Have you?
The apostle Paul writes,
“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.”Philippians 4:12,
I’m not sure who said it but someone once said,
“I’ve been rich and I’ve been poor. And, believe me, rich is better.”
Most would I think agree they would rather be rich, and there is nothing wrong with being rich. There are many rich believers in Christ Jesus who donate some of their wealth and time to serving the Lord.
The key for the believer in Christ Jesus is where is your true wealth. Jesus said,
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.
But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:19-21.
Matthew’s gospel records this incident between Jesus and a rich young man. Matthew records,
“Now a man came up to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?”
“Why do you ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, obey the commandments.”
“Which ones?” the man inquired. Jesus replied, “ ‘Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honor your father and mother,’ and ‘love your neighbor as yourself.’’”
“All these I have kept,” the young man said. “What do I still lack?”
Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.” Matthew 19:16-22.
The young man in this incident had put his faith in his earthly wealth, not in God.
The true test of our faith is not in the good times, but in the bad times. It is in times of trial that our faith in God is tested.
The apostle Paul underwent many tests. Everything from being shipwrecked to being stoned to being put into jail. As he said in the verse I quoted above,
“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.”Philippians 4:12.
Paul goes on to say,
“I can do everything through him who gives me strength” Philippians 4:13.
If you are a believer in Christ Jesus, can you say what Paul says? Have you learned to be content in every situation?
Please think about it.
The apostle Paul writes,
“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.”Philippians 4:12,
I’m not sure who said it but someone once said,
“I’ve been rich and I’ve been poor. And, believe me, rich is better.”
Most would I think agree they would rather be rich, and there is nothing wrong with being rich. There are many rich believers in Christ Jesus who donate some of their wealth and time to serving the Lord.
The key for the believer in Christ Jesus is where is your true wealth. Jesus said,
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.
But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:19-21.
Matthew’s gospel records this incident between Jesus and a rich young man. Matthew records,
“Now a man came up to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?”
“Why do you ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, obey the commandments.”
“Which ones?” the man inquired. Jesus replied, “ ‘Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honor your father and mother,’ and ‘love your neighbor as yourself.’’”
“All these I have kept,” the young man said. “What do I still lack?”
Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.” Matthew 19:16-22.
The young man in this incident had put his faith in his earthly wealth, not in God.
The true test of our faith is not in the good times, but in the bad times. It is in times of trial that our faith in God is tested.
The apostle Paul underwent many tests. Everything from being shipwrecked to being stoned to being put into jail. As he said in the verse I quoted above,
“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.”Philippians 4:12.
Paul goes on to say,
“I can do everything through him who gives me strength” Philippians 4:13.
If you are a believer in Christ Jesus, can you say what Paul says? Have you learned to be content in every situation?
Please think about it.
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