Verse by Verse Devotional on Philippians by Pastor Jack #252

Being Content When OTHERS Are Rich

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."

Part of being content in humble circumstances, hunger and need is being content when others around you have more than you. Often this is the hardest part of all.

It is not so hard to accept being poor when everyone is experiencing the same hardships. But when we have to be poor while others are experiencing plenty, now that’s a different story! In our pride we like being above others, or at least on a par. But most humans don’t do well being below others. This is just pride. And God often puts us in situations where we ARE below others so that, in His love, He can teach us humility. Remember, not only what we have is ours, but even what the other guy has is ours. The money in the other guys pocket is in his pocket and not in my pocket for MY sake. It is not a mistake that God has made others richer than we are. He has done it for us! It is so good for us to learn contentment in having less than others have.

The big test for us when others around us have more than us in material things is to remember and believe that we are rich and through Christ possess all things.

But what a glory it is to boast in our riches, when in the world’s eyes we have very little! Poverty provides us with a marvelous platform to brag about our riches in Christ Jesus:

"The brother of humble circumstances is to glory in his high position." (James 1:9)

No one else can proclaim the glorious riches of Christ Jesus more effectively than the one who has little in terms of the world’s goods, because his boasting cannot be mistaken for glorying in earthly benefits.

Another temptation that folks experience when others around them have more is to adjust their sense of need according to the standard of living of those around them. Paul says:

"If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content." (1Tim.6:8)

But we have added a lot of things above and beyond food and clothing to this list. And we have done so under the influence of those around us. Today, for instance, a television set is considered by most to be a necessity. As our church has tried to help people who come to us in need, we have yet to come across a person who is willing to sell us his VCR for a very generous price in order to pay his rent or electric bill. We have met some who seem like they would rather die than cut off their cable TV. But most of us think of fashionable clothes, tasty food, recreational opportunities and hot showers as necessities. There are many places in the world where things WE consider necessities are luxuries, and where even things we throw away are coveted. We must not let our standards be set by our affluent society, or we will often feel poor when indeed we are not.

Dear Father, I rejoice in Your great goodness today. You have crowned me with lovingkindness and compassion. You have satisfied my years with good things so that my youth is renewed like the eagle. Forgive me for forgetting so many of Your benefits. Help me to bless Your name every day. Help me wake up each morning and remember who You are and what You have done for me and worship You. May my days be dominated by a sense of richness in Christ Jesus.