God will meet all our needs both spiritually and materially. The Philippian church has been generous to Paul and he is commending them for their generosity. Paul himself is content with whatever he has. Even if he is in need, it is God who strengthens him so that he knows how to be content in any situation (Phil 4:11).
But though he could have survived without the Philippians’ gift, and though he tells them that they don’t need to send him anything else, he is thankful for their sakes that they’ve been so generous. He knows that God will reward them for their generosity, and that makes him glad for them.
God is infinitely wealthy and never lacks the ability to provide for those who trust in him. He would have us be content, but he will also richly supply what he ordains that we should have. His Word says, “Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart” (Ps 37:4). This means he will change your desires to match his, and at the same time provide what you newly desire.
Breaking Down the Key Parts of Philippians 4:19
#1 “And…”
Their gift sent by way of Epaphroditus was a “fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God” (Phil 4:18). We have been saved into a holy priesthood to offer acceptable sacrifices (1 Pt 2:5). As a result of their offering, God will be re-supplying them.
#2 “…my God will meet all your needs…”
Whatever your needs are, when you trust in him, especially by way of giving for the sake of his mission, he will not fail to meet all your needs. There may be some wants and desires that are not from him, but he will bring your heart’s desires in line with what he is providing. If there is something that you need, he will supply it.
#3 “…according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.”
Once again, there is no limit to God’s riches. That he will give to us out of the “riches of his glory in Christ Jesus,” means that it is through Jesus, and because of Jesus that we have the Father as our supplier. God is the head of Christ, and Christ is the head of man (1 Cor 11:3). The head is the leader and source. All God’s gifts come to us through the glorious Savior, Jesus Christ.
Our relative degrees of comfort in modern times have perhaps numbed us to the challenges of daily life not even a hundred years ago. In ancient times, most of God’s followers and disciples had much less to subsist on, living by what may by today’s standards be considered poverty. Yet, we hear consistently in the Bible God’s praises being sung, thanking Him for His riches. This serves to remind us that we need perhaps much less than we think we do. These men and women still felt rich and thankful, still rejoiced in The Lord’s name -as it provided them with all they needed.
And we pray:
My God my Shepherd in the light, I thank You for all I have today. Lead me not to forget that You are my only grace and savior, in Whom countless treasures can be found. Show me the true wealth of life Lord, which I know rests only in Your Word and truth. In the name of Jesus Christ I pray, let these lessons enrich my soul each and every day as a disciple in Your hands. Amen.