I Can Do All Things…
An often misappropriated verse of Scriptures is Philippians 4:13. As usual, people get away with this because they ignore the context of what the apostle Paul was saying. Here it is:
Philippians 4:10-14
10 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity.
11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.
12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.
13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
14 Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble.
As is obvious from the context, our brother Paul was saying that he had learnt contentment, and could endure or adjust to all situations – those of plenty and those of lack. Paul was not motivating believers to grab more and seek to be rich or anything of the sort when he said, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”. No, he was presenting us a model of contentment.
Here, Paul defines contentment for us. Some think that contentment means never having, accepting or enjoying more. No; it doesn’t.
Contentment is the attitude that says if I never have more than I have now, that is fine, but if I do get more, that is just as fine.
That is what Paul’s words here reflect. Less is not bad. Neither is more. Life goes on either way. This is different from the grab-all-you-can attitude being promoted in our dead churches, all in the name of “prosperity”.
As I keep saying to people, our parents taught us contentment; the apostate church of today undid the good job our parents did and taught us to be greedy.
1 Timothy 6:3-11
3 If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness,
4 he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions,
5 and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain.
6 Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment,
7 for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world.
8 But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.
9 But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.
10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.
11 But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness.
What else does Scripturer say on this matter?
Hebrews 13:5-6
5 Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
6 So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?”
We will do well to heed these eternal words of our Lord. God bless.
