But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.—Phil. 4:19
This is one of the verses that has sustained me over many years and through many hard trials. It is a tremendous truth, a precious promise, and an awesome assurance. And God has never failed to deliver what I needed when I needed it. And He isn’t through.
God never gives all He has to give. Regardless of how much He gives more remains–the storehouse of His grace never lessens! His supply is never depleted. We receive “according to His riches”, not “out of”. regardless of how much He gives there is always more. He has no less today than He did when He spoke the world into existence. God’s goods are infinite and inexhaustible. He is the one and only Self-sufficient God who never lacks. His supply is never exhausted and His concern never wanes. Whatever your need, He knows, He cares and He can help. The One who has no need is committed to meeting your needs.
However, although God is a gracious giver He is not a foolish Father. He gives what we need not what we want. We cannot take this promise out of context and apply it indiscriminately. This promise does not allow for foolish and frivolous spending, nor to non-Christians or disobedient Christians. It is conditional upon our obedience to His commands. This promise was given to kind generous Christians who met Paul’s needs. The Philippians were obedient in their obligation to God and His servants– thus the precious promise. God meets the needs of those who meet needs.
Notice also that this applies to “all your need”, not just certain ones. There are no exceptions. Whether the need is physical, material, emotional, or spiritual, God “is able to do exceeding abundantly above all we ask or think–“(Eph. 3:20). There is no need God can’t meet. But, remember this, although this promise pertains to every need it does not apply to every person. Only a child of God in the will of God can claim this promise from God. If that describes you, you can put your head on your pillow tonight and rest assured that you are being cared for by the Greatest Giver–God Himself. Meet His conditions and He shall supply “all” your need. Our response to this glorious truth should be the same as Paul’s when he gave this great doxology, “Now unto God and our Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen”! (Phil. 4:20). Make that your chief concern and you can live with confidence that God will take care for you–regardless of circumstances.
