Page 63 - Living Light - A Message of Joy!

Monday February 12 - Overflowing generosity
I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts
you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice... Phil. 4:18
Joy comes down from above, from the throne of God’s grace. But that does not mean it is divorced from human connections. Paul rejoices that the Philippian church has renewed its concern for him. His appreciation to them for meeting his material needs is what occasions this letter and ignites his joy. He is grateful that God has met his needs through the generosity of Christians in Philippi. Paul understands that it is God who is working in and through them.
That God should communicate his blessings through others, particularly those we are related to in the local church, is a wonderful and God-glorifying arrangement. The ordinary means of grace often go unrecognised and undervalued. It’s easy to gravitate to the more spectacular manifestations of God’s provision and miss his presence in the commonly appointed ways he chooses to bless us.
The grace of giving is one such means to provide for the needs of the saints and advance the gospel. Let’s not fail to recognise God’s provision through brothers and sisters in Christ. And let us play our part in overflowing generosity for the glory of God.
Paul’s attitude is a fine example for all believers. He’s not dependent on circumstances for his joy but is quick to see God’s hand at work through others. Whilst all joy comes from God, it abounds in fellowship with his people.
Father God, please help me to play my part in the support of gospel ministry. Amen.
Tuesday February 13 - Supernatural contentment
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... Philippians 4:12
Whilst Paul abounds in thanksgiving to God for his needs being met by the support of the church in Philippi, he nevertheless expresses his contentment in all circumstances. When Paul writes, ‘I have learned to be content’, he is speaking of a calm acceptance of his present lot in life. To be discontented with his situation would imply that Paul would prefer to be somewhere else than where the sovereign hand of God had assigned him, and to have more than the sovereign hand of God had given him.
Rather, he demonstrates that Christian contentment is to have a peaceful acceptance of where God has providentially placed him. Notice, this godly attitude is ‘learned’. Not by ‘sitting at the feet of’ Gamaliel, his mentor and tutor in Judaism (see Acts 22:3), nor by having one of the greatest minds in the ancient world (Galatians 1:14). Contentment was something he had to learn in the school of discipleship. It is often the case that this is learned not in times of prosperity but in adversity.
No matter what the situation, Paul has everything he needs in the fulness of his Saviour and Lord. Nothing outside of Christ is necessary for contentedness. The ‘secret’ lies in the all-sufficiency of Christ. As one commentator has written, ‘supernatural contentment in every circumstance, whether horrible or happy: that’s what God offers.’
Father, help me to understand the ways of your providence, and to trust you no matter what. Amen.
PRAYER FOR TODAY
PRAYER FOR TODAY
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