Hazards to Spiritual Growth - Part 3

We left off yesterday noting that humans are prone to wander from God when life is hard and when life is easy. Michael Emlet continues this discussion with some thoughts on contentment:

Perhaps this is why the writer of Proverbs prays, "Give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is needful for 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" (Proverbs 30:8-9).

Here's another way of saying this: God-centered contentment is elusive in want or in plenty. Neither situation is the "ideal" for spiritual growth in a fallen world. Paul highlights this in Philippians 4:11-13 (NIV). He learned "the secret of being content in any in plenty or in want." He looked to the strength of Christ in all situations.

Tomorrow we'll finish this series on spiritual growth.