Would not be extremely encouraged by reading, “And my God will supply every need of
yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19, ESV). We
are encouraged because :
· It is so definite: "my God will".
·
It is so all-encompassing: "every
need".
·
It is so personal: "of yours".
·
It is also so infinite: "according to his
riches in glory" -- preposition kata ("according
to") conveys appropriate to or corresponding.
Imagine finding ourselves in an anxious moment as we leave
the doctor's office but we can say, "My God will supply every need . .
.." Or perhaps we might suddenly
get hit with financial pressure but we can say, "My God will supply every
need . . .." We might see the bill
increase but the number of hours of paid work decrease, but we can say,
"My God will supply every need . . .." OR CAN
WE?
One Pastor said in a sermon: “In view of life’s difficult
circumstances many of us must wonder from time to time whether or not God
really cares for us or not. All of us have had perplexing situations that we
have had to deal with. All of us have had needs which we have earnestly prayed
over. I want you to know this morning
that GOD WILL PROVIDE!”[1]
Question! Is that
what Paul is saying in this verse. Let's
look a little closer.
We note that Philippians 4:19 starts with a little 3-letter
word in English: "and". ‘And’
is a conjunction. It’s a little word
used in connecting two clauses or sentences. Every single English translation starts this verse with ‘and’. So what thought is Paul connecting?
The Church of Philippi was started by Paul. He was the church planter. But in this context he is writing from house
arrest in Rome. One reason he was
writing them was to give thanks for the gift they had sent to him via Epaphroditus (himself a member of
the Philippian congregation). (see Philippians 1:3–5)
Paul had a need. We
don’t know what kind of need. But he had
a need. The Philippian Church had wanted to help him but for some reason did
not have the opportunity. In spite of
that Paul tells them he is content.(cf: Philippians 4:14)
They now had been able to send him some gift. This was a generous church. Paul felt like
they were his partners (v1:5). At times only they supported him. Even while in Thessalonica they supported
him. Paul could not repay the
Philippians, but he knows his God would.
They gave out of their earthly wealth. God will meet their out of His
riches in glory. (Philippians
4:19)
The point that Paul is making is "Those who are generous toward God will find
that he is generous toward them and will supply their every need … in Christ." Paul says specifically to the
Philippian congregation that God will meet their needs
because they have met the needs of others, namely him on his
missionary journeys.
"This assurance of the divine supply of the Philippians' needs implies
that they had given so liberally that they actually left themselves in some
real "need" (χρεία). Yet it is true that those who share
generously with others, especially to advance the work of the Lord, are
promised a divine supply of anything they might lack because of their
generosity."[2]
Note also
these proverbial promises:
&
Proverbs
11:25 (ESV), 25 Whoever brings blessing will be
enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered.
&
Proverbs
19:17 (ESV) , 17 Whoever is generous to the poor
lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed.
Now we
certainly know that our Heavenly Father will always care for us. Matthew 6 makes that clear. But this verse is
far more pointed than that. Paul's point
(and ultimate the point of the Holy Spirit) is that where true generosity
leaves a need in my life and yours, God will look after us. It is irresponsible to somehow claim this
verse in any other context.
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