how to abound

"I know how to abound."  - Phi_4:12

Spurgeon

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. It is a dangerous thing to be prosperous. The

crucible of adversity is a less severe trial to the Christian than the refining pot of prosperity. Oh, what leanness of soul

and neglect of spiritual things have been brought on through the very mercies and bounties of God!

Yet this is not a matter of necessity, for the apostle tells us that he knew how to abound. When he had much

he knew how to use it. Abundant grace enabled him to bear abundant prosperity. When he had a full sail he

was loaded with much ballast, and so floated safely. It needs more than human skill to carry the brimming cup of

mortal joy with a steady hand, yet Paul had learned that skill, for he declares, "In all things I am

instructed both to be full and to be hungry." It is a divine lesson to know how to be full, for the Israelites

were full once, but while the flesh was yet in their mouth, the wrath of God came upon them. Many have asked

for mercies that they might satisfy their own hearts’ lust. Fullness of bread has often made fullness of blood, and that has brought on wantonness of

spirit. When we have much of God’s providential mercies, it often happens that we have but little of God’s grace, and little gratitude for the

bounties we have received. We are full and we forget God: satisfied with earth, we are content to do without heaven. Rest assured it is harder to know how to be full than it is to know how to be hungry-so desperate is the tendency of

human nature to pride and forgetfulness of God. Take care that you ask in your prayers that God would teach you "how to be full."


Daily Smile:
Q. How do you get a mouse to smile?

A. Say "CHEESE!!!!!…