Needs Met?

A great need: to get the little round ball into the little bigger round hole! Cascade, Idaho

Finishing our study of Philippians 4, verses 19 and 20 Paul tells us, “And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus. Now all glory to God our Father forever and ever! Amen.”

All my needs met. What does that mean? Simply, the context here is that Paul is thanking the folk from Philippi for sending him gifts that took care of him while he was imprisoned. The gifts appear to be monetary. So the implication is that God will take care of their monetary needs. The New Bible Commentary states: “The measure of God’s giving is infinitely greater than that of any human giving. God’s promise is to supply all that he sees we need, and not only out of but according to (in the measure of) His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.

Montana Gary came through like a charm. Allow me to share his comments. He has such a bright mind that you may need a commentary to understand his commentary!!! Any way, speak out, Gary.
“Philippians 4:19 (KJV) But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

“You make this too easy, Ray. You give away the answer to your “Need” question by the topics you addressed arriving at the final question. You went from harmony to joy to peace to thanksgiving to security to focus to contentment to our strength in Him. I suspect this was a trick question about “need” because we seldom think about these as our needs especially when we talk about all and riches.

The preceding verse, Philippians 4:18 (KJV) “But I have all and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well-pleasing to God” sets us up for the rhetorical statement. It is obvious that Paul does not have ALL or RICHES in the context that we want to consider either of those words. We want all to include everything and riches to be stuff but Paul clearly is not addressing everything or stuff. He is also not talking of position, respect, authority among the world system. Philippians is written by Paul from prison in Rome where he has neither goods nor worldly position yet he says he has all and abounds, that he has learned to be content.

“Three key words: Supply, Need, Riches with three key origins: God, Glory, Christ Jesus.
Supply, to make full and often carries the idea of replenishing what is being used.
Need, what ought to be, proper, inherent in design, intended; necessary to fulfill intent
Riches, that which fulfills, furnishes, fullness; root is idea of that which permeates as an aroma fills throughout
Glory, that which expresses the dignity, character of, doxa; recognition of image and character

I read this as, “My God replenishes us as full as His use requires for meeting His intention. Our fullness is as the aroma of His character is in the anointing of Jesus to the Father’s purposes.”

I don’t see the popular spin that we get all we want but rather that God keeps us as full as is useful to fulfill His purpose in us. God is not such a pauper that His riches are limited to precious metals that man would crave after—after all, He uses gold for paving, pearls for gates, fantastic jewels for wall foundations. God is neither impressed nor impoverished by the common values of man—His innate value far transcends created minerals.

If we consider the values of God, the true heavenly values that we are to seek (“Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done”) we must go beyond the temporal, the temporary, the transitory and to that which lasts, which has been from the beginning and which will last for eternity. Hence we come back to the character of the Creator and the traits you discussed in the last couple weeks of blogs.

Harmony as God is One. We are to have harmony with Him and our brethren.
Joy in knowing Him and not in circumstance
Peace of heart in agreeing with His values.
Thanksgiving in what He provides, contentment in our place with Him, His provisions for us.
Security given of Him and not created by ourselves.
Focus upon His desires and means.
Contentment, satisfaction in His embrace of our life.
Strength not of ourselves but His abiding, sustaining presence.

The riches God focuses upon is recreating His character in us, showing forth the image of Jesus within us no matter what our material situation. It is in His character that we can express Him no matter our finances or physical conditions and circumstances. His character in us translates the image of Jesus into all cultures and situations no matter what the condition of the disciple. We do not have to be wealthy, healthy, witty or prominent to express the Image of God.

Ray, you said it well when you described how God supplied your need as “… an even deeper intimacy with God” when you lost your communion with Ann’s presence (death). It was not the same replenishing but it was divine. You are who you are with God today and able to express His fullness in you because you have experienced that fulfilling of the need at times when you had no other source and God continues to replenish you daily."

Thanks, Gary, for taking the time and energy to address this issue very thoroughly.

AS I do a quick rerun of this brilliant Chapter Four of Philippians, I am intrigued to make a more in-depth study of it. Ten themes stand out. We’ll hit a summary of the chapter tomorrow.