The Secret of Contentment.

"I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.  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." (Philippians 4: 11 - 12).

Saturday 7th November 2020, 31st Week in Ordinary Time.

How do you deal with the ups and downs of life? Health and sickness, money and broke, job and unemployed, etc. This is the subject  of the first Reading from Philippians 4: 10 - 19. Paul says that he has mastered how to deal with these circumstances and remain in contentment. If we want to be stable and happy in this world where no condition is permanent, we need to master the lesson of Paul.

In the Gospel of today from Luke 16: 9 - 15, Jesus our Teacher talks about mammon, dishonest money. For many people, when they are under severe pressure about money, health, job or bills, they are ready to embrace whatever solution could get them quickly out of their problem. But Jesus said firmly: "You cannot serve God and mammon.” (Luke 16: 13). To do so is to pretend that you can work and get your pay in two different companies at the same time.

What therefore is the powerful lesson of Paul for us in our key Scripture? Know and trust that God has a loving design for our life that is called Divine Providence. Embedded in this gracious and mysterious plan of God are: winter and summer, hot and cold, good times and bad times. Some people want to alter this divine order. When they fail, they become depressed.

Paul concludes this great lesson by saying:
"In every circumstance and in all things I have learned the secret of being well fed and of going hungry, of living in abundance and of being in need. I have the strength for everything through him [Christ] who empowers me. (Philippians 4: 12  - 13).

Trust in Divine Providence. It never fails.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com