This Little Piggy went to the Market. Ever felt like your little piggy just doesn't have the same oink it once had? What is God's Provisions during lean times? Can I make it?


Lay offs! Cost of living! Higher Medical Bills! Savings depleting! Simply not enough to meet the needs! People losing their retirements! Perhaps you fit in one of those catogories. So now what?

Scriptural Thought: Philippians 4:12-20 (New Living Translation)

"I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. Even so, you have done well to share with me in my present difficulty.

As you know, you Philippians were the only ones who gave me financial help when I first brought you the Good News and then traveled on from Macedonia. No other church did this. Even when I was in Thessalonica you sent help more than once. I don’t say this because I want a gift from you. Rather, I want you to receive a reward for your kindness.

At the moment I have all I need—and more! I am generously supplied with the gifts you sent me with Epaphroditus. They are a sweet-smelling sacrifice that is acceptable and pleasing to God. And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus. Now all glory to God our Father forever and ever! Amen."

Paul's statement, " I have learned the secret of living in every situation, " says it all. It is the contentment that we find in the midst of our circumstances that allow us to deal with whatever it is. It is not to wallow in the mud of despair. It is doing all things through Christ. If you see yourself alone, then you will try to deal with it yourself. But when you see that it is through Christ that you are able to deal with those problems, your perspective changes.

Notice that one of the ways God has chosen to meet the needs of those in dire straights is through the Body of Christ. This means that we must always be on alert to meet the needs of others. We actually become a part of the solution of todays woes.

Why not begin to rejoice and thank your Heavenly Father for all that you have. Be thankful that even in the midst of our economical down turn we can still minister to others in needs and then Paul's greatest statement will come alive to you, "They are a sweet-smelling sacrifice that is acceptable and pleasing to God. And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus."