Trusting God with all your needs
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. Philippians 4:18-20
From the text, the Apostle Paul expressed his gratefulness to the church at Philippi for their generosity. Out of their poverty, they were willing to support the work Paul was doing preaching the gospel. To this, Paul was commending them that their act of sacrifice was “acceptable and pleasing to God.” Then he told them the promise that he kept on holding to that the God who takes care of his needs is also the God that will supply all their needs according to His riches. The God to whom “all things were created” (Colossians 1:16), and “in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Colossians 2:3) gave a promise that He will supply all our needs. What a powerful promise to those who have a relationship with Him! But this promise has been misinterpreted as God giving a blank check that anyone could just write whatever they desire to have and God will grant it. His promise is “to meet all your needs and not you greed” as someone had said. Christians during the time Paul wrote this letter were living in poverty. This is in contrast to the lifestyle of many here in the United States where the standard of living far exceeds the actual needs. Since you have a relationship with God, that relationship was built upon faith and trust. It means that you believe that God has His heart set on what is best for you. Part of this trust is to accept the fact that God will not always give you what you want especially if it will harm you and prevent you from experiencing what He knows is best for you. His promise is to take care of your needs. As His child and a growing follower of Christ, you are called to give your life for His eternal purposes. This includes turning over to Him the right to determine what your personal needs are. This is how you grow in your faith in Him because you learn how to trust Him as He provides for your needs. Allow Him to work through you and submit to Him as He works out what is best for your life. In this way, you will learn what Paul discovered as the secret of contentment because he knows that God will meet all his needs. “I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. 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” (Philippians 4:11-13).
Blessings,
