Scripture: Philippians 4:13 – “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” (NRSVue)
We all dream about winning the lottery, especially older people who worry about not having enough to comfortably retire. And for most people, a sudden windfall of cash is a very good thing and makes life easier and happier. However, we have all heard stories about outliers whose money makes them miserable because of isolation and boredom or of those who lost all their money by acting irresponsibly.
We also know the stories of athletes who get paid millions of dollars but quickly go bankrupt after they retire. The sudden influx of cash makes most athletes happy and successful, but it can bring isolation and irresponsibility to others. It is true that many people struggle with sudden success.
More understandably, many people struggle with sudden failures. People used to wealth have little frame of reference about how to do without. Some people don’t know how to be rich and others don’t know how to be poor. They lack the perspective that comes with experience and the wisdom that comes from faith. But there is a secret that could have helped them.
The Apostle Paul wrote his Letter to Philippians at a time of imprisonment. Unlike his more contentious letters to the Corinthians or Galatians, Paul is more reflective and appreciative of the care and generosity he receives from the Philippian church. They send along a gift to Paul, for which Paul gives thanks. But he also lets them know that success or failure are all secondary. “I have learned to be content with whatever I have. I know what it is to have little, and I know what it is to have plenty. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being well-fed and of going hungry, of having plenty and of being in need.”
This is a secret that could be the premise for a bookshelf’s worth of self-help books or years of worldwide tours as a motivational speaker. But his answer is just six simple words in Greek, translated as “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”
You, too, can do all things through God. God can help you to manage your success, not becoming arrogant, ostentatious, or irresponsible. God can help you manage your hardship, granting wisdom and endurance. Because we all struggle sometimes. We all have to do with less at one point or another. But so long as we feel the love of God lifting us up, we can do anything.
Prayer: Heavenly Lord, with you all things are possible. Amen.
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