Philippians 4:19-20

Pandemic vs Promised Provision

But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19) The Philippians had done their part and now God would bless their finances. They had seen to it that Paul's needs were met, he was full. In return, God would meet their needs. They would also be full.

Notice several thoughts connected to this verse.

First, it was Personal—My God. Such promises can be claimed by no one other than His own. Because we have been bought by Him we are His responsibility. He will care for us. Think about it Christian! He is OUR GOD!

Paul tells the Philippians that God’s provision is a guarantee for them. Paul had a personal relationship with God. Can you say as Paul said, “My God!” He is the personal God to all who trusts in His Son the Lord Jesus Christ. In the pronoun "my," Paul was letting his readers know that he maintained a relationship with God.  The word "God" (theos) speaks of the one true God.  This word is synonymous with the Hebrew words Elohim and Jehovah.  The word "Elohim" is God's creating name.  It speaks of his power and preeminence.  The word "Jehovah" is God's relational name.  It speaks of his unoriginated, immutable, eternal and self-sustained existence.  Paul wanted his readers to know that his creating, eternal God would be liberal to them because of their liberality to him and through him.

Two Things to focus on from the Word Study:

1. He can Create what is needed!

2. For those in a Relationship with Him!

Second, it was Positive—shall supply. Take notice here that it does not say, "might supply," or "could supply," but "shall supply." Paul knew that the promises of God were good. We can count on the promises of God.

Those who had been liberal in their giving to Paul could be sure that God would be a liberal giver to them.  Because of the source of supply being God, the supply is certain.  God is not only the giver of what is deserved, he also gives those things that are undeserved.

This text suggests that God is the source of large resources.  Just as it is impossible to empty the ocean with a water bucket, it is impossible for us to exhaust all of God's resources.  Our needs will never be greater than his resources.

One of the greatest mistakes we make in life is to center our minds and thoughts on self and our needs.  It is tragic to live life and not be mindful of God.  When we live unmindful of God, our lives will move outside of God's will.  It is possible for our lives to move outside of God's will and yet we remain respectable in appearance.

The most important thing we can do in life is to put God first, put him in the center of our lives.  When God is in the center of our lives, everything in our lives will be organized around him.  When God is in the center of our lives, those things that appear to be unsatisfied needs will prove not to be needs at all.

The word "supply" comes from the same Greek word translated "full" in verse eighteen. This word (pleroo) means to fill to the full.  It means to furnish or supply liberally, to fill to the top, so that nothing shall be wanting.  It means to make complete in every particular, to render perfect.  God promises to fill every need in the life of those who are liberal in their giving.

In the model prayer, God is pictured as our Father.  His relationship to us as Father is proof that he is willing to give good gifts to us.  Because of God's love for us, his gifts are precious to us.

Life Application:

When you can't see a solution, my God shall supply. When men ignore or don't recognize your need, my God shall supply. When there is no other source, my God shall supply. When you are alone and unknown, my God shall supply. You may wonder, "Is the Lord personally involved in my life? Is He available to me right now? Does God just know about my needs or will He meet them?" The answers to all these questions are "Yes!" He is alive and well!

Third, it was Participants—all your needs. Paul’s prayer that God may fulfill all their needs. Paul’s prayer gives encouragement and expectation to the readers.

As they met all of Paul’s needs (v. 16), so God will meet all their needs.

But Paul does not see this gift as simply coming from Philippi. He sees it as the supply of his need from heaven. Paul’s trust was in the Lord. There is an interesting contrast between Philippians 4:18 and 19. We might state it this way if we were to paraphrase Paul: “You met my need, and God is going to meet your need. You met one need that I have, but my God will meet all of your needs. You gave out of your poverty, but God will supply your needs out of His riches in glory!”

God has not promised to supply all our “greeds.” When the child of God is in the will of God, serving for the glory of God, then he will have every need met.

"Your." The prerequisite for this compensation is faithfulness in supporting the Gospel. If you want this text to apply to you as it applied to the Philippian believers, you must give as they gave. They gave a sacrificial, generous LOVE OFFERING- ABOVE- THEIR REGULAR SUPPORT.

Swindoll's Living Insights says, “Some people imagine a massive treasure house in heaven, full of health, wealth, and happiness, just waiting for believers to unlock it with faith and thus receive riches to their hearts' content. I know certain health-and-wealth preachers who like to claim that sending them your cash will open the floodgates of heaven, allowing you to experience "the good life." But that's a very different scenario from what Paul was envisioning. Rather, the idea seems to be that as we serve as faithful conduits of generosity toward those who, like Paul, have genuine needs, God will continue to supply what we need—so we can continue to bless others! And as many have rightly observed, Philippians 4:19 says that God will provide for all our needs, not all our greeds.”

Participating Partners This passage deals with stewardship, in particular the giving of money to meet the needs of ministers and missions or the spread of the gospel to the world. Remember: Paul is in prison facing the false charge of insurrection against the government. He is facing the death penalty if convicted. The Philippians had heard about his plight, and they had heard how Paul was standing fast and continuing to preach the gospel to everyone who visited him. The church was stirred to do two things: to take up a love offering and to send a man, Epaphroditus, to minister to Paul's needs.

1. God’s Mission

One of the first things Christians need to realize about giving is that it is not to make the Church or the Pastor rich. Giving was designed by Almighty God to accomplish His work in the world. Giving, through the local Church, supplies the funds necessary to go forth with the gospel of Jesus Christ to reach the lost. It also allows the Church to help with the needs of those who are already Christians. In this case, Paul, a servant of Christ, received help from the local Church, as a result of people giving as they ought.

Philippians 4:10 (HCSB) 10  I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that once again you renewed your care for me. You were, in fact, concerned about me but lacked the opportunity ⌊to show it⌋.

Note the words "flourished again" (anethalete PWS: 1536): it means to revive again. It is the picture of plants and flowers sprouting, shooting up, and blossoming again. The key word is again. When the church had been founded, the believers had supported Paul and his mission work on a regular basis. But for some reason they had dropped their mission support. God's ministers and missions world-wide.

⇒ The gospel must be supported. ⇒ The gospel must be carried world-wide.

⇒ The need of the hour is for churches to awaken to the world-wide mission of Christ.

⇒ Preachers, that is, ministers, missionaries, teachers, and evangelists—all of God's appointed preachers and teachers—must be supported as they carry the gospel to the world. It is sad that so many Christians have not learned the joy of giving. Joyful giving is a way of life for the surrendered Christian. Throughout the Bible, giving is associated with joy. Many Christians shriek and rebel at the subject of giving. Even at the slightest mention of tithes, missions, or a special offering, their response is usually, "Here we go again, talking about money in Church. The preacher is after my money." The Bible has much to say about money, giving to the Church and supporting God's work. It is interesting to consider how preaching about giving to the Lord irritates and angers some Christians, even to the point of leaving Church over it.

Yet:

The government takes 25-40% of their income but they do not leave the country!

Waitresses get 15%-20% tips for serving groups and they do not stop going to restaurants!

Bank cards and loans can charge well above 10% and they still use both them and the banks!

2. God’s Minister Philippians 4:11-14 (HCSB) 11 I don’t say this out of need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. 12 I know both how to have a little, and I know how to have a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret ⌊of being content⌋—whether well fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need. 13 I am able to do all things through Him who strengthens me. 14 Still, you did well by sharing with me in my hardship.

The church's giving was not necessary, but it was needed. Very simply, what this means is that God will take care of His dear servant even if churches do not adequately care for him. Giving is not necessary because God teaches His servants to be content, no matter the circumstances (Phil. 4:11-12).

The word "content" (autarkēs PWS: 751) means to be self-sufficient; to be completely detached from circumstances. The word "learned." It was a learning experience. Paul had to learn to conquer circumstances and not to let circumstances worry him. But note:

He had learned contentment. He says three descriptive things:

⇒ that he knew how to be abased (to live humbly with little) and how to abound (to live with plenty and prosperity).

⇒ that he knew the secret to facing every situation, whether being full or going hungry.

⇒ that he knew how to abound (live in plenty) and how to suffer need. True contentment is found in Jesus Christ. To have contentment in the Lord requires three decisions about the events and possessions of our lives...

1. We Must Direct— We must direct our focus on what God has already allowed us to have. This involves counting our blessings and being thankful to the Lord for each and all His gifts. Daniel Webster stated, "If you want to feel rich, just count all the things you have that money can't buy." And there are some things that money cannot buy...

...money can buy a Bed, but money can’t buy Rest...

...money can buy a House, but money can’t buy a Home...

...money can buy a Ring, but money can’t buy a Marriage...

...money can buy Medicine, but money can’t buy Good Health...

...money can buy Make-up, but money can’t buy Real Beauty...

...money can buy a Woman, but money can’t buy a Lady...

...money can buy Man, but money can’t buy a Gentleman...

...money can buy Food, but money can’t buy an Appetite...

...money can buy Drugs, but money can’t buy Peace...

...money can buy Luxury, but money can’t buy Comfort...

2. We Must Disregard— We must disregard what we do not have in our possession. Men are even richer in what they can do without.

There is so much we think we need but really could do without. Contentment teaches us to do without. A person who depends on material things for peace, assurance, happiness, or satisfaction will find he will never be satisfied. E. Stanley Jones tells about a poverty stricken man who had an unexpected guest stop in for the night. He escorted the guest to his humble accommodations in the hayloft of the barn and said, "If there is anything you want, let me know, and I will come and show you how to get along without it." 3. We Must Decide— in regard to our happiness is not, "What things do I possess?" The key question is "What possesses me?" Contentment does not arrive by chance. It is not inherited, purchased or a product of discipline. It is learned as Paul stated.

Fourth, Provisional-all your needs. Again the promise is specific. He does not say "some of your needs." He does not say, "the most important of your needs."

All your needs is based on

Philippians 4:17 (HCSB) 17  Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the profit that is increasing to your account. God saw who sacrificially gave to support Paul and He deposited a reward to their account (Phil. 4:17). This was what Paul desired in giving: not a gift for himself, but a reward for the giver. Paul knew that God saw and rewarded the believers who gave sacrificially; therefore, Paul desired believers to give and to give sacrificially. Paul focused on what their good works on his behalf were benefiting them in heaven.

The nkjv translates this phrase, "the fruit that abounds to your account" and the nrsv says "the profit that accumulates to your account." The financial language showed the Philippians that their gifts to Paul were investments that paid dividends or accumulated interest (or "profit") that would be credited to their heavenly account.

When we give to those in need, we benefit as well as the receiver, as we grow in the grace of giving (2 Corinthians 8:1, 6-7; 9:14). Paul appreciated the Philippians' spirit of love and devotion more than their gifts. God would remember their gifts to Paul.

When we give to God's servants for the work of God, we also share in the reward of the workers. Since they had given of their money and supported him in his work, the Philippians themselves were partakers in the fruit and reward of his ministry.

WHAT DOES YOUR SPIRITUAL ACCOUNT LOOK LIKE?

The words "giving and receiving" are business terms referring to the credit and debit side of a ledger. It was as if Paul was saying to them, "No other church opened an account with me except you." The fruit of his ministry would bring reward to the church at Philippi in the present and at the Judgment Seat of Christ. The term "abound to your account" is a money market term. It means "interest which may be accumulated in your account." Paul's motive was not to seek a gift, but fruit on the spiritual account of the Philippian believers. He "desired" this fruit for them which means "he craved or clamored" for it. In verse 16, Paul indicated that they sent support to Paul not just once, but twice. The gift they sent was intended to be a benefit for the receiver, but was an even greater benefit to the giver. Spiritual fruit and blessings were credited to the account of the Philippian church. They gave to Paul and received blessings for doing so.

There is the great Provision: "all your needs." This promise does not refer only to the physical needs for food, clothing, and shelter. It refers to mental, emotional, social, and spiritual needs. It refers to any need that arises, engulfs, or confronts the believer. No need will be omitted or overlooked. No need is too big or too little. No need is unimportant—not to God, not if His dear child is really experiencing the need.

Life Application:

⇒ There may be a lesson for the believer to learn before the need can be met, some lesson such as more trust, endurance, love, joy, peace, gentleness, meekness, or control.

⇒ There may be some testimony that the believer needs to share as to the strength of Christ which carries us through trials. But no matter what the trial or need is, God will supply all our needs.

He has promised to supply ALL of our needs.

The emphasis here is on the word "all."  The word "all" (pas) means the whole, every kind or variety.  It means the highest or maximum degree.  It speaks of the totality of the things referred to.  This means that this promise is not restricted.

The life we live in relationship to God can place limits on our blessings from God or it can release limits from our blessings from God.  God does not give us his best gifts when we are not prepared to make the best use of them.

Philippians 4:13 (HCSB) 13  I am able to do all things through Him who strengthens me. Philippians 4:19 (HCSB) 19  And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. The all things of personal experience (verse 13) is matched by the every need which might come upon the Philippians or us. Nothing will prove beyond the capacity of this God whom Paul knows well enough to call my God. And he will not be mean in giving to them. He will supply … according to his riches in glory. He will meet your need to the full. In so doing, his supply will not be limited to the size of your need, but rather according to (that is, in a manner which befits) his riches.

Fifth, it was Plentiful—according to his riches in glory. That settles the issue right there. Our needs will be met according to his riches in glory. The bank of Heaven is still full and it is from His riches that He will supply us. We will be all right.

Then Paul hastens to assure them that they have not impoverished themselves in giving so liberally to the cause of the gospel. The word “supply” is the translation of the same Greek word translated “I am full.” That is, God’s treatment of the Philippian saints will correspond to their treatment of Paul. They filled full Paul’s every need to overflowing. God will do the same for them. The measure of the supply which God the Father has is determined by His wealth in glory, which wealth in glory is in Christ Jesus, an infinite supply.

There is the great resource: "according to His riches in glory." Take all the riches and wealth, glory and majesty of heaven—it is all available to meet the needs of God's dear people. There is no limit—not even a fraction—to the great resources at God's disposal. God can provide for any need. God’s resources our inexhaustible! They are limitless. He owns the cattle on a thousand hills. His resources are more than sufficient and impossible to comprehend. Paul tells the church that God shall supply all their need according to His riches in glory. Riches: ploutos, ploo'-tos; wealth (as fullness), i.e. (literal) money, possessions, or (figurative) abundance, richness, (special) valuable bestowment, riches. God’s supply will never run low or spoil, or be taken by force, or left for thieves and robbers. God’s supply is for God’s saints and He will meet their needs according to His riches. Brian Harbor said, “Our financial institutions used to seem sound and secure, but now their resources are often depleted. Bountiful wells have supplied water for many villages, but at times, they have dried up. Vast acres of land have been productive and fertile, which now have become arid wastelands. Many mines, once producing valuable ore, are now exhausted. Some engineers say a time is coming when even our supply of oil will be depleted, and our mass transportation system will come to a screeching halt. In contrast to all of those depletable resources, God’s resources are inexhaustible. When all the oil is gone, when the mines are closed, when all the land is wasted, when all the wells are dry, and when all the banks are defunct, God’s account will be just as full and just as adequate as it is right now. It is a source which will never run dry. It is inexhaustible. Out of that source God will supply all our needs.” God has the supply to meet all His children’s needs for all time. John Phillips wrote, “Out of His unfailing treasury He would supply their need. The Philippians had a double guarantee: the guarantee of God’s character and the guarantee of God’s Son. Even on the temporal level they were bound to be gainers by giving to God.” His supply is based on His resources and reservoirs in glory. God shall supply all our need according to His riches in glory. Glory speaks of the place of where God’s supply is located. It is a place of His presence and His provision. Paul tells the Philippians that God will take care of them.

Sixth , it was Powerful—by Christ Jesus.Those things which we do not have the power to perform, He will do. This is the promise of Almighty God. Ah Lord GOD! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee. (Jeremiah 32:17) It was the great missionary pioneer, J. Hudson Taylor who said, "When God's work is done in God's way for God's glory, it will not lack God's supply." What a blessed truth! You cannot out give God. It is by the Lord Jesus that our needs are met. He is the Source that supplies all our needs. The Philippians were taught a great theological truth about the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ. May we never forget that it is by Christ Jesus that we are saved, secured, and sustained. The Philippians were learning that when they gave to the servant of the Lord they gave to the Lord. They were blessed by the Lord and would be taken care of the Lord. HEY! We can trust the Lord not only with our future, but with our finances!

F. B Meyer said, “Lend your boat for a whole afternoon to Christ that it may be His floating pulpit, and He will return it to you full with fish. Place your upper room at His disposal for a single meal, and He will fill it and the whole house with the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. Place in His hands your barley loaves and fish, and He will not only satisfy your hunger, but add twelve baskets full of leftovers. The Philippians sent three or four presents to a suffering and much needing servant of God, and from that moment... every need of theirs would be supplied.”

God would supply all their need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. God sends blessings and meets needs by Christ Jesus. That is why it is important that we serve God in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the power of the Holy Spirit. When we help others let them know that it is the Lord Jesus that is supplying their needs. When we give to others let them know that it is by Christ Jesus that we give. When we pray for others, counsel with others, minister to others let all be done by Christ Jesus.

To the artist the Lord Jesus Christ is the One Altogether Lovely.

To the architect He is the Chief Cornerstone.

To the baker He is the Living Bread.

To the banker He is the Hidden Treasure.

To the biologist He is the Life.

To the builder He is the Sure Foundation.

To the carpenter He is the Door.

To the doctor He is the Great Physician.

To the educator He is the Great Teacher.

To the engineer He is the New and Living Way.

To the farmer He is the Sower and the Lord of the Harvest.

To the florist He is the Rose of Sharon and the Lily of the Valley.

To the geologist He is the Rock of Ages.

To the Gardener He is the True Vine.

To the judge He is the Righteous Judge, the Judge of all men.

To the juror He is the Faithful and True Witness.

To the jeweler He is the Pearl of Great Price.

To the lawyer He is Counselor, the Lawgiver, the Advocate.

To the newspaper man He is the Good News of Great Joy.

To the philanthropist (one who loves and seeks to benefit mankind) He is the Unspeakable Gift.

To the philosopher He is the Wisdom of God.

To the preacher He is the Word of God.

To the sculptor He is the Living Stone.

To the statesman He is the Desire of all Nations.

To the student He is the Incarnate Truth.

To the theologian He is the Author and Finisher of our Faith.

To the laborer He is the Giver of Rest.

To the sinner He is the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world.

To the Christian He is the Son of the Living God, the Savior, the Redeemer and Lord. Christ Jesus is well able to meet our needs. He is the promised Messiah and He has all power to supply what is lacking in my life and your life. Because of Who He is, where He is, and what He has His provision is guaranteed for us.

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