"I know how to abound." -
Phi_4:12
C.H. Spurgeon is right when he said, "There are many who know "how to be abased" who have not learned "how to abound." When they are set upon the top of a pinnacle their heads grow dizzy, and they are ready to fall. The Christian far oftener disgraces his profession in prosperity than in adversity." I have seen it in myself. I neglect the things of God in abundance. Why ask God for things, when you have the means at your disposal already? Why ask God for the power to do what you can do for yourself already? It is a spiritual trap, not set by God, but by the devil. God allows it for one of two reasons.
First, there is the proud - who needs humbling. God will allow him to step out of his spiritual glory and into the world to humble him. It happened to the prodigal son. The one who knows how to abound will use his abundance for the glory of God. The proud will use it for self. God will let him to show him how unprosperous such a place can be. It will humble him.
Second, there is the tested. God will allow the Christian an abundance to teach and test him on the subject of "using all things to the glory of God." Some pass and some fail this test. It is not a test to debase, humble, or belittle. It is a test to teach. Blessed is the man who is taught the wise counsel of God, for in it, he gains true wisdom and godliness.
May we never allow our abundance to lead us to a dry and empty spirituality. May our hearts find their fulfillment in the presence and love of Christ rather than the pleasures of sinful lust and worldly entertainment. May we never waste the blessings and abundance of God's mercy on selfish things and desires, lest our spirits shrivel and we forget God altogether. It is not the gift of God that matters as it is the presence of God. We must learn how to abound.
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this is a great post!So true
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