Don't weary yourself trying to get rich. Why waste your time? For riches can disappear as though they had the wings of a bird!
—Proverbs 23:4-5 (NLT)

These verses really hit me this morning. I thought about how sometimes Ed and I have worked so hard because we are trying to get things. These verses remind me that I shouldn’t strive to gain wealth. Instead, I should concentrate on listening to the Holy Spirit and follow what he tells me to do. As I do what the Holy Spirit leads me to do, I will prosper. As Joshua 1:8 says, “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success” (NKJV).

God is simply reminding me this morning that I do not need to strive to do things in my own strength. If I try to do things in the flesh, I will burn myself out and have limited success. Paul reminds us in Philippians 4:11-13 in the Amplified translation,

Not that I am implying that I was in any personal want, for I have learned how to be content (satisfied to the point where I am not disturbed or disquieted) in whatever state I am.

I know how to be abased and live humbly in straitened circumstances, and I know also how to enjoy plenty and live in abundance. I have learned in any and all circumstances the secret of facing every situation, whether well-fed or going hungry, having a sufficiency and enough to spare or going without and being in want.

I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency].

These verses in The Message translation make it a little clearer to me. It says,

Actually, I don’t have a sense of needing anything personally. I’ve learned to be quite content whatever my circumstances. I’m just as happy with little as with much, with much as with little. I’ve found the recipe for being happy whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty. Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am.

Are you content where the Lord has you or you grumbling in the wilderness like the Israelites? I challenge you to look to the Lord and trust Him. He knows what you need better than you do. Lean on Him and in everything give thanks always!

Copyright © by Stephanie Gulland