Complacency Doesn't Have to Be a Bad Word
Richard A. Bradley
Philippians 4:10-13
Philippians 4:10-13
10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity.
11 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content:
12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
According to the dictionary complacency is defined as: ''A feeling of quiet pleasure or security; self-satisfaction.'' Normally speaking, complacency is not a characteristic to be desired. No one in the business world would want to employ a complacent individual. No coach would want to train a complacent athlete. Teacher certainly don't look forward to teaching complacent students. See what I mean? Also, normally, we wouldn't want believers to be complacent. After salvation we should then strive to be all we can be for the Savior.
Now let's look at Paul's side of the story. In verse eleven He declared himself to be a contented man. Look this word up in any Greek lexicon and you'll discover it's broader meaning to be ''self-complacent or contented.'' Simply put, Paul was content or complacent with the circumstances of his life. He never longed for more than the Lord wanted him to have and had no desire to be any place other than where the Lord wanted him to be. This is a startling revelation considering the fact that he was in prison and undoubtedly suffering.
Paul was complacent about his lot in life because God's will was more important to him than anything else. Can we say the same?
PAUL'S COMPLACENCY HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH NEED
11 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content:
No doubt Paul needed a lot. If this ...
Richard A. Bradley
Philippians 4:10-13
Philippians 4:10-13
10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity.
11 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content:
12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
According to the dictionary complacency is defined as: ''A feeling of quiet pleasure or security; self-satisfaction.'' Normally speaking, complacency is not a characteristic to be desired. No one in the business world would want to employ a complacent individual. No coach would want to train a complacent athlete. Teacher certainly don't look forward to teaching complacent students. See what I mean? Also, normally, we wouldn't want believers to be complacent. After salvation we should then strive to be all we can be for the Savior.
Now let's look at Paul's side of the story. In verse eleven He declared himself to be a contented man. Look this word up in any Greek lexicon and you'll discover it's broader meaning to be ''self-complacent or contented.'' Simply put, Paul was content or complacent with the circumstances of his life. He never longed for more than the Lord wanted him to have and had no desire to be any place other than where the Lord wanted him to be. This is a startling revelation considering the fact that he was in prison and undoubtedly suffering.
Paul was complacent about his lot in life because God's will was more important to him than anything else. Can we say the same?
PAUL'S COMPLACENCY HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH NEED
11 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content:
No doubt Paul needed a lot. If this ...
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