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REFLECTION
“Abundance and lack – Growing up into Christ” is the theme for our reflection. Abundance means a huge quantity of something or a plentiful or overflowing supply. Lack, on the other hand, is the state of being without or not having enough of something. The theme invites us to consider the fact that we may experience abundance and lack of material wealth even as we grow in Christ. We shall learn that whether we experience abundance or lack, we must remain resolute in our faith and walk with Christ always, for in Him we find true strength, satisfaction or contentment and peace.

Beloved in the Lord, oftentimes we feel content and fulfilled when we live in a state of abundance. We usually exclaim, God is good, all the time! What about situations where we faithfully serve God, yet we experience hardship or poverty? Is God still good, all the time? Paul wrote the letter to the Philippians while he was in prison, like in Rome. He teaches us that whether we experience abundance or lack, God remains faithful to us through our Lord Jesus Christ. It is for this reason, when he was expressing his appreciation for the support given to him by the Church of Philippi, Paul wrote, “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength. (Philippians 4:12-13) In other words, Paul is reassuring us that whether we are in a season of abundance or lack, God remains faithful to us and can grant us satisfaction, victory or peace in our various endeavours. The faithfulness of God to us as we grow in Christ must be the source of our contentment. Out sense of contentment is that God is able to turn our lack into abundance therefore we believe in Jesus’ saying that “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:26)

It is important to note that a person may have material wealth in abundance yet he or she may lack the spiritual wealth, peace and joy that comes from growing up into Christ. Similarly, a person may lack material wealth and also lack spiritual spiritual wealth, contentment, peace and joy if he or she refuses to grow up into Christ. Whether we are in a state of abundance or lack, rich or poor, the ultimate goal of every believer is to derive our source of strength, contentment, satisfaction, peace, and joy from God even as we grow into Christ. The Psalmist, having walked with God, testified, “Praise the LORD, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. 2 Praise the LORD, my soul, and forget not all his benefits— 3 who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, 4 who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, 5 who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.” (Psalms 103:1-5). Again, whether we are in a state of abundance or lack, we receive strength from Jesus when He said, “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.” (Luke 4:18-19) During Jesus’ earthly ministry, he ministered to both those who lived in abundance and scarcity.  Nicodemus and Zacchaeus were not materially poor, but they needed Jesus for spiritual enlightenment and regeneration. They needed spiritual strength, a right relationship with God and peace. Similarly, others who could also be described as poor also received strength, hope, peace and joy from Jesus. Some examples are the woman with the issue of blood and one of the robbers who died on the cross with Jesus. All these people, irrespective of their economic situations and class, received strength from Jesus Christ when they encountered Him. Can you imagine the strength, contentment, peace and joy we shall receive from Him when we walk with Him all the days of our lives through faith and obedience? We are greatly encouraged by Paul’s testimony to the Philippians when he wrote, “I can do all this through him who gives me strength. (Philippians 4:13). Dear child of God, do not worry or despair. Irrespective of your current precarious situation or challenges, I want you to declare with faith and confidence that “I can go do all this or go through all this through Him who gives me strength!”

In summary, we have discovered that whether we experience abundance or lack, we must remain resolute in our faith and walk with Christ, for in Him we receive strength and find true satisfaction, contentment and peace.

PRAYER

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, ²¹ to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” (Ephesians 3:20-21)