Wantless

Dr. Rikki Permenter

“I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation…”

Philippians 4: 12

When is the last time you didn’t want? It seems like people are wired to want. We want and we get and then we want more. That is the thing with wanting, it never ends. Can you remember the last time you were wantless? Can you remember the last time that you were content with all you have?

Paul, in a letter to the church at Philippi writes about being free of want. He focused on need. He penned "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.” He knew the secret. He focused on being content in every circumstance because he knew things were not the point of life. As long as he was provided with his needs (food, shelter, clothing) and sometimes even when we wasn’t he was content.

Do you know the difference between a need and a want? A wise man once told me that needs are the things you have to have to make it through tomorrow and wants are everything else. Are you content in every circumstance?

This article can be found in print in the monthly Baptist Association of Southeast Louisiana newsletter.