Sufficiency in Christ

2000 William R. Cunningham
December 17, 2000

I was driving to work one morning and it was dark outside. I passed a house that is in a block that has many abandoned, dilapidated, and old houses. However, there was one house that had an elaborate layout of Christmas lights that were still on. From what I could see, the front of the house looked very nice. I began to smile and praise God for what I saw. What that house brought to my mind was that people can have enjoyment if life regardless of their status (economical, social, etc.). Enjoyment transcends the amount of money that you have or the possessions that you own. I am reminded of the sufficiency of Christ for life itself instead of a dependence on the things that this world has to offer.

We all want nice things and we will probably always want more money in the bank so that we can buy more stuff and do more things. However, will this type of prosperity really bring the happiness that we think it will? Have you considered Christ in your quest for happiness and prosperity?

In a previous lesson we talked about the importance of seeking the Kingdom of God and His righteousness as a top priority. The things pertaining to the Kingdom of God are not the same as those of the world. For example, a person may be considered blessed if he or she has a sufficient amount of income, money in the bank, investments, a large home, or a particular type of automobile. It is also easy to reckon that our sufficiency is found in the resources that we have at our disposal. However, the Bible teaches us something different and transcending regarding blessings and sufficiency. The Bible repeatedly tells us to trust God and to have faith in Him. Our sufficiency is not found in things but in Christ.

There are Christian movements that promote prosperity according to a world system. Prosperity itself is not a bad thing, however it is not a panacea nor is it to be the foundation of our confidence and sufficiency. Prosperity is preached as if it is God's job to make us rich or His purpose to lavish us with all kinds of gifts so that we can be counted as blessed. The fact of the matter is that true blessings and true sufficiency are not found in the things that are available to us in the world or on this earth. Our sufficiency is found in Christ and our trust in Him.

We have become so indoctrinated with a false perspective of blessings and sufficiency that we have become dependant on the earth and the world. We have come to reckon that the accumulation of things is an indication of a person remaining in the will of God or the mark of someone that is blessed of God. You have an insatiable appetite for things. You want bigger and better cars, bigger and better bank accounts and investments. You want to have all kinds of expensive clothing. You want to have great homes that exude the "blessings of God." You have forsaken God for the things of the world. You are never satisfied and never content and thankful for what you do have. You don't know how to enjoy what you have because you are always "believing God" for more stuff.

Those people that owned the home that I described earlier might not be considered blessed or prosperous because of where they lived. Some may even accuse them of having some secret sin because true children of God would have better (if indeed they are Christians). However, the fact of the matter is that those people might be more blessed than the richest person on this earth relative to a heavenly perspective (See the Beatitudes for example-Matthew 5:1-12). We judge a person's standing with God by things that they have or do not have. We have been so indoctrinated with the world system in the name of Jesus that we have learned to yearn for riches and depend on wealth. God isn't an object of adoration or our caring and loving father anymore. He is our provider of stuff so that we can be blessed of God, our personal genie.

Certain religious groups teach that all true believers should be physically well as a mark of God's blessing. How then do you explain the many sick and dying Christians in the world? How do you explain Paul's thorn in the flesh, which we will discuss later? Our sufficiency is in Christ not things as I hope you will soon see.

In this lesson we are going to look at Paul's perspective of sufficiency and contentment as it applies to the various situations that we experience in life. I pray that you would reconsider your ideal about blessing and prosperity after examining Paul's perspective. I also encourage you to evaluate other examples of true blessings that were found not in the material things of this earth but in the transcendental things of God.

It is commonly believed that Paul was imprisoned at Rome when he wrote this letter. It is also believed that he was under house arrest and therefore could freely minister to those who visited him and by his letters. Paul suffered great persecutions for the sake of the gospel of Jesus Christ. One thing that Paul learned, as he states here, is to be content in any situation.

The Epistle to the Philippians is a masterful example of sensitive literature. The primary purpose of the letter appears to be to thank the Philippians for their gift and concern for him. He also takes the opportunity to encourage them with the joy of Christ. Paul thanks the Philippians for their gift and at the same time expresses the fact that he is dependent on God and not anyone's gift.

In verse ten Paul expresses the fact that the Philippians had always cared for him but had no opportunity to show it. Their gift to him was a demonstration and an opportunity to show the care that they had for Paul.

Giving is one way to show your care and concern for someone. We give gifts to say, "I care" or "I love you" or whatever the message might be. We give to demonstrate our support for someone or something. You perhaps give to your church because you believe in the ministry and want to take part in accomplishing the vision of the pastor as he or she strives to carry out God's will. You may give to someone just to show your appreciation. One thing you should always remember about giving, which Paul instructs us in, is that it should come from the heart. Consider the following scripture.

2 Corinthians 9:7 through 2 Corinthians 9:8 (NKJV) So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.

If you are giving because you feel as though you are supposed to give or because you have been compelled to give then your giving is meaningless to you. When you give, be sure that you want to. Ask yourself, "Why should I give?"

In verse eleven Paul states that he has learned to be content in any situation. The word content literally means self-sufficient. In Stoic philosophy this Greek word described a person who dispassionately accepted whatever circumstances brought (detached from circumstances). They believed that contentment was a high virtue in which one had sufficient resources available to meet any situation. For the Greeks, this contentment came from personal sufficiency. But for Paul true sufficiency is found in the strength of Christ.

Paul found that the secret to contentment is the joy of Christ and knowing that in whatever state he was in that God would provide what he needed and the strength that he needed. Paul could be at peace in any situation because of his faith and dependence he had in God.

This is a hard saying from a practical and material perspective. It is hard for us to imagine that being hungry and poor could be a time of joy and contentment. It is hard for us to imagine that prosperity isn't the answer or the goal. I think that the principle that Paul gives us here in addition to the principle that we learn from the book of Ecclesiastes (I highly recommend that you read Ecclesiastes) will go far in altering our perspective of life. We'll realize that things aren't as meaningful as we thought though at the same time we want nice things.

Let's look at a scripture that highlights a principle that I learned a long time ago, namely balance.

Proverbs 30:7 through Proverbs 30:9 (NKJV) Two things I request of You (Deprive me not before I die): Remove falsehood and lies far from me; Give me neither poverty nor riches-Feed me with the food allotted to me; Lest I be full and deny You,And say, "Who is the LORD?" Or lest I be poor and steal, And profane the name of my God.

Can we truly pray this to God? Wouldn't you rather pray that God would give you the desires of your heart, which really means anything that you want? Would you pray that God would give you just what you need? Well consider that the model prayer that Jesus taught His disciples did just that. Remember the phrase "Give us this day our daily bread?" We would rather pray, "Give us this day our portion of abundance and prosperity."

Consider the following verse.

Let's look at verses 12 and 13 a little closely. Paul says he knows how to be abased, to abound, to be hungry and full, and to abound and suffer need. What does he mean here. He means that in any of these situation that he knows how to be content. He can survive and continue on with joy in his life even if he was hungry and when he is full. The situation that he is in does not dictate the state of mind that he will have. He has learned to be content in any situation and how to depend on God in all situations.

In verse 13, Paul says that he can do all things through Christ and that Christ gives him strength. What does he mean by all things. The context of this statement is in the situations that he might be in at any time. So regardless of the situation that he is in, he can do all things through Christ. Christ is where he gets his strength. Christ is sufficient for him

Consider another scripture as an illustration of the above point.

This is the classic "thorn in the flesh" scripture. The thorn in the flesh most likely refers to a physical ailment. It seems to point to an ailment involving the eyes and that the ailment was quite hideous. In any case, God didn't miraculously remove this ailment from Paul. Instead, God allowed Satan to buffet (torment) Paul with the ailment. God told Paul that His grace was sufficient for him. Perhaps the infirmity had a purpose. Well, it did according to Paul. This ailment existed so that he would not get prideful. Many prosperity teachings would have insisted that God has to remove an ailment like that. However, in this case, the ailment seemed to have a purpose according to Paul.

What is important to learn here is that Paul's sufficiency was not even found in deliverance from a messenger of Satan (an ailment). His sufficiency was found in Christ despite his physical condition.

Let's look at another scripture that highlights a major point of this lesson.

Proverbs 23:4 through Proverbs 23:5 (NKJV) Do not overwork to be rich; Because of your own understanding, cease! Will you set your eyes on that which is not? For riches certainly make themselves wings; They fly away like an eagle toward heaven.

Why would you seek to be rich? If your treasures are on the earth then riches are indeed what you will strive for. However, the Bible teaches us not to seek riches. This doesn't mean that riches won't come since God may purpose certain people to be rich. However, our goal should not be riches but a closer relationship with God.

I would like to take a moment to elaborate on the statement, "I can do all things through Christ." That is a very powerful statement because it identifies the source of your ability to do anything. If you depend on your money then in your mind you can only do something if you have enough money. If your trust is in wealth, then you need wealth to accomplish something. However, if your faith is in Christ then you know that you will be able to do whatever God has purposed you to do regardless of your situation. The sufficiency of Christ is enough and therefore transcends any situation or state that you might be in at any moment.

So I encourage you this day, to realize that your sufficiency is in Christ. Pray to God and ask him for the things that you want and need. Don't lean on your own understanding or resources. Learn to trust God and learn to listen to Him direct you in the things that you should do. Your sufficiency is in Christ and not things. You can indeed do all things through Christ who strengthens you regardless of your economical situation, physical situation or social standing. Be encouraged and be joyful because Christ is indeed sufficient for you. Amen.