RPG Adults
TO ABASE AND TO ABOUND
SATURDAY, JUNE 24
Philippians 4:12
2 Corinthians 6:1-10
“I know both how to be abased,
and I know how to abound…”
TO ABASE AND TO ABOUND
Though Paul had already learned the principles of contentment, it was still something that had to be nurtured through experience. It was a continual instruction that he received from the Lord through both the blessings and adversities that he went through as he served the Lord.
The verbs in verse 12 (“know,” “instructed”) are used in the perfect tense. This refers to past actions with present consequences. The idea is that although he had already learned about contentment in the past, yet through the varied experiences that he had, he was continually growing in his ability to be content no matter what condition he was in.
In his life, he had experienced times of abasement and humiliation where he suffered hunger and many other afflictions. He faced real hardships where he was intensely persecuted by the enemies of Christ, stoned, and left for dead. Yet, there were also times when he abounded and experienced plenty, such as when he enjoyed the hospitality and care of loving brethren. This could refer to the times when he was welcome to the household of Lydia at Philippi (Acts 16:15), or when he was in the company of Aquila and Priscilla at Corinth (Acts 18:2-3). Sometimes, it is precisely such change that makes contentment so difficult. If we have only ever experienced poverty, we would not realise what we are missing out. It is only after we experience plenty and are full, then be cast suddenly into abject poverty, that we would find the change hard to accept. The opposite is also true, for it is only when we experience times of abasements ourselves, that we can appreciate the periods of abounding even more.
Through all these experiences, Paul was learning. He was continually reminded of the fact that he was just a sojourner on this earth, and his purpose was not to seek after the luxuries and comforts of this life. Amidst all the varying circumstances that he faced, he realised that the one thing that was constant and that kept him going, was not the food on the table or the clothes on his back, but his relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.
THOUGHT: The more I have, the harder it is to learn contentment.
PRAYER: Father, may Thou grant me the grace to be thankful in whatsoever circumstances Thou allowest me to go through.