Seems like I'm always in need of something. I guess maybe I should say I'm always in "want" of something. Most of my basic needs are met on a daily basis. Although many of the things I think I need are probably just wants in disguise or because I've gotten myself in a predicament that have turned my wants into real needs.
V.19 of today's passage is so encouraging. God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches. YE-AH. Sounds good. Here's the list God, now do your stuff. I'm waiting. And oh by the way, here's how I'd like you to do it. I have a need, I rub the genie lamp and out God pops grant my wish.
Actually, that's not quite how it works. Many of God's promises are tied to conditions. For example, to receive salvation, God requires repentance and surrender. In other words, to get eternal life you have to give Him your life. Jesus said if you want to be first, you put yourself last (Mk. 9). If you want to be great, you have to become a servant (Mt.20). If you want to be forgiven, you have to forgive others (Mt. 6). In Lk. 6, Jesus says give and it will be given to you.
The implication in this text is that because the Philippian church eagerly and sacrificially met Paul's needs on a regular basis, God would take care of their needs. Paul met their spiritual needs by giving his life freely to them. Consequently, they fulfilled Paul's financial and personal needs.
It would seem that our willingness to meet other's needs is a prerequisite for God meeting our needs. If I'm a stingy, selfish person, why would God extend His riches to me? If all I do is sit around focusing on me and exacerbate my own needs by poor decisions or willful disobedience, why would God intervene in my life? Maybe the solution to your needs is simply to start giving to others, to be sensitive to the needs of others, to extend yourself to minister to others. You're misinformed if you think God's going to be your personal butler.
God, I've never wanted to be a taker in life. I know that sometimes I do serve myself over others. Use me to be a vessel to care for others. I know that as I open myself up to your service, you'll keep me supplied. I want to be a blessing to others. I want people to be amazed at your glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
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