Phil 4:12-13: “I know both how to have a little, and I know how to have a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content—whether well fed or hungry, whether in abundance [plenty] or in need [want]. I am able to do all things through Him [Christ] who strengthens me.” [HCSB]
Paul reveals the secret to contentment—I am able to do all things through Christ who strengthens me. In any and all circumstances our dependence must be placed in Him.
Notice, Christ is our strength not just in the times of want but also in the times of plenty. That seems odd, doesn’t it? We expect Christ to be our strength in the times of want. When we do not have enough, we immediately turn our eyes toward Him to provide all we lack.
Yet Paul includes the idea of Christ being our strength in the times of plenty as well. There is perhaps no more dangerous a position than plenty. When we have plenty of money, plenty of opportunity, plenty of provision, plenty of success that is when we are inclined to believe it is because of our own doing. Our eyes turn away from Christ onto ourselves. We lose our thankfulness. We lose our dependence on Him Alone. Pride begins to invade.
Paul had experienced the spectrum of want and plenty. He found the secret to being content rested in dependence upon Christ in either. Christ provided the strength. Paul was instructed and Paul learned to handle every situation and all the various and different temptations and challenges that came with each.
May we also learn as Paul learned to depend totally and completely on Christ in times of plenty and in times of want.
