Day 20 | "My God Shall Supply All Your Needs" Not Written to You, But... – "Who I Am In Christ" Firm Foundation 21-Day Devotional
Philippians 4:19, And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
The text above were among the last words the Apostle Paul wrote in his letter to the Philippian church. This is a very positive and popular verse today. It is important to remember that that Bible was not written with chapters and verses. This is a verse that needs the context in which it was written.
First of all, Paul was not “talking” to you, me, or anyone reading this text today. He specifically wrote to people in the Philippian church. (They were the “your” of the statement). Certainly, as Scripture today, this text can have application, but it must first be understood in its context.
God supplying every need of the Philippians “according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus” was a conditional promise. Many things that God does is attached to prior conditions. Certainly, His love is always unconditional, but God can love you and still let you fail and suffer need. Obedience to God matters.
What Paul wrote to the Philippians explains their path to blessing:
1. How one prays: “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.” (v. 6)
2. How one thinks: “Whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.” (v. 8)
3. They were givers and supported the ministry: “But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity...” (v. 10-16)
4. Learn contentment: “Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content.” (v. 11)
These were the types of faith-filled behaviors and mindsets which contributed to Paul's declaration over them, “God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”
The text above were among the last words the Apostle Paul wrote in his letter to the Philippian church. This is a very positive and popular verse today. It is important to remember that that Bible was not written with chapters and verses. This is a verse that needs the context in which it was written.
First of all, Paul was not “talking” to you, me, or anyone reading this text today. He specifically wrote to people in the Philippian church. (They were the “your” of the statement). Certainly, as Scripture today, this text can have application, but it must first be understood in its context.
God supplying every need of the Philippians “according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus” was a conditional promise. Many things that God does is attached to prior conditions. Certainly, His love is always unconditional, but God can love you and still let you fail and suffer need. Obedience to God matters.
What Paul wrote to the Philippians explains their path to blessing:
1. How one prays: “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.” (v. 6)
2. How one thinks: “Whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.” (v. 8)
3. They were givers and supported the ministry: “But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity...” (v. 10-16)
4. Learn contentment: “Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content.” (v. 11)
These were the types of faith-filled behaviors and mindsets which contributed to Paul's declaration over them, “God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”
It will be true for you and me if we walk the same faith-filled path.
Reflection Questions:
1. Why is Philippians 4;19 misunderstood?
2. How do you need to build faith-filled obedience to God?
Reflection Questions:
1. Why is Philippians 4;19 misunderstood?
2. How do you need to build faith-filled obedience to God?
3. Why is context important to reading Scripture?
Action Items:
Action Items:
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