Phil.4:19
In this enterprising climax to the book of Philippians, the apostle Paul is characteristically most diligent in his choice of words. It is noteworthy how he aligns “our need” to “his riches” (4:19). The supreme truth conveyed, is there is no need that we have, that He cannot furnish. This is such an encouraging and uplifting passage of Scripture. What a promise! With greatest confidence and authority, this fearless apostle asserts, “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (v.19). We, therefore, take His word as it stands with boundless joy and thanksgiving. Church, there is absolutely no need that you or I can have that is beyond His ability to meet, absolutely none. Yet how often are we tempted to forget His extravagant riches made available to us through our precious Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. It is said that Moody once spoke of this verse as a blank check:
- The Firm – “My God”
- The Promise – “shall supply”
- The amount – “All your need”
- The capital – “His riches”
- The Bank address – “in glory”
- The signature – “Christ Jesus.”
In the passage, it is evident that the apostle had nothing with which to repay the Philippians, for the precious gifts they had sent to him in his time of need and affliction. They had communicated with him at a time when no one else did. He describes their gifts to him as “an odor of sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well pleasing to God” (v.18). However, he hastens to remind them of the promise, “But my God shall supply…”
He sits here in prison and speaks about abundance and fulness and joy and having all things and not just having enough but abounding and overflowing. In verse 18, he declares with such bold assurance “But I have all, and abound: I am full… “(18). He strongly implies that with God there is no lack. Psalm 34:10 reminds us that “The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing.” May we also keep in mind that He promises to supply “all our need” and not our greed, as one discreetly pointed out. We also note Paul’s distinct, personal relationship with this God. He calmly refers to Him as “My God.” May the Almighty help us to have such a vitally intimate relationship with Him as the apostle. There was no doubt in his mind concerning the all sufficiency and generosity of God to supply and meet every need.
“All your need” speaks not just of temporal needs but also spiritual. Church, you can afford to spread them out and catalog them one by one – All your need whether temporal or spiritual, for your body, for your soul, for yourselves, for your neighbors, for your family, present, future, social, domestic, simple, complicated, need for more of Christ, need for more earnestness in finding time for prayer and the Word, need to break the power of cancelled sin – Every need, He shall supply! We just need to Endorse the Promise! Keep in mind that the cheque must be endorsed by the person to whom it is payable. That is, You! Endorse the Promise today!
Leroy V. Greenaway
Presiding Bishop – Northeast Region
