The world’s economy is suffering right now, but the economy does not repeal the promises of God. If born again, your source is not your job. Your source is heaven, and heaven never has and never will have any financial problems, shortfalls, or deficits. If you live according to God’s Word, the laws of heaven will work on your behalf, and you will have every need met, regardless of what happens in the world around you. This wonderful promise is found in Philippians 4:19, which assures us, “My God shall supply ALL your needs, according to His riches in glory through Christ Jesus.” Now let us understand the true meaning of this promise.
- THIS PROMISE CAN ONLY BE CLAIMED BY FAITHFUL GIVERS. Paul was writing to people who have given to his ministry even in hard times. So don’t try to claim this promise if you have not been a faithful giver of your tithes and offerings to advance God’s kingdom, but if a giver, don’t fail to claim it.
- THE WORD SUPPLY IS THE GREEK WORD , “PLEROO” WHICH MEANS “TO FILL, MAKE FULL, MAKE UP A DIFICIENCY, OR TO TOTALLY SUPPLY.
- THE WORD “NEEDS” IS THE GREEK WORD, “CHREIA,” WHICH DESCRIBES NEEDS OF ALL KINDS. Even some Christians would say, “O, yes, God will supply all your spiritual needs, but He isn’t interested in your physical needs.” Now that is a lie you ought to reject. This word, “chreia,” is used to describe food which King David needed (Mark 2:5). The same word is used to describe the physical needs of widows in the early church (Acts 6:3). Thus, that means that our God cares about your house payments, car payments, school payments, your grocery bill, clothing expenses, gasoline, etc.
- IN ANYONE STILL DOUBTS THAT GOD WILL SUPPLY THE NEEDS OF FAITHFUL GIVERS TO THE GOSPEL, LET HIM TAKE SERIOUSLY THE LAST PART OF PHILIPPIANS 4:19, “…According to His riches ,” not just “out of His riches.
Illustration: I encountered a millionaire one day who said to me, without my asking him, “I want to help you financially.” I told him that I did not want a gift for myself, but for my church which desperately needed a heating plant. He replied, “I am not giving anything to your church because you may leave the church and some lousy pastor will come along who will destroy the church; but I have faith in you and I want to give something to you.” At this point I assumed that this man, the very rich president of the bank and discoverer of a major medicine, was getting ready to give me “according to his riches,” not just “out of his riches.” Alas, He gave me the measly sum of $100.00. My mind immediately raced to God’s promise in Philippians 4:19 – God gives to faithful givers to the Kingdom, not “out of His riches,” but “according to His riches in Christ Jesus.”
ONE LAST WORD: Some of you stand in great financial need, having lost your job, being in debt, and facing unexpected bills, etc. The way out of your need is to be sure you are giving, to the kingdom even in hard times, and you will see all your NEEDS met. For then you can claim God’s wonderful promise, “My God shall supply ALL your needs according to His riches in glory through Christ Jesus. “THERE HAS NOT FAILED ONE WORD OF ALL HIS GOOD PROMISES.” (1 Kings 8:56).