The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Philippians 4:10-13, “But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at last you have revived your concern for me;

indeed, you were concerned before, but you lacked opportunity.

11 Not that I speak from want; for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.

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.

13 I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.”

How many things can you do? You can read and write. You can count. You can catch and throw a ball. And you can do many other things –things I do not know or cannot suppose just now. The Apostle Paul was a tentmaker by trade.

Jewish boys were taught a trade as well as the teachings of Old Testament Scripture. When he became a believer in Jesus Christ, he began to travel extensively. That meant he often did not have time to mend tents for a living. It was

then that the Churches contributed to he needs. Here in the verses above he thanks the Philippian believers for their

upkeep of him in his ministerial engagements.

This Letter, however, will not focus on those provisions. What I found interesting was things that Paul said he could do. First, he “…rejoiced in the LORD greatly,” concerning the financial assistance the Church had given him. Do you rejoice in the LORD over things that you have? Do you use what it given you to bless the lives of others? Moreover, we should rejoice over the graciousness of those who give, for it is the LORD who puts such thoughts in their hearts.

Second, Paul knew how to utilize to the glory of God all things that were given to him. Is that true of you? He knew how to live with little and with much. Do you seek the LORD’s guidance with regard to your spending, or do you just buy on sight whatever you want? In other words, are you a good steward of what the LORD has given you? Does the manner of your use of the things you buy bring glory to Him or to just to you?

Third, there is a secret of having an abundance or of suffering need. Paul learned how to conserve when he had plenty; he learned also how to suffer patiently when he had nothing. Have you learned his secret? Paul then told the

secret that captivated his life: “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” I have lived both kinds of lives.

I’ve eaten luxuriously and abundantly as the LORD provided through many hosts. I also know what it is to eat cooked potatoes sprinkled with tiny bits of meat. Through it all, we always bowed in prayer and thanked the LORD for His blessings! It’s “all things through Him.” That’s the secret. How will you endure, now that you know it? Yes, you can

“do all things through Him who strengthens” you!

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

P. S. Please remember to pray for the salvation of Whitney Tilson in New York City.

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas 72764

United States of America

“We never know that God is all we need

until He becomes all that we have.”