知足常樂的祕訣
腓立書四章10至23節
10我靠主大大的喜樂，因為你們思念我的心如今又發生；你們向來就思念我，只是沒得機會。
11我並不是因缺乏說這話；我無論在甚麼景況都可以知足，這是我已經學會了。
12我知道怎樣處卑賤，也知道怎樣處豐富；或飽足，或飢餓；或有餘，或缺乏，隨事隨在，我都得了祕訣。
13我靠著那加給我力量的，凡事都能做。
14然而，你們和我同受患難原是美事。
15腓立比人哪，你們也知道我初傳福音離了馬其頓的時候，論到授受的事，除了你們以外，並沒有別的教會供給我。
16就是我在帖撒羅尼迦，你們也一次兩次的打發人供給我的需用。
17我並不求甚麼餽送，所求的就是你們的果子漸漸增多，歸在你們的賬上。
18但我樣樣都有，並且有餘。我已經充足，因我從以巴弗提受了你們的餽送，當作極美的香氣，為神所收納、所喜悅的祭物。
19我的神必照他榮耀的豐富，在基督耶穌裡，使你們一切所需用的都充足。
20願榮耀歸給我們的父神，直到永永遠遠。阿們！
21請問在基督耶穌裡的各位聖徒安。在我這裡的眾弟兄都問你們安。
22眾聖徒都問你們安。在該撒家裡的人特特的問你們安。
23願主耶穌基督的恩常在你們心裡！
信息分享
在這封寫給腓立比教會的致謝信中，保羅即使來到信的結尾，還對我們作出了很多教導。第11至12節給我們一個重要的功課。保羅說：「無論處於任何景況，我都學會了知足。有的時候，我的口袋沒有分文，但我已學會接受是主的安排，要我懂得處於貧窮。但有的時候，我很富足，我亦已學會接受是主的賞賜，要我懂得擅於運用。」
這是一項不容易學到的功課啊！人的本性，似乎只懂得攫取物質。當然，我們的確需要不少物資，才能過每天的生活。然而，這個世界所鼓吹的消費心態，卻逐漸使我們把物質放在人生的首位；同時，令我們覺得只有獲得我們所要望的東西，才會有真正的快樂。
我們的主耶穌曾經多次論及這個問題。請翻到馬太福音第六章，請讀第25至33節。基督說：「不要為吃甚麼、穿甚麼或錢財憂慮。你們的天父知道你們需要甚麼，祂會供給你們。你們卻要把基督放在首位，在祂裡面尋找快樂；其他一切的需用，慈愛的天父會供給你們的了。」
保羅親身學會了基督教導的真理。他能夠這樣說：「對於我現在所擁有的東西，和處於的境況--即使是被囚在獄中--我仍然感到完全的滿足。我之所以被囚，因為是神要我被囚；祂如果要我得自由，我就會得自由了。」這種心態豈不是很難能可貴嗎？我們是否願意由今天開始學習這項功課呢？保羅說我們必能學會的--祕訣是在第13節：「我靠著基督，凡事都能作」。
HOW TO HAVE NOTHING AND STILL BE HAPPY
Philippians 4: 10 - 23
10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity.
11 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content:
12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
14 Nevertheless you have done well that you shared in my distress.
15 Now you Philippians know also that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church shared with me concerning giving and receiving but you only.
16 For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities.
17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account.
18 Indeed I have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God.
19 And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
20 Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.
21 Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren who are with me greet you.
22 All the saints greet you, but especially those who are of Caesar’s household.
23 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
Message
Paul has a lot to say to us all in these last few verses of this thank you letter to the church at Philippi. One very important lesson for us in found in verses 11 - 12. Paul says 'I have learned to be content in whatever place and under whatever conditions God allows. There have been times when I have had absolutely nothing in my pockets and I have accepted it as from the Lord. Sometimes I have had plenty and I have taken that as from the Lord too and been careful how I spent what I had.'
That is not an easy lesson to learn. It seems natural just to want 'things'. There are many things of course which we need to enable us to live our ordinary lives. But the spirit of the world around us is to put 'things' above everything else and to think that happiness comes when we are able to get everything we want.
Our Lord Jesus had a lot to say about this. Turn to Matthew 6 and read verses 25 to 33. Christ said, 'Don't be anxious about food, clothing, or money. Your Father knows what you need and he will provide it. But you put Christ first and find your happiness in him and all the other things you need for this life will be supplied by your loving heavenly Father.'
Paul has learned the truth of Christ's words in his own life. He was able to say, 'I am perfectly content with what I have and where I am - in jail. I am here because God wants me here and when he wants me to be free, he will set me free.' Isn't that a wonderful attitude? Would we be willing to start learning that lesson in God's school today? Paul says we can. Read the secret in verse 13. 'I can do all things through Christ'.