“But I have received everything in full and have an abundance; I am amply supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what you have sent, a fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God. And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:18–19
Imagine. You’ve been imprisoned for telling the truth. You’ve been beaten with rods. Stoned countless times. You were shipwrecked, saved the lives of everyone on the ship, and still taken before numerous courts. Your life is constantly being threatened. Yet, you still have the understanding and wherewithal of life and eternity to say, “I am amply supplied.” Paul was a man of great faith. In the bleakest of circumstances he saw through the muck and the ill-treatment, and saw the abundance Christ had provided for him through the generosity of the church through Epaphroditus. ”And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”
God has made us a promise of supply. Today, I want to discuss God’s promise of supply based on our needs, or you might say, demand. I’m sure you’ve heard the phrase ‘supply and demand.’ There are four basic rules of supply and demand, but for the sake of brevity I will only discuss one of them and how it relates to God’s promise.
If demand increases and supply remains unchanged, a shortage occurs, leading to a higher equilibrium price.
We have many demands on a daily basis; air, clothing, water, shelter, basic foods and nutrients. On an emotional and spiritual level we have a demand for love, acceptance, tolerance, growth, nurturing, and so forth. Paul says he is ‘amply’ supplied (plerah-o > made full) in verse 18. He has everything he needs, without want for anything else. Of course he could think of things he could use or that would make life more comfortable, but he is content because Christ has given him the strength to get by (4:11-13). He then makes the point that God has used the church and Epaphroditus to fulfill his needs. Finally, in verse 19 he tells us that God will ‘amply’ supply (plerah-o >made full) all of our needs, not with the left overs, but according to, His riches in the glory of Christ Jesus. “And one called out to another and said, “Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord of hosts, The fullness of the whole earth is His glory.”” (Isaiah 6:3) The supply that God has to meet our demands is everlasting and unbounded. Physically, God owns the entire earth and will use it to bless His people, and spiritually, the blessings which are in Christ are at our full disposal.
God has set the church up in such a way that those who have need will, and should be, supplied by those who have, to give. We can find practical ways to help, whether it’s on a daily basis, or month by month. One of the great joys Brianna and I share together is supporting a student going through preaching school. Supplying someone’s needs does not have to be relegated to giving money. Maybe, you put together a basket of toiletries or daily kitchen needs for someone. We all know how expensive those things can be when it’s all added up. I am very encouraged by the generosity shown through the giving of time, expertise, advice, love, monetary contribution, but most of all the giving of one’s self that I see at the Lake Oconee church of Christ where I am blessed to preach and assist in leading the family.
“Not that I seek the gift itself, but I seek for the profit which increases to your account.”
Philippians 4:17
Philippians 4:18–19
Imagine. You’ve been imprisoned for telling the truth. You’ve been beaten with rods. Stoned countless times. You were shipwrecked, saved the lives of everyone on the ship, and still taken before numerous courts. Your life is constantly being threatened. Yet, you still have the understanding and wherewithal of life and eternity to say, “I am amply supplied.” Paul was a man of great faith. In the bleakest of circumstances he saw through the muck and the ill-treatment, and saw the abundance Christ had provided for him through the generosity of the church through Epaphroditus. ”And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”
God has made us a promise of supply. Today, I want to discuss God’s promise of supply based on our needs, or you might say, demand. I’m sure you’ve heard the phrase ‘supply and demand.’ There are four basic rules of supply and demand, but for the sake of brevity I will only discuss one of them and how it relates to God’s promise.
If demand increases and supply remains unchanged, a shortage occurs, leading to a higher equilibrium price.
We have many demands on a daily basis; air, clothing, water, shelter, basic foods and nutrients. On an emotional and spiritual level we have a demand for love, acceptance, tolerance, growth, nurturing, and so forth. Paul says he is ‘amply’ supplied (plerah-o > made full) in verse 18. He has everything he needs, without want for anything else. Of course he could think of things he could use or that would make life more comfortable, but he is content because Christ has given him the strength to get by (4:11-13). He then makes the point that God has used the church and Epaphroditus to fulfill his needs. Finally, in verse 19 he tells us that God will ‘amply’ supply (plerah-o >made full) all of our needs, not with the left overs, but according to, His riches in the glory of Christ Jesus. “And one called out to another and said, “Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord of hosts, The fullness of the whole earth is His glory.”” (Isaiah 6:3) The supply that God has to meet our demands is everlasting and unbounded. Physically, God owns the entire earth and will use it to bless His people, and spiritually, the blessings which are in Christ are at our full disposal.
God has set the church up in such a way that those who have need will, and should be, supplied by those who have, to give. We can find practical ways to help, whether it’s on a daily basis, or month by month. One of the great joys Brianna and I share together is supporting a student going through preaching school. Supplying someone’s needs does not have to be relegated to giving money. Maybe, you put together a basket of toiletries or daily kitchen needs for someone. We all know how expensive those things can be when it’s all added up. I am very encouraged by the generosity shown through the giving of time, expertise, advice, love, monetary contribution, but most of all the giving of one’s self that I see at the Lake Oconee church of Christ where I am blessed to preach and assist in leading the family.
“Not that I seek the gift itself, but I seek for the profit which increases to your account.”
Philippians 4:17
No comments:
Post a Comment