A Little

Was it the intention that there should only be a little? Yes—when it comes to earthly things! Being satisfied with little of earthly things is a great virtue; it is even proof that one’s kingdom is not of this world. The wise apostle Paul said that godliness with contentment is gain; even more than that, it is great gain. You can quite easily arrive at that conclusion yourself if you possess even a little bit of God’s wisdom. The less I use for myself, the more I have to share with others, and God richly rewards that. As a result, I have less to care for—I have fewer things to look after. Consequently, I have time which can be used for far better things, which, in turn, is gain for me for time and eternity and which also contributes to the profit and salvation of others.

Paul also wrote: “I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content . . . .” Phil. 4:11. However, there is also another “little.”

Alas! Alas! what a “little” that is: little love, little zeal, little humility, little meekness, little patience, little longsuffering and bearing with one another, little mercy, little fellowship and brotherhood, little wisdom, little good-will, little generosity, little obedience, little submission, little prayer, little of the Word of God, little self-denial, little work on the salvation of our soul, and barely even that!

Little spirit and power—and barely even that!

Everywhere there is a need for an especially powerful awakening to our heavenly calling! The Scriptures should be read much more diligently and carefully! They teach us the exact opposite of partaking a little of all the glorious virtues of Christ!

The strongest words in the language are used when it concerns how much God will give us of all the fullness of His goodness during our sojourn here on earth: richly, riches and abundance, exceeding riches, exceedingly abounding in joy, far beyond what we can comprehend with our understanding, abounding still more in knowledge and all discernment! “Be strong . . . in the power of His might” Eph. 6:10. “[Cornelius] gave alms generously . . . .” “Tabitha . . . was abounding with deeds of kindness.” Peter must have thought that he had gone quite far when he asked Jesus if it was sufficient to forgive his brother seven times. The reply is especially noteworthy: not seven times, but seventy times seven, which equals four hundred and ninety, especially if it meant that he had to forgive that many times per person each day! In any case, the implication of it is quite clear: forgive without end; forgive any unlimited number of times.

There is something that is called “being stingy,” which can be very much part and parcel of many people’s lives, even all their life long. It is almost as if they were possessed by this innate evil that has usually been inherited from their forefathers. They seemingly do not understand it, even though it is so simple and straightforward. However, the Scriptures speak very plainly! Moreover, the problem is that people do not believe what they read. This is the root of all misery.

“Mary, who labored much for us.” Rom. 16:6. “Full of goodness . . . .” Rom. 15:14. “Always abounding in the work of the Lord . . . .” 1 Cor. 15:58. “Being fruitful in every good work . . . .” Col. 1:10. “Strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy.” Col. 1:9-11.

“Abounded in the riches of their love.” 2 Cor. 8:2. “Finally, brethren, whatever . . . whatever . . . whatever . . . whatever . . . whatever . . . whatever . . . meditate on these things . . . and the God of peace will be with you.” Phil. 4:8-9. Then you will be sure to experience this in your innermost being day and night!

“That you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” Eph. 3:19. We are called to this infinitude. That is why nothing else has any meaning at all except this one thing: to love God with all your mind and all your strength!

It is very easy to understand that the Scriptures exhort each one—also converted people—to repent, because almost everyone wants to have as much as possible of earthly things and only a little of spiritual things, instead of the exact opposite.