Will God Supply All YOUR Needs? - Finding Joy in Philippians – October 21 Readings: Philippians 4:15-20

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Finding Joy in Philippians  

Background: For the next three weeks, we will be studying the Book of Philippians, another of Paul's letters from his Roman prison. In Philippi, men were using Paul's imprisonment as proof he was not genuine and seeking to undermine his authority. Many in the church were shaken at the fact that the Apostle was imprisoned. He wrote the letter to explain his imprisonment and to encourage his readers to walk in joy despite all the evil in the world. 

Philippians is not nearly as easily outlined at Ephesians was - it is much more personal and exhortational compared to the theological intent of Ephesians. Philippians was the church that was founded when Paul received the vision of the Macedonian man saying, "Come and help us."  

As often as time allows, the reader is encouraged to read the entire book - it will not take more than a few minutes. Each day we will work our way through the book passage by passage. 


Today's Reading:  Philippians 1-4  Focus Passage - Philippians 4:15-20


And you Philippians know that in the early days of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving except you alone. 16 For even in Thessalonica you sent gifts for my need several times. 17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the profit that is increasing to your account. 18 But I have received everything in full, and I have an abundance. I am fully supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what you provided—a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. 19 And my God will supply all your needs according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 20 Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.


Through the Bible Readings: Jeremiah 45-46, Colossians 3:18–4:18, Psalm 119:17–24, Proverbs 25:23–24

 

If you wish to read through the Bible in a year, follow these readings. 

Devotional: Will God Supply All YOUR Needs?    


My God will supply all your needs according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 
What an amazing promise God gives us in Philippians 4:19. We don't need to worry about anything financially. God will provide it. He will give you everything you need and you can trust in him. 

But wait a minute. Should you perhaps make sure, before you start claiming that promise that it actually applies to you, that you have a right to take that promise as your own? There are two kinds of promises in the Bible. There are unconditional promises - promises for which there are no conditions given (except, perhaps, the assumption that one is a believer). For instance, when God says, "I will never leave you or forsake you," that is an absolute, unconditional promise. If you are living well, God is not going to leave you. If you have a bad week, or month, or year, he is still not going to let go of you. There are also conditional promises, those which can only be accessed by people who meet the condition the Scripture sets forth. "If you will, then I will..."

Is this promise conditional or unconditional? There is no specific condition listed, but the context seems to settle that question. Look at what is said about these people. Paul commends them for their generosity, their faithful financial support for his ministry. In fact, their giving is the standard for all of New Testament giving. In 2 Corinthians 8-9 Paul holds up the Macedonians as those who gave all that they were able, even beyond their ability. He describes their giving in the most sterling terms. Who might these Macedonians be? When Paul heard in his vision from the Macedonian man, where did he go? Philippi! This was the main church in the Macedonian region. Paul was describing the Philippians' giving.

Having described their faithful, joyful giving, Paul then said, "My God will supply all YOUR needs." This was not a promise given to everyone, but to those who gave joyously and faithfully. 

If you are a faithful, generous, cheerful giver - a Macedonian giver - you can count on this promise from God given to the Philippians. God will supply your needs. If you are stingy about giving, unwilling to share your blessings with those around you, God may be gracious but he is not bound by this promise to supply for those who give stingily, who are selfish with what they have. 

Father, help me to be the kind of giver that was seen in Macedonia, the kind that fulfills the condition of this promise. 

Think and Pray:

Are you a faithful and generous giver?  

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