Christian Foundations

June 19, 2007

Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.

--Philippians 4:11-12

God is committed to your success as a Christian. And one of the ways He prepares you for godly success is…believe it or not…through tests of prosperity.

Now, usually you hear preachers talk a lot about tests of adversity…which we’ve spent a lot of time over the past several days. But I’d argue that perhaps the most difficult test in life is not the test of adversity but rather the test of prosperity.

Most of us are able to handle adversity in Christ. But many of us have more difficulty in handling our prosperity when we have been so blessed in Christ.

Paul was able to handle both adversity and prosperity…as we note in today’s passage. But what about you? How do you respond when God blesses you? Do you find yourself depending less on God when times are good? Do you ever find yourself spending less time in God’s Word and in prayer when your needs aren’t so pressing?

As you grow in your relationship with Christ, it’s my hope that you’ll fall so much in love with Jesus that your desire to spend time with Him won’t hinge on how stressed out you are. That you will learn, as Paul did, to be content in both adversity and prosperity.

godly success comes through the tests of prosperity.