Verse by Verse Devotional on Philippians by Pastor Jack #250

Learning to Live in Prosperity

4:12 "I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need."

It may sound like a joke that a person has to learn to live in prosperity, but it is very true. Just as there is a secret to getting along in humble circumstances, hunger and need, so there is a secret to getting along in prosperity, fullness and abundance.

How could anyone be discontent in plenty? For some, it is their greatest struggle.

Although we naturally like having plenty, because of guilt and because of pride some have difficulty with being content while living in abundance. Paul has much to say to us here about materialism and greed, but his words also guard against the opposite extreme: poverty-ism, anti-materialism, and asceticism. Paul can be content in abundance; many folks are only content in poverty.

There is nothing wrong with being rich. It is wrong to WANT to get rich (1Tim.6:9-10), but there is nothing wrong with BEING rich (1Tim.6:17ff.). Wealth is nothing to feel guilty about (assuming that you have become rich by legitimate means). If God gives you something, the right response is gratitude, not guilt feelings.

(There are special responsibilities that go along with being rich. These will be discussed in the next devotional.)

Here are some further thoughts on being content in plenty:

1- Struggling with prosperity can be a result of a bad attitude toward the rich. If a person has an attitude of resentment or jealousy toward those who are better off, he may feel uncomfortable moving into the category he has resented.

2- Part of this can be embarrassment. If a person has had a bad attitude toward the wealthy, he may not want to be wealthy because he knows others will have that same attitude toward him.

3- Some people assume the worst about rich folks. They assume that everyone who has money is a lover of money. And so if they come into wealth, they have trouble separating the heaven-sent blessing from the idolatry. It is very important to keep this distinction always in mind. One duty of love is to think the best of others. That means assuming that folks who are rich are not necessarily lovers of money.

When God blesses us with plenty (and most of us have our moments), the right thing to do is give thanks to God "who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy" (1Tim.6:17), not to feel guilty or embarrassed. Then use your plenty to serve the One who gave it.

O God, everything is Yours. You are unlimited in Your resources. Thank You for faithfully meeting all of my needs every day of my life. And thank You that in Your perfect wisdom You choose when I will experience plenty and when I will experience poverty. Help me to submit willingly to Your will, without grumbling and without guilt. And help me be faithful with whatever You give, to use it not for myself but for Your kingdom, whether it be little or much. May my whole life glorify Your name.