A) We continue with additional elements that Paul commends himself to God for and with. To commend, in this case, means to “stand with or stand near” In the list itself, there are several notations of a negative being challenged by a positive. What these really are, are perspectives. One is from the human perspective the other is from the Divine perspective. Guess which one God wants us to use.

B) One of the greatest lines in the New Testament: having nothing yet possessing everything: this is certainly the answer for people that struggle with finances, covetousness, keeping up with the Joneses, and every other element that speaks of finding satisfaction. The key is to understand that we possess nothing. The truth is that we actually do possess nothing. Not even our next breath is guaranteed. It is held in the hand of God. Everything beyond our next breath is also held in the hand of God!