At this time of year, most of us think about what we want most for Christmas. We also think about what our loved ones want and we make our best effort to buy or do something that will really please them. Paul told the church in Philippi that no one else, no other church gave towards his need when he left Macedonia besides them. He also wanted this church to know that he had more than enough and that “my God shall supply all your need…” This includes his own need. So in the passage today, Paul tells them what he desires most for them. He hopes that this church will receive more because of their giving.
Yet it was kind of you to share in my trouble. 15 And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. 16 Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again. 17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit. 18 I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. 19 And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 20 To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.
Philippians 4:14-20 ESV
More Than Enough
The theme of “more than enough” reminds me that I need to be content and live a life of thanksgiving, regardless of my circumstances. I believe that we can still have needs and yet know that we still have more than enough. Our heavenly Father knows that we have needs. Look at Matthew 6 , the same chapter as The Lord’s Prayer. Jesus tells us to seek first the kingdom of God and all other things will be added unto you. O ur heavenly Father knows that we need certain things like clothing. He is going to supply our needs! He simply needs our dependence on Him to Know that He will provide.
As I study chapter 4, I see a circle(or cycle)that begins with thankfulness. When we are truly thankful for what we have, we are content and don’t feel like we must have more. We have more than enough because God has supplied all my need and He is going to supply your need as well. Finally, I praise Him because I depend on Him and I know that He comes through! The timing that we think we should have what we need is not always the timing that God has for us to receive our needs. This is still how we depend on Him.
So, the circle goes like this:
I am Thankful for what I have
I am Content. I do not expect or ask for more
I really have more than enough
Therefore, I Praise Him
Notice that Paul didn’t say that he had everything he needed. He told the Philippian church that they sent him money when he did have needs. He didn’t focus on needs though, he focused on the fact that he had more than enough and God supplies all our need. Paul was certainly thankful as he stated that their giving was “credited to their account.” He wanted them to receive credit and praise for the giving that they did. The giving that Epaphroditus brought him from Philippi, Paul says that “They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God.” God is pleased when we sacrifice what we have to give to those in need.
Don’t Spoil But Teach Contentment
In our culture, many of us are used to receiving more than what we really need. We are very “spoiled.” Many are upset if they don’t have the latest electronics or certain brands or amounts of clothing or food. If we can’t buy a certain amount of gifts at Christmas for our kids and can’t buy them all that they want, we feel bad about it.
What are we teaching though if we don’t give them all that they want?
Is God going to supply their wants or their needs?
Are they thankful for what they do have?
Are they also content with what they have or do they believe that they need or deserve more?
Are they learning from us personally that we have an attitude of praise to God for all that we have?
I believe that many families should teach their kids that they don’t get all that they want. They need to give and be taught the virtue of giving vs receiving.
A Challenge for you this Christmas:
If you have a family, decide together how you can give. Make a decision to not give them everything that they put on a “Christmas list.” To some people, this may seem unkind, but what is really unkind is to teach them that they should complain when they don’t get everything that they want. Find another family, individual or a charity that needs your help and decide together how you will give.
We must teach our kids to be thankful and content in whatever circumstances that they are in. They may not understand for a while but you really are doing a disservice when you give your kids everything that they want. It is not wrong to ask what a loved one would like to have. However, it is very wrong though to expect to receive it. Entitlement is all over our culture right now. Regardless if we hope and wish for our kids to have nicer, better things or an easier life than what we and our ancestors had, the values that we learn and our ancestors learned are far more important than some of the selfishness that we see today. 1 Timothy 6:6 states, “ But godliness with contentment is great gain.”
Hard Circumstances
Those who lived during the time of the Great Depression learned how to stretch what they had. I’m sure this was such a difficult period of time in which to live. Women joined the workforce and even children began working in order to help their family. Some children even left their family because they felt that they were an extra burden to their family financially. The average American family lived by the Depression-era motto: “Use it up, wear it out, make do or do without.” Many tried to keep up appearances and carry on with life as close to normal as possible while they adapted to new economic circumstances.
Households embraced a new level of frugality in daily life. They kept kitchen gardens, patched worn-out clothes and passed on trips to the movies as they privately struggled to retain ownership of a home or automobile.
How Thankful Is She Now?
As I edit this post, Fox News announced that Brittney Griner, a women’s basketball player for the USA, was just freed from a Russian prison to come back to the United States. The question was asked, “how much appreciation will she now have for her home country after what she went through?” It will be very interesting to hear her story.
Phil Wickham Heart Full of Praise
George Mueller a missionary and evangelist in Bristol England, cared for many orphanages without asking for donations. Many times he did not know where the next meal would come from. God knew though and had a plan each time and provided for them. One morning, George did not have breakfast for the orphans but he stood up and prayed for the food that they would receive. He heard a knock on the door. It was a man who could not sleep at night so he woke up at 2 am and believed that God was telling him that he should bake some bread for the orphans, so this was the first knock. He delivered bread for all of them. Next was a milkman who delivered milk for them. You can read more on the link about George Mueller. Does this not show us that God provides for our needs? Also, read some more stories of God's provision all over the world.
My God Will Supply Every Need
The church in Philippi gave to Paul multiple times. I can tell that this meant a lot to him. It means a lot to us when we have a need and those that we love, especially our church, meets our need. It doesn’t have to be a financial need either. If we are struggling and hurting over and over again from a need in our family and our church finds out how they can help, this makes a big difference in our life. Something just like listening to us or asking us how they can help, really demonstrates to us, how our brothers and sisters in Christ truly care.
This year in particular, my husband and I went through tough times that I don’t understand still. A few friends and family members have checked in and asked how we are doing. A few listened. Those who I thought would, didn’t though. Churches, we need to look out for each other! We are meant to live in community and love each other. This doesn’t have to be a devastating situation or a hard financial loss. Are you available to your church, to come along side of those who need help? Pray for them, let them know that you are ready and available to talk when they are ready. Let them and even others who don’t attend church, to know that you are available and care!
34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
John 13:34-35
A Christmas Wreath
I studied the origin of the Christmas Wreath recently. I find it interesting that the Romans used wreaths as a sign of victory. People now place these on their doors. They are evergreen as well, meaning that their color does not change during seasons. This reminds me of the Circle of Praise that I wrote about earlier. I see victory when I think of living a life of thankfulness, contentment, realize that I have more than enough and then live a life that praises Him. Living a continuous life of praise does not end regardless of the season and circumstances of life. This life of praise goes on and reaches and teaches others as well.
Conclusion
I really hope that you have enjoyed this study in Philippians! Hopefully it has encouraged you in multiple ways as there are many practical truths in it for every day living. If there is a need in your life to talk or get help, please don’t hesitate to write to me and ask for prayer and/or help. I will probably take a break from writing on a specific book in the Bible for a while. Also, please be involved in a local church that will help you and if you have a spouse and a family. Seek Him first and Be Thankful!
And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:19