Philippians 4:10-13

True contentment is found in resting in our Lord Jesus Christ

Dear brothers and sisters, warm greetings to you!
As Chinese New Year draws near, on behalf of the pastoral team, I would like to wish everyone a blessed New Year in the Lord. May you experience His grace, walk closely in His will, and find joy in pleasing Him in all things.

I can do all this through him who gives me strength. (Phil 4:13)

As we step into a new year, we have much to thank God for — His protection over our families, safety in our daily journeys, children who are growing well, good health in body and mind, and peace in Christ.
During my recent time of prayer, I was reminded of a sharing I once gave at the Cantonese Feng Cai Ting Fellowship, based on Philippians 4:10–13. When Paul wrote this passage, he had just received a gift from the church in Philippi —likely a generous one. In verse 10, he expressed heartfelt gratitude for their concern. Yet he also took the opportunity to share a lesson he had learned through life’s ups and downs: “I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 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. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”
The apostle Paul was saying that in every situation — whether in prosperity or poverty, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want — he had learned how to remain steady and content.
Contentment is a spiritual discipline. If we constantly ask ourselves why we never seem to have enough, what happens? We easily slip into complaint and dissatisfaction. We may push ourselves to work harder and earn more, but along the way, we risk neglecting our families — and even neglecting God.
Ecclesiastes 4:4–6 reminds us: “And I saw that all toil and all achievement spring from one person’s envy of another. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind. Fools fold their hands and ruin themselves. Better one handful with tranquillity than two handfuls with toil and chasing after the wind.”
As the author of Ecclesiastes reflected on his life, he recognised that much of human striving and achievement can ultimately feel empty. Verse 6 tells us that one handful with tranquillity is better than two handfuls gained through restless striving. In other words, having enough is enough. When our needs are met, our hearts can rest. Though this insight came later in his life, he clearly understood the value of contentment and the blessing of a peaceful spirit.
True contentment is found in resting in our Lord Jesus Christ. Because Christ dwells in us and we walk closely with Him, we can remain content in every season. Philippians 4:13 reminds us, “I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”
Through the strength Christ provides, we can face every circumstance — whether in abundance or in lack, in comfort or in hardship. We learn not merely to cope, but to trust — and in trusting, to be content.
I thank God that when I was younger, He led me to let go of my career and enter full-time ministry. Choosing not to pursue worldly success, and instead learning to be content in the Lord, has been a great blessing. Some of my former teaching colleagues were surprised by my decision, and a few even shared later that after stepping back themselves, they discovered life could still be meaningful — and simpler than they had imagined. By God’s grace, as I depend on the One who strengthens me, I continue learning what it means to be content in every circumstance.
As we begin this new year, my prayer is that each of us will learn to rely more deeply on Jesus Christ and grow in contentment in Him. Through the One who gives us strength, we can walk through every season of life — in plenty or in need, in joy or in challenge. Together, we journey on, supporting one another, sharing burdens and blessings alike, and learning to find true contentment in the Lord.
May the Lord be with us all.