In the midst of a time and a place of suffering that few of us can understand, the Apostle Paul could tell the church at Philippi, �?B>I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 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�?(Ph 4:10-13; NIV). �?I>I have learned the secret of being content�?�?Teach us this secret, Lord Jesus.

Just a few years earlier Paul had written, �?B>Even if I should choose to boast, I would not be a fool, because I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain, so no one will think more of me than is warranted by what I do or say. To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong�?(2Co 12:6-10; NIV).

God reveals a pattern in these verses from Second Corinthians that He longs for us to prayerfully consider, understand, and adopt. Paul was given an “abundant�?supply of knowledge of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, but through suffering, he learned to surrender to the sufficiency of God’s good grace, and so he gained a satisfaction with his circumstances that brought him to a sacrifice of thankful praise for the Lord. Supply�?B>Suffering�?B>Surrender�?B>Sufficiency�?B>Satisfaction�?B>Sacrifice. Regarding this sacrifice, the Writer of Hebrews exhorts us; �?B>Through Him...let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name�?(He 13:15; NASV). Paul’s boasting all the more gladly about his weaknesses is this fruit of lips that give thanks to His name. Are we willing to praise God with thanksgiving for what we lack, as well as for what we have?

In Mark 12 we read: 41 Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. 42 But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny. 43 Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. 44 They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything--all she had to live on" (NIV). Do you find yourself in poverty amidst the wealthiest people in the history of the world? Are you finding it more than difficult to thank God for your circumstances? Are you broke and broken? Are you alone? Are you in pain? Are you separated from those whom you love, and who love you? Is life becoming more than you can bear? Now is the time to prayerfully give all that you do have to the Lord. Whether it is a few coins, or a few minutes, or a few tears...if it is all that you have, Jesus knows that out of your poverty you are giving all that you have to live on and He regards it as more than what is given by those who give from out of their wealth of resources, freedom, friends and family.

Paul wrote to the Church at Corinth, And now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints. And they did not do as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with God's will (2Co 8:1-5; NIV). ...They gave themselves first to the Lord...Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity...they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability.

You may not have much money, if any—but do you have time to pray for others? Are you able to visit, call, or write to those who are confined by their circumstances? Do you have a word of comfort for those who are suffering? Can you share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with the person next to you who is lost in their confusion and pain? When we strive to live a life of righteousness, when we present a sacrifice of thankful praise to God, and as we share and give what we have to others—then we are rightly offering thanksgiving to the Lord for His many blessings. Paul tells us that as we serve God by serving others we multiply our thanks through those whom we touch in Christ’s name: This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God's people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! (2Co 9: 12-15; NIV). Amen.