Promised Provision

Chuckle: What did Paul Revere say at the end of his famous ride? "Whoa!"

Quote for Today: "A rejected opportunity to give is a lost opportunity to receive." --Unknown source

The apostle Paul said, "I am fully supplied, having received what you provided. . . And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus"  (Philippians 4:18-19 HCSB).

Paul had experienced first hand the love and generosity of the Christians at Philippi. He had learned that God will care for His faithful servants and meet their every need, often through the generosity of fellow believers. Paul wanted to assure the Philippians Christians that because of their generous gifts to him God would, in turn, meet their needs. They could claim with confidence the promise that God would reward them by blessing them and their efforts to spread the gospel message.

In Scripture, God's blessings are often reciprocal in nature. Here are some examples from the lips of Jesus: "Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors (Matthew 6:12). "Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these (material) things will be given to you" (Matthew 6:33). "Give and it will be given to you . . . For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you" (Luke 6:38).

From our passage, Paul was saying to the Philippians, and to us, that our generosity toward others is the key that unlocks God's storehouse of physical and spiritual blessings which He wants to provide to us. It doesn't make much sense for us to expect God to meet our needs when we make no effort to meet the needs of others. With love, rejoicing and thanksgiving you should share what you have with others, and you will receive God's promised provision.

"Since you excel in so many ways -- you have so much faith, such gifted speakers, such knowledge, such enthusiasm, and such love for us -- now I want you to excel also in this gracious ministry of giving" 2 Cor. 8:7 NLT). If we believe God's Word, we will not doubt that God will be faithful in His promise to meet our needs. However, He expects generosity from us.

One other truth: We cannot claim God's promise fully unless we first accept the difference between our needs and our wants. We can't expect God to operate a general store dealing only in "wants" from which we go shopping for whatever pleases us and fulfills our selfish desires. Our attitudes and appetites will be shaped by our love for and trust in Christ. We will no longer want everything, but will desire to live for Him and accept His promised provision with thanksgiving.

Love, Jerry & Dotse