Philippians 4:19 And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.

This verse is widely quoted, with a variety of motives. Sadly, one of those motives is self-centered greed, but it actually doesn’t apply there at all. In context, the Philippian believers were obviously following what Jesus said about seeking first God’s kingdom and His righteousness in Matthew 6:33, so what He said there about God meeting needs was fully applicable. Paul wasn’t being original here! Another, often overlooked factor is that of what we actually need. A lot of people try to claim this verse in relation to their wants, rather than asking God what their true needs are. God isn’t stingy in the least, but some of the things on our “wish lists,” far from being things we need, would actually be bad for us. We are to rest in the assurance of God’s supply for our needs, but not get grabby about all the things the devil and the world dangle in front of us.

I have used this verse as part of my faith declarations for many years, and I have certainly found it to be true. At the same time, I have had to learn the difference between needs and wants, or even appetites. Just because I want something doesn’t mean that God is in any way obligated to give it to me. There have been moments when it has seemed like God had failed me, but they were simply to test my faith and teach me to place Him first in my heart and mind. I can’t say that I don’t have twinges of wondering where the money is going to come from, but God has given me every reason to rest, relax, and rejoice in Him. I have never had a huge bank balance, but if I did, I’m all too confident my focus on God as my supply would be dulled. I am all too prone to rely on what God has already provided, rather than seek Him each moment for whatever is necessary for what He wants me to do, whether that necessity is money, wisdom, or anything else. Japanese car manufacturers were NOT the ones to come up with the “just in time” supply chain! I am to focus on doing what God tells me, rather than on whatever I think I will get out of that activity. My job is obedience; rewards are His territory.

Father, thank You for this reminder. Thank You for the past three weeks with our younger daughter Ann here. Thank You for bringing everything into line for her return to her family today. I do pray that the bus ride, the flights and the layovers would be as pleasant as possible, and that she would get over jet lag promptly, “hitting the ground running” with her family, her church music ministry on Sunday, and her job from Monday morning. Thank You for her desire to bless her parents, and for the considerable effort and trouble she went to in order to do so. I ask You to reward her abundantly for this in every way, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!