Thursday Devo
Scripture:
Philippians 4:10-14
10 How I praise the Lord that you are concerned about me again. I know you have always been concerned for me, but you didn’t have the chance to help me. 11 Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. 12 I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. 13 For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. 14 Even so, you have done well to share with me in my present difficulty.
10 How I praise the Lord that you are concerned about me again. I know you have always been concerned for me, but you didn’t have the chance to help me. 11 Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. 12 I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. 13 For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. 14 Even so, you have done well to share with me in my present difficulty.
Commentary:
4:10–11 Paul is grateful for the Philippians’ support, but he wants them to know that even in difficult circumstances he has learned … to be content.
4:12–13 The secret of living amid life’s difficulties is simple: trusting God in such a way that one can say, I can do all things through him who strengthens me. This does not mean God will bless whatever a person does; it must be read within the context of the letter, with its emphasis on obedience to God and service to God and others.
4:12–13 The secret of living amid life’s difficulties is simple: trusting God in such a way that one can say, I can do all things through him who strengthens me. This does not mean God will bless whatever a person does; it must be read within the context of the letter, with its emphasis on obedience to God and service to God and others.
Questions:
- In 2 Corinthians chapter 9, Paul once again compares the Corinthians to the Macedonians. The Macedonians, if you remember, were very poor but still eager to give all they had. The Macedonians had been blessed with contentment in their poverty, allowing them to still be moved to be generous. He was urging the Corinthians to also be content, but in their affluence, and to give generously the extra they had. Paul said in Philippians 4:11-12, "Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. 12 I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little." Whether you have a lot or a little, are you content with what God has blessed you with? Or are you constantly driven to acquire more stuff? How do you know if you are content?
- In verse 9, Paul quotes from Psalm 111-112... "They share freely and give generously to the poor. Their good deeds will be remembered forever." These verses celebrate the blessings that come to the one who fears the Lord and delights in His commandments. A person that is blessed by God with material prosperity is to be generous! And those of us living in America, whatever the income, are highly blessed with prosperity. Do you struggle to see yourself as blessed with prosperity? Do you think this keeps you from being generous?
Pray:
- That you would learn to be content.
- That you would be generous because you are so blessed.
This Week's City 7:
Try to commit to memory!
1. Who is Jesus? I believe Jesus is God because Jesus said He is God and proved it by rising from the dead and appearing to His disciples, His brother James, 500 others at one time and Paul.
(Mark 3:21; John 8:58, 10:30-33, 14:9-11; Acts 9:1-6; 1 Corinthians 15:3-8; Colossians 1:15-20; Hebrews 1:2-3; James 1:1)
(Mark 3:21; John 8:58, 10:30-33, 14:9-11; Acts 9:1-6; 1 Corinthians 15:3-8; Colossians 1:15-20; Hebrews 1:2-3; James 1:1)
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