Give Thanks in Plenty and in Want

I admit, I’m a sucker for any reel or caption that starts with “learn the secret to.” Maybe it’s clickbait, but what if it’s the very secret I’ve been waiting for? What will I finally learn that will change my life?

So when I read what Paul writes in Philippians 4:12, it holds my attention: “I have learned the secret of being content.” This is not clickbait. Don’t we all want to learn how to be content in both abundance and in need? The very next verse tells us how, as Paul shares that we can do all things “through him who strengthens me” (v.13).

But if you’re like me, you want more details. Perhaps you feel challenged, as I do, to “think carefully about your ways” (Haggai 1:5) when struggling to give thanks. I’ve struggled to give thanks while my stomach is in knots and with being grateful when I see no way out. When we’re battling discontentment, we need to ask where we are placing our faith. We must examine what our minds and hearts and souls are holding. Today’s passages help us dive deeper into what Paul meant. We see in these verses a declaration of God’s ownership, provision and placement over all things. Individually, each is a truth we may know and embrace. But when we line them up, we’re faced with some tough questions. 

Do we really believe these things: God leads us and gives us what we need (Psalm 23:1–3); He gives us a place to rest and eat (vv.2,5); He keeps His promise to provide (Deuteronomy 6:10); and everything in the heavens and on earth belongs to God (1Chronicles 29:11)?

Because the secret to giving thanks in plenty and in want lies in where our hearts and minds dwell. We can dwell on what we lack or dwell in His kingdom. We can dwell on what we can’t control or dwell in His promise to lead us and provide what we need. 

When I overfocus on what’s missing more than building up His kingdom (Haggai 1:4–6), that’s a sign my heart is dwelling on the world instead of dwelling in Christ. Through Jesus, we are no longer in bondage (Deuteronomy 6:12, Galatians 5:1), but dwelling in that freedom is a choice. Do we seek to give thanks no matter what? Or do we seek to fill our lack with this world? What we seek tells the story of where we dwell.

Let’s lay down seeking this world’s counterfeit peace and security, and instead seek first the kingdom of God (Matthew 6:33). Let’s choose to dwell in the house of the Lord forever (Psalm 23:6). Because when we truly believe He is ruler of everything (1Chronicles 29:12), we will seek His provision of green pastures and quiet waters as our plenty. 

Then we will have learned the secret.