough Enough?
Are you happy with what God provides or do you find yourself constantly wanting more? In studying the Lord’s Prayer, we know Jesus modeled for us to ask God for our daily bread, which refers to basic needs such as food, and also to our spiritual, emotional, and mental needs. God does provide the daily bread we need for our bodies, heart, and mind, but often we think we need something more. Instead of letting God be enough for our emotional needs we reject his provision and begin to look to other people and things that we think can meet our needs. Eventually we find out that the earthly abundance we think we need is empty.
Paul knew what it meant to have riches, and what it meant to be in need. He had been both wealthy and financially in need and he learned that true contentment does not come from earthly abundance. He knew that true contentment comes from the abundant life we have as believers in a growing relationship with Jesus.
Not only did Paul understand what contentment was, but he wrote the verses above from prison. He was probably in the worst circumstances of his whole life and yet he could say that he learned the secret of being content – the strength of Christ. He speaks to his ability to be content in all things through the strength of Christ.
In today’s world it is a struggle to not constantly want more. Social media is a nightmare for anyone trying to be content with what they have. We are constantly bombarded with ads and influencers trying on beautiful clothes, shoes, skincare products, fitness plans, nutritional products, life coaches, etc… The struggle is overwhelming to not be tempted to think that your life is lacking and there is something else you can get to make it better. The truth is that most of the time it only creates more lack in our hearts.
We can learn to be content like Paul if we press into Jesus instead of the world. Spiritual maturity is being content with what a sovereign God gives and knowing that he knows what we need and provides for those needs. He gives us our “daily bread” with intention, love, wisdom and sufficiency. In a world that constantly wants us to want more , choosing contentment in Christ is believing that what I have is enough because it is from God. This doesn’t mean we ignore our desires or needs, but we surrender them to a God who sees the full picture when we can only see a part. He wants us to have the desires of our heart – the good ones that honor him.
True contentment is found in Christ—not in circumstances, things, or even people. It’s the deep assurance that God will provide for us. This contentment stirs gratitude, opening our eyes to the blessings he has given — our daily bread, relationships, the breath in our lungs, and the mercy that meets us every morning.
At some point we have to decide if Jesus is enough. Is he enough for our satisfaction? Is it enough that our needs are met and we have daily bread? Will we let him satisfy the longings of our heart? If you have not asked yourself this question, I challenge you to ask it now. Until you let Jesus be everything, you will never be fulfilled or satisfied. You will continually feel the void and seek to fill it with something.
