A. A learned discipline – not a natural disposition or miraculous gift (4:11; Hebrews 13:5-6)
B. Content when humbled, hungry, in need (4:12)
1. Paul’s sufferings (2 Corinthians 11:23-28)
2. “Our light affliction” (2 Corinthians 4:17)
C. Content when prosperous and well fed (4:12)
D. Strength in Christ (4:13; Acts 9:22; 2 Timothy 2:1; Colossians 2:10 “complete in Him”)
II. The dangers in the extremes (Proverbs 30:7-9)
A. With poverty comes the potential temptation to steal (Exodus 20:15)
B. With wealth comes the potential temptation to always strive for more and to exalt self (Eccl. 5:10; Revelation 3:17-18; 1 Timothy 6:6-11)
III. God’s gracious providence
A. Basic physical needs (Matthew 6:11, 25-34)
B. Spiritual needs (Matthew 6:12-13; Ephesians 1:3; 2 Peter 1:2-4)
C. Trust in Him! (Matthew 6:19-21; Psalm 23)
A. The need for authenticity (Philippians 2:14-16)
B. The danger of dishonesty (Eph. 4:25; Matthew 5:33-37)
II. “Give me neither poverty nor riches—feed me with the food allotted to me”
A. Be content with God’s blessings (Philippians 4:11-13)
B. Do not worry about the things of this life (Mt. 6:25-34)
C. Focus on what really matters (Colossians 3:1-5)
III. The problem with prosperity
A. Forgetting and denying the source of all blessings (James 1:17; Job 31:24-25, 28; Hosea 13:6)
B. Self-reliance / self-sufficiency (Deuteronomy 8:11-17; 31:20; Nehemiah 9:24-26; Hosea 13:6)
C. Apathy and indifference toward the work of the church (Revelation 3:15-19)
D. You can never have enough! (Eccl. 5:10; Luke 12:15-21)
IV. The problem with poverty
A. Covetousness (1 Timothy 6:9-10)
B. The temptation to steal, betraying love (Romans 13:9; Ephesians 4:28)
C. Cursing God for not perceived neglect (Isaiah 8:21)
But when they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized. (Acts 8:12)
