The apostle Paul wrote to the church in Philippi these words: "...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. I can do everything through Him who gives me strength." Philippians 4:11-13
Paul was passing on what he had learned through serving the Lord, how to be content no matter what he was facing. Let's remember that Paul was writing this letter while he was sitting in prison! Not the most ideal circumstances. Wouldn't it be wonderful if we all could say we were content no matter what? We live in a world where there is a greed for more, for bigger, for better, always striving, never content, always reaching, never attaining. Sadly this mindset has crept into the lives of many Believers as well. We look to things for our happiness instead of to God.
Sometimes we confuse 'needs' with 'wants'. When we stop to carefully look at the situation we can properly assess whether it is a true need or just a want. God has promised to give us the desires of our heart. And yes He has given me some of my wants as well as providing for my needs. He is a generous God. He loves to give His children good gifts. (Mat 7:11) "If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?"
Paul goes on to say in verse 19 of chapter 4: "and my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus." What a promise! We do not have to be self-sufficient, we need to be God-sufficient. We need to learn to depend on him for everything. That's not to say that we shouldn't work, or we shouldn't try to better ourselves, but it should not be out focus to lay up treasures here on earth. (Mat 6:19) " Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
(Mat 6:20) But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:"
I personally understand what Paul was trying to say. There have been times in my life when I have had very little and I have had plenty, yet I knew God would never forsake me. (Heb 13:5) "Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee."
He has promised in His Word that He will always be with me, watching over me, taking care of me, providing for me. He is my Father, I am His daughter. He knows what I need, and He will provide it. I have discovered Paul's secret to happiness: to fully rely on God for everything.
If you have found yourself caught in the world's mindset, of always seeking and never finding, why not turn your desires over to the Lord and allow Him to change your mindset. Things will never bring you lasting happiness. There will always be bigger and better out there and you can get caught on that hampster wheel very easily. But when our focus is on God and the things of God, our priorities change and we find that we finally have contentment that the things of this world could never bring.
Paul was passing on what he had learned through serving the Lord, how to be content no matter what he was facing. Let's remember that Paul was writing this letter while he was sitting in prison! Not the most ideal circumstances. Wouldn't it be wonderful if we all could say we were content no matter what? We live in a world where there is a greed for more, for bigger, for better, always striving, never content, always reaching, never attaining. Sadly this mindset has crept into the lives of many Believers as well. We look to things for our happiness instead of to God.
Sometimes we confuse 'needs' with 'wants'. When we stop to carefully look at the situation we can properly assess whether it is a true need or just a want. God has promised to give us the desires of our heart. And yes He has given me some of my wants as well as providing for my needs. He is a generous God. He loves to give His children good gifts. (Mat 7:11) "If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?"
Paul goes on to say in verse 19 of chapter 4: "and my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus." What a promise! We do not have to be self-sufficient, we need to be God-sufficient. We need to learn to depend on him for everything. That's not to say that we shouldn't work, or we shouldn't try to better ourselves, but it should not be out focus to lay up treasures here on earth. (Mat 6:19) " Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
(Mat 6:20) But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:"
I personally understand what Paul was trying to say. There have been times in my life when I have had very little and I have had plenty, yet I knew God would never forsake me. (Heb 13:5) "Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee."
He has promised in His Word that He will always be with me, watching over me, taking care of me, providing for me. He is my Father, I am His daughter. He knows what I need, and He will provide it. I have discovered Paul's secret to happiness: to fully rely on God for everything.
If you have found yourself caught in the world's mindset, of always seeking and never finding, why not turn your desires over to the Lord and allow Him to change your mindset. Things will never bring you lasting happiness. There will always be bigger and better out there and you can get caught on that hampster wheel very easily. But when our focus is on God and the things of God, our priorities change and we find that we finally have contentment that the things of this world could never bring.
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