How to Be Abased and Abound

I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound:

every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.

Philippians 4:12

How to be abased

Understand that your abasement is in God’s hand...

For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another.

Psalm 75:6,7

...therefore exalt his name...

And said, Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.

Job 1:21

...and understand that it is a blessing

And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh.

Luke 6:20,21

Be a blessing to others

And he saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites. And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all: For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had.

Luke 21:2-4

Remember God’s wonderful works

Hath God forgotten to be gracious? hath he in anger shut up his tender mercies? Selah. And I said, This is my infirmity: but I will remember the years of the right hand of the most High. I will remember the works of the LORD: surely I will re-member thy wonders of old.

Psalm 77:9-11

Be patient

Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.

James 5:11

Hope

Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.

Psalm 42:11

Entreat, thank, and praise God

But I am poor and sorrowful: let thy salvation, O God, set me up on high. I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving.

Psalm 69:29,30

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanks-giving let your requests be made known unto God.

Philippians 4:6

How to abound

Understand that your abounding is in God’s hand...

Both riches and honour come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all.

I Chronicles 29:12

...therefore thank him and exalt his name

Now therefore, our God, we thank thee, and praise thy glorious name.

I Chronicles 29:13

Remember where you came from

Now therefore thus shalt thou say unto my servant David, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, I took thee from the sheepcote, even from following the sheep, that thou shouldest be ruler over my people Israel:

I Chronicles 17:7

Recognize your unworthiness

Then went king David in, and sat before the LORD, and he said, Who am I, O Lord GOD? and what is my house, that thou hast brought me hitherto?

II Samuel 7:18

Understand that God’s purposes extend far beyond yourself

For thy word’s sake, and according to thine own heart, hast thou done all these great things, to make thy servant know them.

II Samuel 7:21

Be humble, trust God, enjoy God’s bounty, do good, be generous, prepare for the future

Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

I Timothy 6:17-19

And in the seven plenteous years the earth brought forth by handfuls. And he gathered up all the food of the seven years, which were in the land of Egypt, and laid up the food in the cities: the food of the field, which was round about every city, laid he up in the same. And Joseph gathered corn as the sand of the sea, very much, until he left numbering; for it was without number.

Genesis 41:47-49

Be gracious

But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive. Now therefore fear ye not: I will nourish you, and your little ones. And he comforted them, and spake kindly unto them.

Genesis 50:20,21

Guard your heart

Trust not in oppression, and become not vain in robbery: if riches increase, set not your heart upon them.

Psalm 62:10

Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

Colossians 3:2

Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven.

Proverbs 23:5

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Be wise and observant: understand God’s lovingkindness

He blesseth them also, so that they are multiplied greatly; and suffereth not their cattle to decrease. Again, they are minished and brought low through oppression, affliction, and sorrow.

Psalm 107:38,39

Whoso is wise, and will observe these things, even they shall understand the lovingkindness of the LORD.

Psalm 107:43

Be content

...for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

Philippians 4:11