GOD WILL SUPPLY YOUR NEED

" And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus." (Phil 4:19, NKJV)

HERE IS ONE OF THE GREAT statements of Scripture. Throughout the centuries it has nourished believers, clarifying God's love for them. Notice the personal nature of the text: "MY God . . . YOUR need." At first, the reading may seem peculiar. Why not say, "Your God will supply your need?" First, Paul is speaking from his own experience, as well as from inspiration. It is as though he said, "God has supplied all of my need, and He will also supply all of yours." In other words, this is the manner of the Kingdom, for God to provide what we need. He does not say "My God CAN supply all of your need," but that He "shall."

THIS IS LANGUAGE ADDRESSED TO FAITH. Paul is in prison, Epaphroditus has been sick, and the Philippians were being opposed by adversaries (Phil 1:28-29). From a fleshly viewpoint, it appeared as though resources were drying up, and NEED was growing in an exponential way. However, the child of God does not entertain such a view of things, even though tempted to do so. That is why Paul speaks to their faith, confirming that earthly circumstances have had no effect whatsoever on the great salvation they are enjoying.

NOTICE, "NEED" IS IN THE SINGULAR, NOT THE PLURAL. Although the NASB and NIV translate this "needs," it is actually in the singular. The word "need" refers more to a condition than to specific requirements or needs; i.e., they are in need. The words "lack" and "want" describe what is meant – without the necessities of life. For example, Paul has already testified that he had learned HOW to "suffer need" (Phil 4:12). There are times when, according to appearance, the necessities of life run out, and no hope or supply is evident.

SUCH OCCASIONS ARE SEEN in the accounts of Elijah in the time of famine, and Jacob and his sons during grievous famine (1 Kings 17:1-6; Gen 42:1-5). Our fathers Abraham and Isaac also endured in the time of famine (Gen 12:10; 26:1). In these cases, the people of God experienced "need" – a lack of life's necessities. It is God's manner to provide for His people IN such times.

WHEN THE SPIRIT SAYS "God shall SUPPLY," He does not speak of meager provision. The text itself confirms this, for the supply comes from "His RICHES." The word "supply" means to make replete, to cram, level up a hollow, or satisfy, and fill up (Strong's). It is pictured in words of our Lord Jesus to those who expended their resources for Him. "Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom" (Lk 6:38). This is exactly the sense in which our text is written. The Philippians had "given" to Paul, and now God would give back to them in abundant measure. Paul had given to them, and God had supplied his need through the Philippians. This is the manner of the Kingdom!

OUR TEXT CONFIRMS THIS IS NOT SOMETHING EXCEPTIONAL, intended only for Apostles or certain churches. Sometimes God allows His people to be reduced to a state of "need," in order that He might lavish an abundance upon them. It is no wonder Jesus said, "And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind. For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things" (Lk 12:29-30). Let us frequently remind one another of the goodness of our God–that he WILL supply ALL of our need!

" . . . ACCORDING TO HIS RICHES in glory by Christ Jesus" KJV. From the dawn of human history, Satan has sought to convince men God is withholding from them. To Eve he said, "For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil" (Gen 3:5) – as though God was taking something precious from her. To this very day, there are those who imagine coming into Christ begins a life of restriction, where enjoyable things are withheld, and we must live in misery. But this is a gross misrepresentation of the case. In Christ, we come into the realm of "riches," "abundance," and exceeding greatness. That this is not "riches" as defined by the world is evident in the next clause.

"HIS RICHES IN GLORY" refer to the Divine repository from which the supplies are dispensed. Romans 9:23 affirms that "the riches of His glory" are reserved for the "vessels of mercy." Ephesians 3:16 reminds us we are strengthened within by those very "riches." The idea is that when the Living God fastens His attention upon an individual, it is not possible for that person to suffer true need. Just as it is not possible for the sun to rise to its zenith and darkness still prevail, so it is not possible for God to surround us with His Presence and need remain. That is why the Psalmist cried, "Look upon mine affliction and my pain" (Psa 25:18), and "Look Thou upon me, and be merciful unto me, as Thou usest to do unto those that love Thy name" (Psa 119:132).

– Given O. Blakely