Find the Supply of Jesus for You. (Vs. 19)
In the context of this passage, Paul was commending the Philippian church members, because they were faithful to send Missionary Paul money to help him further the Gospel and plant new churches. Paul is the New Testament missionary that most missionaries pattern their ministry after – even today. Jesus gives a promise to those Christians who are faithful to give to missions work specifically – “God will supply all your need.”
These church folks were content with what money and things they had – so much so that they gave above their regular tithes and offerings to God through their church and gave extra to help Paul and other missionaries. These people had great faith in God and were not consumed with material gain. God has said – “I promise that I will give the selfless everything they need in life.” Do you believe this promise? Would you give more to missions if God asked you to?
A content person is willing to give more, and because of that willingness, God actually gives him more – to give in return! It all starts with contentment.
There are several things in life that cannot be bought. Like the old Mastercard commercials said: “Some things money can’t buy, for everything else, there’s Mastercard!”
- Good health has no price tag.
- Good friends cannot be bought.
- Great marriages are priceless.
- Great kids are worth every investment you put into them (and more).
Here are some things that only Jesus can supply.
The Peace of Mind.
Jesus said in John 14:27, Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
Years ago, Ray Cazis summarized a Duke University study on ‘peace of mind.’ Factors found to contribute greatly to emotional and mental stability are:
- “The absence of suspicion and resentment. Nursing a grudge was a major factor in unhappiness.
- Not living in the past. An unwholesome preoccupation with old mistakes and failures leads to depression.
- Not wasting time and energy fighting conditions you cannot change. Cooperate with life, instead of trying to run away from it.
- Force yourself to stay involved with the living world. Resist the temptation to withdraw and become reclusive during periods of emotional stress.
- Refuse to indulge in self-pity when life hands you a raw deal. Accept the fact that nobody gets through life without some sorrow and misfortune.
- Cultivate the old-fashioned virtues—love, humor, compassion and loyalty.
- Do not expect too much of yourself. When there is too wide a gap between self-expectation and your ability to meet the goals you have set, feelings of inadequacy are inevitable.
- Find something bigger than yourself to believe in. Self-centered egotistical people score lowest on any test for measuring happiness.”
That is a good summary with many biblical applications for our daily life. Are you living with peace in your life, or is your heart and mind full of anxiety today? Most of what we worry about will never happen anyway. Many times, it is the stuff we hope to have or patterns of life we resort to that are contributing to the lack of peace we may experience.
Please read on the the conclusion of In Search of Contentment, PART 6…
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