Thoughts From Philippians 4 - Part 5

 I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 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. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength. Phil. 4:10-13

        There are two very popular yet greatly misunderstood verses in Philippians chapter four. The first is the "eye-black" verses, thirteen. This is the "eye-black verse" because athletes, specifically football players, wear it on a black adhesive under their eyes. 

To them it means I can throw a touchdown pass or make an elusive run or make a game saving tackle through the power of Christ in my life. I can accomplish the impossible trusting in God's strength. While I love the sentiment and the fact that these guys are sharing God's word in public, it is grossly taken out of context. The key to understanding the verse is found in the highlighted word "this" in verse 13 although in fairness to Tim Tebow, "this" isn't found in the King James Version.

         What does "this" refer to? It refers to being content whether you have much or in abundance, or whether you have little like barely getting by. I suppose that a football player would be technically correct in wearing it if he is saying, "whether I win or lose, fumble or succeed, I will be content because I have Jesus. If that's what they mean by wearing it, good on them! Paul, when he was riding high as a prominent Pharisee probably had a nice house, a wife, ate at the finest establishments, had a closet full of tunics and went to the high-class bath houses. He had made it in the worlds' eyes. Then he got saved and was ostracized, in fear of his life, imprisoned, and dependent on the generosity of others and the supernatural provision by God for his next meal. Unlike us, Paul was just as happy with either, because he realized that the only thing that matters is having Christ.

          When should we wear the eye black? When we are staying at a motel 6 instead of an all-inclusive to better steward God's money. When we use our vacation time and discretionary funds to go on a mission trip instead of a cruise. When we quit a lucrative job to follow God's leading in a calling that doesn't pay well. When you choose to quit your job to raise children and have to go on a strict budget. Go ahead, put on the eye black and wear it proudly, but only if you can truly say that you are content. If you are jealously longing for the luxuries of life, then you haven't learned the secret of Jesus is better like Paul did.

       Comparison kills contentment. I don't know who coined that phrase, but nothing could be truer. Paul didn't have social media where at your fingertips are images of people enjoying all the things that you don't have. Maybe you need to go off social media. Or maybe you need to fall in love with Jesus so much that you can say, "As the deer pants for water, so my soul longs for You." Then like Paul you can say "I can do all this through Christ who strengthens me."