Paul indicates in our text that he had learned contentment in any situation – whether he was in plenty or in want.

We consider two things from this: 

• What contentment is, and 
• How we can be content.

Arising from this example, we are asked the following questions: 

• Are you content when you have an abundance? 
• Are you content when you don’t have enough? 
• What will it take to make you content? 

We see that the things of this world are all finite, they are all limited: they will never bring us lasting contentment. A relationship with the Lord is the only thing that will satisfy. We are urged to examine ourselves to see if we have such a relationship, and (if we do not) to come to Christ, trusting only in Him for salvation, to find true contentment that lasts.