“Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” (Philippians 4:11–13, KJV)
In life we go through many phases and ordeals. Years ago, I began a consulting business to assist manufacturing companies in improving their processes to improve productivity and their bottom line. This included both machine analysis and redesign, and continuous improvement in production management systems.
Well, the business began with a bang. Contracts rolled in and I was living the high life for about six months. Then the bottom dropped out. I had no work for about six months. My business account dropped down to zero. Then I dug into my personal account and we also went close to the bottom. Then business started coming in again. Through this I learned to be more frugal with my income so that I would always have sufficient resources to weather the droughts.
I thought that I had learned my lesson. However, six months later, the same thing happened again. We had another six-month drought, no business. The same thing happened. The business account was drained, my personal account was drained, I even had to sell a car that I restored to get money to pay the bills and get food for the family. I went out to find business and no matter how many doors I knocked on I got nothing.
Then one day, when things were getting desperate, I received a call from a manufacturing company that needed a modification to one of their machines. I took the job and within a month had sufficient operating capital to get a paycheck and keep the business going. Then something miraculous happened I started getting call after call for work. Soon the business was flush and we never saw another drop off. What was the lesson? Through thick or thin the Lord always provided.
Paul in this section gives us a lesson on faith. He wrote of his ups and downs while in the ministry. There were times of abundance when he was content and had plenty. He also wrote of times that were lean. Yet, in every situation he realized that the Lord was with him and that the Lord had provided everything that he needed. He concluded,
“I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:12–13, ESV)
What specifically did he learn? He learned to trust the Lord to take him through any situation of life. Paul would accomplish the mission the Lord had given him. It was not by Paul’s might or strength. On the contrary, Paul realized that he could do all things through the Lord who gave him strength.
Somehow through the ups and downs of the consulting business that I ran, I learned a lesson that would carry me through the pastoral ministry. Early on, I planted a small church on a college campus where my first year’s salary was one-hundred dollars per month. Yes, I was bi-vocational. While I focused on the ministry and not the consulting business, every time the finances approached zero, I would receive a phone call from someone who needed my services. The Lord provided.
What I learned through all this would become vital when I answered a call to a church in New Hampshire that was struggling. Financially they could only guarantee me six-months of income. Yet I knew that the Lord wanted me there and that He would provide. Within two years the Lord grew the church in every way. There was a budget surplus after two years and this continued during my ten-year tenure.
When you experience difficulty in life, God is often using it to strengthen you in the faith.
Renewing the Heart 