Philippians 4:14-19

14 Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble. 15 And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. 16 Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again. 17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit. 18 I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. 19 And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 20 To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.

The previous sentence ends with God; this one begins with God. And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. The gifts from the Philippians were pleasing to God; God will return more than they gave. Friendship requires reciprocal giving and receiving. But since he is chained in a Roman prison, Paul cannot return gifts in kind to the Philippians. Within the corporate life of believers in Christ Jesus, however, they will receive a return for their gifts from my God. When God is the all-encompassing person in friendship, he dramatically changes the dynamics of reciprocal giving and receiving.

What do you worry about? What is it that makes you anxious? Journalist Eric Sevareid (1912–1992) said, “The biggest business in America is not steel, automobiles, or television. It is the manufacture, refinement, and distribution of anxiety.”

The answer to anxiety, although easier to say than practice, is to replace it with trust. Jesus told us not to worry about tomorrow.