Understanding these basic principles, will change our ‘want’
list and our ‘need’ list. The apostle Paul said: “I can do all things through
Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13). Do all things? Could he
fly like Superman or climb walls like Spiderman? No, but everything he did do,
whether by choice or circumstance, Paul knew he could do it because he was
doing it God’s way. It didn’t matter if he was hungry or full, in prison or
free; he knew, because he was doing what he could, that God was there with him
helping him through that moment with what he did have. He always had enough.
Did he have that brand new 40 B.C. custom four horse drawn
chariot to get around? No, but he did have two good feet and a reliable pair of
sandals. Did he have the best neighbors, or friends, or a perfect spouse? No.
He didn’t even have a house to have neighbors, unless you count the guys in the
next jail cell at many points in his journey. Through his life, Paul wrote 13
books of the New Testament. I am certain, many people of his time would have
looked at him and considered him poor and wanting even for the basic “necessities”.
I am also certain, God gave him everything he truly needed.
Enough is truly a measure of perspective. I have two
children here, and two in heaven. I grew up in a small family all the while
envying larger ones. I always said I wanted 8 or 10 or more children. Do I have
enough? Absolutely. My wife and I have all the major appliances one might need.
Do they all match? No. Are they still enough? Absolutely. Do I have vacations
to Hawaii or Disney World? No. Our most cherished family vacations have been to
places like a little town nobody has heard of on Michigan beach. I am spoiled
by God almighty.
The contented person is never poor; the discontented is
never rich.
Stop and look at your life… Do you have enough?
