知足常乐的秘诀
腓立书四章10至23节
10我靠主大大的喜乐，因为你们思念我的心如今又发生；你们向来就思念我，只是没得机会。
11我并不是因缺乏说这话；我无论在甚么景况都可以知足，这是我已经学会了。
12我知道怎样处卑贱，也知道怎样处丰富；或饱足，或饥饿；或有余，或缺乏，随事随在，我都得了秘诀。
13我靠着那加给我力量的，凡事都能做。
14然而，你们和我同受患难原是美事。
15腓立比人哪，你们也知道我初传福音离了马其顿的时候，论到授受的事，除了你们以外，并没有别的教会供给我。
16就是我在帖撒罗尼迦，你们也一次两次的打发人供给我的需用。
17我并不求甚么餽送，所求的就是你们的果子渐渐增多，归在你们的账上。
18但我样样都有，并且有余。我已经充足，因我从以巴弗提受了你们的餽送，当作极美的香气，为神所收纳、所喜悦的祭物。
19我的神必照他荣耀的丰富，在基督耶稣里，使你们一切所需用的都充足。
20愿荣耀归给我们的父神，直到永永远远。阿们！
21请问在基督耶稣里的各位圣徒安。在我这里的众弟兄都问你们安。
22众圣徒都问你们安。在该撒家里的人特特的问你们安。
23愿主耶稣基督的恩常在你们心里！
信息分享
在这封写给腓立比教会的致谢信中，保罗即使来到信的结尾，还对我们作出了很多教导。第11至12节给我们一个重要的功课。保罗说：「无论处于任何景况，我都学会了知足。有的时候，我的口袋没有分文，但我已学会接受是主的安排，要我懂得处于贫穷。但有的时候，我很富足，我亦已学会接受是主的赏赐，要我懂得擅于运用。」
这是一项不容易学到的功课啊！人的本性，似乎只懂得攫取物质。当然，我们的确需要不少物资，才能过每天的生活。然而，这个世界所鼓吹的消费心态，却逐渐使我们把物质放在人生的首位；同时，令我们觉得只有获得我们所要望的东西，才会有真正的快乐。
我们的主耶稣曾经多次论及这个问题。请翻到马太福音第六章，请读第25至33节。基督说：「不要为吃甚么、穿甚么或钱财忧虑。你们的天父知道你们需要甚么，祂会供给你们。你们却要把基督放在首位，在祂里面寻找快乐；其他一切的需用，慈爱的天父会供给你们的了。」
保罗亲身学会了基督教导的真理。他能够这样说：「对于我现在所拥有的东西，和处于的境况--即使是被囚在狱中--我仍然感到完全的满足。我之所以被囚，因为是神要我被囚；祂如果要我得自由，我就会得自由了。」这种心态岂不是很难能可贵吗？我们是否愿意由今天开始学习这项功课呢？保罗说我们必能学会的--秘诀是在第13节：「我靠着基督，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'.