When interpreting and applying Scripture, it is important to distinguish between promises, principles, proverbs, and prophecies. The common error is to count most all the Biblical statements regarding what God says He will do, provide, or how He will respond as promises. For instance, Psalm 37:25 says, “I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging for bread.” By considering this statement as a promise one may draw the conclusion that God has promised that the righteous will never go hungry or be left to beg for provision of any kind. Yet when we survey the historical and present experience of many devoted followers of Christ, we quickly realize that many of them have indeed been hungry. Paul expressed in Phil. 4:12 that he has experienced need and hunger. In this case Paul does not mention God’s provision, rather he mentions that he responded by learning the principle of contentment. Most glaring for us is that on th
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