Philippians 4:10-12
Note: For the Summer we are reprinting some devotions that ran back when we were getting this site up and running. Hopefully this is new content to you, and we will get back into writing fresh devotions as our schedule allows.
10I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 11I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12I 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.
If there's one prayer a person should never pray, it's "God, teach me to be patient". If there's a second prayer a person should never pray, it's "God, teach me to be content". I know I've said this over and over again throughout this study, but PAUL IS IN PRISON!!!!! You wanna talk about someone backing up his words with actions!?! It would be easy to read this and say "Yeah, but Paul never went through what I'm going through." And you'd be right. I'm sure he never had to deal with his best friend getting a new video game, when all you have is this old one. All he had to deal with was Prison (twice), shipwreck (three times), beaten with rods (three times), stoned (not the good kind :p) (once). Not to mention the verbal attacks which I'm sure were constant.
When you have nothing it's easy to go into survival mode. It's when we start to get a little bit that we look around and say, why can't I have that? That's when we need to learn to focus on what God has given us, and look for ways to be a blessing to others (by the way, the word "concern" above could be translated as giving money).
-Jeff-
