I am not saying this because I am in need, for 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, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

Have you ever wondered how you were going to make ends meet? You know what it’s like to live in need.

How does it feel to know you’re down to you’re last dime? Have you ever wondered where your next meal would come from? If you are a Christian, how do you live in such times?

Do we live in anxiety and worry? Or do we live in contentment and peace.

 Paul faced these situations.  His example teaches us volumes about how to live – regardless of our economic welfare, or any other thing.

 Paul was waiting for relief.  He says “at last” – an indication of the length of time he has waited for financial relief.

 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.

Paul has experienced both. Need hasn’t depressed him and plenty hasn’t spoiled him.

I can do everything through him who gives me strength. (verse 13)

The righteous eat to their hearts' content, but the stomach of the wicked goes hungry. Proverbs 13:25 Proverbs 19:23 -- The fear of the LORD leads to life: Then one rests content, untouched by trouble.

But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.

I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread.

Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."

Paul says he can do “all things” through Him who strengthens. Are there limits to this application? What is the source of all strength? Do we have other promises of God’s provision?

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. Matthew 21:21-22 Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do not doubt…If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer."

"I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

Romans 8: What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?

But God made the earth by his power; he founded the world by his wisdom and stretched out the heavens by his understanding. When he thunders, the waters in the heavens roar; he makes clouds rise from the ends of the earth. He sends lightning with the rain and brings out the wind from his storehouses… He who is the Portion of Jacob is not like these, for he is the Maker of all things, including Israel, the tribe of his inheritance -- the LORD Almighty is his name.

Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it. Blessing beyond containment!

Verse 19: …And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. We have all we need in the church to do and to be what God wants of us. We have abundance for generosity. We have blessing for sharing. We have strength for accomplishing. We have resources for providing.

If we couple these things with contentment, then we have everything! The secret is to let go. The secret is to trust. Have you learned the secret?