My God Will...

“Nevertheless, you have done well to share with me in my affliction. You yourselves also know, Philippians, that at the first preaching of the gospel, after I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving but you alone; for even in Thessalonica you sent a gift more than once for my needs. Not that I seek the gift itself, but I seek for the profit which increases to your account. But I have received everything in full and have an abundance; I am amply supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what you have sent, a fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God. And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:14-19

The church in Philippi was very dear to Paul. It was the first church he established in Europe. The city itself was small, but the hearts of its Christian community were of grand proportions. Their mutual love for Paul led them to support his missionary efforts abroad. Their gifts did not come from their surplus, nor the minimum amount of a tithe. They gave a sacrificial amount.

Though bound by prison walls, Paul’s joy came from thinking about the blessings that would be the Philippians because of their generous hearts: “Not that I seek the gift itself, but I seek for the profit which increases to your account” (Philippians 4:17). Paul reassured the citizens of Philippi that God would surely supply all of their needs because their hearts first sought to meet the needs of His missionary. Their focus was on doing God’s will.

As we give in a pleasing and acceptable way to God, we can then claim the promise of Philippians 4:19: “And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” Isn’t it wonderful to know that we have such a bold promise to rest in as we focus on meeting the needs of those He places on our hearts? It frees us to enjoy all that God has planned for us.