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. I can do all this through him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:12-13
“For he who holds possessions, and gold, and silver, and houses, as the gifts of God; and ministers from them to the God who gives them for the salvation of men; and knows that he possesses them more for the sake of the brethren than his own; and is superior to the possession of them, not the slave of the things he possesses; and does not carry them about in his soul, nor bind and circumscribe his life within them, but is ever laboring at some good and divine work, even should he be necessarily some time or other deprived of them, is able with cheerful mind to bear their removal equally with their abundance. This is he who is blessed by the Lord.”
Clement of Alexandria (150-215) in Who is the Rich Man that shall be Saved? XVI.
Those who view possessions as gifts of God use them for the sake of others more than themselves. They cheerfully labor at “some good and divine work” relying on God so they can handle either the removal or an abundance of resources.
Is that you? Are you using what you have more for others than for yourself trusting in God to sustain you?
I am now safely home, but something happened when I was in Alexandria, Egypt. In seeking to serve brothers and sisters with a “cheerful mind” and spend time with them I did not expect how God’s love would flow through them to me.
Sure, I can’t wait to return there, but I must first reflect on my experience.
When we use the gifts of God in service to others, we can minister in beautiful ways. But we also receive unimaginable love and kindness from unexpected sources. We discover that we are blessed by the Lord for more than anything we gave!
As tomorrow is Christmas day in the West (the East observes it on 7 January 2019), ask yourself if you are prepared to welcome Jesus into every aspect of your life, especially related to your living, giving, serving, and loving.
If you desire to be generous after Advent, use all you have for others more than for yourself. Be not a slave to possessions, but make them your slave. It takes time and practice with humble obedience to learn this.
You can do it because Christ is with you. He is with all of us, always.