The Secret of Happiness - Philippians 4:11-14

"I don't say this out of need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to have a little, and I know how to have 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."

In reference to their faithful financial support of his ministry, the Apostle Paul expressed his appreciation to the Philippians by making the well-known and oft-quoted declaration that he can do all things through Christ who strengthens him.

This assertion seems to be an unlikely way to tell the Philippians thank-you, because it doesn't acknowledge the financial support they gave Paul to conduct his ministry.

But, that's precisely Paul's point, I suppose. Read on and you will see what I mean.

Paul explained to the Philippians that regardless of their financial support of his ministry, he was content no matter what his economic outlook and circumstances were.

Whether he had a little or a lot, whether he was living in poverty or prosperity, whether he had rags or riches, Paul was content!

He had achieved contentment, satisfaction, happiness, fulfillment!

And Paul told the Philippians he had achieved this contentment because he had learned the secret of happiness: "I am able to do all things through Him who strengthens me."

Paul indicated that while he was grateful for the Philippian's financial support, he didn't actually need their financial support because it was Christ's power, not the power of money, that enabled him and his ministry.

Paul had complete confidence in Christ's empowerment and so he didn't have to rely on the generosity (or lack of generosity) of others. Therefore, Paul could be happy because he was assured that whatever his circumstances in life, it was God's will for him.

Your circumstances won't dictate your attitude about them when you lean on Christ's power to provide for all your financial needs, no matter how little or great they may be.

Only by depending completely on God to supply your needs will you find satisfaction in all things you do because then you are assured you are doing God's will.

So, if we declare that we can do all things through the strengthening that Christ gives us, we are expressing our confidence in His ability to provide for our financial needs at whatever level that might be.

And if we can trust Him to supply our financial needs, then we can trust Him in all things!

And if we can have confidence that what we have (or don't have) is the direct result of Christ's provisioning, then we have found the secret to happiness.

Because we know that through all the financial undulations of life, in all of life's ups and downs, it is Christ who both provides for us and gives us the inner capacity to be content with what we have, be it little or be it much!

"And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him" (Colossians 3:17).