Matters of Faith: All You’ll Ever Need

By Rev. J. Loren Russell

19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:19 KJV

Phillipians, a book, written by Paul the Apostle, always challenged me. I know the background and the close relationship that existed between Paul and the church at Philippi. But what are those needs that Paul says will be supplied by God?  

There are some things that are easily recognized, like the passion for missions that the church maintained, and the constant support they gave to Paul and his ministry. It is also probable that Paul wrote this epistle while he was incarcerated and wanted to thank the church for their generosity. It would be difficult for anyone reading it not to recognize the deep affection he has for these generous people. He makes that clear when he writes, “I thank God for every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine making request for you all in joy” (1:3-4). But what needs do the Philippians have that will be provided for by God?  

Paul says, if it had not been for his imprisonment and intense suffering, the Philippian church would not have known how much the Lord had blessed them. He points out that it was his very afflictions that gave the Philippians the opportunity to give to him what he needed. They discovered what they were capable of through Paul’s struggles. Paul says that he so appreciates their faith, their prayers, and their support, while they are both hopeful that he would rejoin them at some point in the future. But there was a level of understanding in Paul’s writing that encouraged them whether he rejoined them or not, evidenced when he says, “Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel,” (1:27 NKJV). In other words, it’s not Paul, but Jesus who is the one who both sustains and gives abundantly. Hmm! Could this be the answer to my challenge? Could this be the needs the Philippians have that God says He will provide for?  

Paul is not being self-serving. He says, “It is not that I just want to receive gifts; rather, I want to see profit added to your account” (4:17 GNT). It is so difficult to be as clear minded as Paul when we are going through trials and tribulations. It’s arguably just as difficult to be clear minded when you are blessed with abundance. It’s easy to think that we deserve the blessings we have, that it is because of our wisdom, our knowledge, our strength, our influence, and our power that we are prospering. Paul implores the Philippian church to be gracious, to show humility and rejoice in the Lord because He has been the source of their blessings. Paul says that they, and in like manner we, must keep our mind focused on the things that are good, virtuous, and praiseworthy. When we do, we will learn, as Paul learned, that God will not only give us what we need to survive, but to thrive whether we have little or when we have much.  

If we focus our attention on the one who is the source and supply of all that we have; if we are willing to share what we have with those in need, it is “our God (who) will supply all (y)our needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (4:19). We will not only have all we will ever need, but we will have an overflow that can be given to others.  

Be Blessed!

Rev. J. Loren Russell is President/CEO of The JLR Company for Church Financial Strategy & Consulting; an associate minister at both Goodwill and The Greater Universal Baptist Churches in the Bronx; and creator & host of “Matters of Faith – The Radio Show” Mondays 8:00 – 10:00 PM. Listen on Matters of Faith on Facebook LIVE.

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