So you think you want to win the lottery?  Not me, so I don't 
play.  Well, think again.  Here is what the prince says.

February 10
Morning
"I know how to abound."
- Philippians 4:12
There are many who know "how to be abased" who have not learned "how to
abound." When they are set upon the top of a pinnacle their heads grow
dizzy, and they are ready to fall. The Christian far oftener disgraces
his profession in prosperity than in adversity. It is a dangerous thing
to be prosperous. The crucible of adversity is a less severe trial to
the Christian than the refining pot of prosperity. Oh, what leanness of
soul and neglect of spiritual things have been brought on through the
very mercies and bounties of God! Yet this is not a matter of necessity,
for the apostle tells us that he knew how to abound. When he had much he
knew how to use it. Abundant grace enabled him to bear abundant
prosperity. When he had a full sail he was loaded with much ballast, and
so floated safely. It needs more than human skill to carry the brimming
cup of mortal joy with a steady hand, yet Paul had learned that skill,
for he declares, "In all things I am instructed both to be full and to
be hungry." It is a divine lesson to know how to be full, for the
Israelites were full once, but while the flesh was yet in their mouth,
the wrath of God came upon them. Many have asked for mercies that they
might satisfy their own hearts' lust.
Fulness of bread has often made fulness of blood, and that has brought
on wantonness of spirit. When we have much of God's providential
mercies, it often happens that we have but little of God's grace, and
little gratitude for the bounties we have received. We are full and we
forget God: satisfied with earth, we are content to do without heaven.
Rest assured it is harder to know how to be full than it is to know how
to be hungry-so desperate is the tendency of human nature to pride and
forgetfulness of God. Take care that you ask in your prayers that God
would teach you "how to be full."
"Let not the gifts thy love bestows
Estrange our hearts from thee."
_


John