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January 31, 2010
Philippians 4:19-20

19 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.

20 Now all glory to God our Father forever and ever! Amen.

Philippians 4:19-20 (NLT)


Truth is, I can’t even remember when I learned verse 19. My dad taught it to me at such an early age that it got into the groundwater of my thinking. It’s one of the Bible’s most awesome promises.

First, a little background. The church at Philippi, although not a wealthy church, had a history of deep generosity. In 2 Corinthians 8:1, Paul shames a wealthy church by holding up the people of Philippi as an example, pointing out that even in extreme poverty, they generously gave to fund God’s work.

For Paul, it was personal. We just saw in verse 16 of this chapter that the Philippian church was the only church to help Paul in a financial way as he carried on his missionary work. And they did it not only once, but twice. You can imagine how humbled Paul must have been by this. It would have been one thing to be helped by rich people, but by people barely eking out a living?

When you read this verse, it’s as if Paul is saying, “I’d like to pay you back, but you know I can’t. All I have is what you gave me. But it’s okay. My God will pay you back out of his riches.” Or maybe he was saying it like this. “I can’t pay you back because I’m flat broke. But it’s better that way because God will pay you back out of his GLORIOUS RICHES.”

This is a promise for generous people. It is a massive promise.

I challenge you to think about it all day today. And as you do, I’d recommend three words/phrases that have always stood out to me. Here they are:
1.  God
2.  All your needs
3.  His glorious riches
 

A Thankful Thought


I am thankful for my Connection Group. When I moved here, I didn't really know anyone, and I was nervous about being in such a big church. The friends I've made in my group are amazing, and are always there for me! No matter how tired I am, I look forward to being with them on Sunday nights. They not only are a ton of fun to be around, but they also have helped encourage me to grow spiritually. They have helped me through the good and the bad times, and I thank God He brought them into my life! 

A NewSpring Staff Member

 


Your Comments

1

Dennis Stephan | January 31, 2010 at 05.16 pm

When I think of the three phrases and think also of Mark’s message Saturday evening, I see a world that focuses on money and not on God, all my needs (not wants)and His glorious riches. Those glorious riches are vastly more wonderful than money and yet we spend so much time in the pursuit of more and more. This pursuit results in less happiness and still more want. If we focus on the glorious riches of God, there is no want. We have all we need in an eternity with Him. What else could be better?


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