Philippians 4:19-23

AND MY GOD SHALL SUPPLY ALL YOUR NEEDS: o de theos mou plerosei (3SFAO) pasan chreian humon: (2Sam 22:7; 2 Chr 18:13; Neh 5:19; Da 6:22; Mic 7:7; Jn 20:17,27; Ro 1:8; 2 Co 12:21; Phile 1:4) (Macarthur on Php4:14-19) (supply Ge 48:15; Dt 8:3,4; Neh 9:15; Ps 23:1-5; 41:1-3; 84:11; 112:5-9; Pr 3:9,10; 11:24,25; Mal 3:10; Lu 12:30-33; 2Co 9:8-11)

"And my God shall fulfill all your necessities" (Geneva)

"My God will richly fill your every need" (GWT)

"But my God shall satisfy to the full your every need" (Wuest)

"And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs" (NLT)

The KJV Commentary writes...

The Philippians had met Paul’s need out of their poverty by Epaphroditus; God will meet their need out of His riches by Christ Jesus. (Dobson, E G, Charles Feinberg, E Hindson, Woodrow Kroll, H L. Wilmington: KJV Bible Commentary: Nelson)

Don't yank this verse out of context and apply it indiscriminately. Such amazing generosity does not allow for foolish and frivolous spending on our part while at the same time we consider God is responsible for necessities! Rather, because the Philippians had been so generous in their Christian giving, God would meet their needs as well. (see Jesus' promise of the Father's intimate care of His children's needs in the notes on the Sermon on the Mount Matthew 6:25-26, Matthew 6:27-29, Matthew 6:30-32, Matthew 6:33-34 )

Commenting on the phrase "my God" Eadie writes that

"my God, so honoured and so pleased with your gift to me, will supply all your need. I who receive your contribution can only thank you, but my God Who accepts the sacrifice will nobly reward you. You have supplied one element of my need, but my God will supply every need of yours...The apostle uses the simple future (tense), as if he pledged himself for God; for he felt most assured, that God as his God would act as he promised in His name."

Vine writes that

"the possessive pronoun (my) here suggests that while he could not do all that he would like to do for these, who had ministered on his behalf, his God would see to it."

The value of a promise depends entirely upon the one making the promise. "My God" is faithful to His promise and will never let you down. Paul could not repay the Philippians, but God could and would.

J M Boice asks the important application question:

“Is He your God? If He is not your God, if you have never come to Him through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, the promises of God’s care in the Bible are not for you. On the other hand, if you do believe in Him and wish to obey Him, you will find Him strong in your need. You will find Him entirely and consistently faithful” (Philippians, p. 258).

Paul is saying

“You met my need, and God is going to meet your need. You met one need that I have, but my God will meet all of your needs. You gave out of your poverty, but God will supply your needs out of His riches in glory!”

Paul is reminding

"his benefactors that "his" God ("my God") will do what he himself is in no position to do namely, reimburse his benefactors. This assurance of the divine supply of the Philippians' needs implies that they had given so liberally that they actually left themselves in some real "need." (Expositor's)

"Shall supply" (4137 needs according riches glory) (liberally supply) (pleroo) means to be filled to the brim, to make complete in every particular, to cause to abound, to furnish or supply liberally, to flood or to diffuse throughout, to pervade. Note that some translations suggest this verse is a prayer (eg, the Contemporary English Version has "I pray that God will take care of all your needs...") but most versions do not hold to that view.

Barnes paraphrases this verse as

"You have shown your regard for me as a friend of God, by sending to me in my distress, and I have confidence that, in return for all this, God will supply all your needs, when you are in circumstances of necessity." (Barnes)

All (3956) (pas) without exception or “every” need is a comprehensive description covering all kinds of need. Paul emphasized the all inclusiveness in the Corinthian letter writing that

"God is able to make all grace abound to you, that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed as it is written, "HE SCATTERED ABROAD, HE GAVE TO THE POOR, HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS ABIDES FOREVER." Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food, will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness, you will be enriched in everything for all liberality, which through us is producing thanksgiving to God." (2Cor 9:8-11)

Needs (5532) (chreia from chréos = debt) necessities or that that which should happen or be supplied because it is needed. Note that Paul says the promise is to meet needs not their "greeds" and all of their wishes, wants, or whims. Men have physical needs, mental needs, social needs, economic needs. These needs are temporal, but spiritual and eternal because all men need perpetual pardon, perpetual peace, and perpetual power. All would be supplied to the saints at Philippi!

Jesus reminds busy Martha (and all of us) that

only a few things are necessary (chreia), really only one, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her. (Lu 10:42)

Paul says that practical sanctification shows itself in

contributing to the needs (chreia) of the saints, practicing hospitality. (see note Romans 12:13)

hose who freely give (like the Philippians) will also receive--not their wants, but all they need for their service for Christ. The world's richest person was Jesus, Who had no place to sleep (Mt 8:20). He shared the Heavenly Father's unlimited resources. We can, too, if we dedicate all we have to Him.

Dwight Pentecost offers an important caveat writing that...

The promise that, “My God shall supply all your need.” presupposes obedience. To claim the fulfillment of the promise without giving obedience to God is presumptuous. It shows a lack of faith...The Philippians were obedient. They were obedient to the Gospel, they were obedient to the demands of love for the apostle, and they were obedient in their obligation to God’s servant. Because of their obedience the apostle can say categorically to them, “I realize that in your poverty you gave and that you are reduced to dire want, but my God shall supply your needs because they arose out of obedience.” It is foolish to think you can squander what God has given you on yourself and then expect Him to step in and meet your need. (Pentecost, J. D. The Joy of Living: A Study of Philippians. Kregel Publications)

Solomon exhorts us to

"Honor the LORD from your wealth, and from the first of all your produce, so your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine." (Pr 3:9,10)

And again he says

"There is one who scatters, yet increases all the more, and there is one who withholds what is justly due, but it results only in want. The generous man will be prosperous, and he who waters will himself be watered." (Pr 11:24,25)

Although in context God was speaking to Israel in the following verse, the principle applies that God's people have the responsibility to support the work of God, rather than to heap luxuries on themselves. Thus God tells Israel to

"Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and test Me now in this," says the LORD of hosts, "if I will not open for you the windows of heaven, and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows." (Mal 3:10)

Barnes has a practical comment noting God supplying all their needs

does not mean that the Philippians would now be justified in becoming lazy. "God's word does not advocate fanaticism, nor does it say that one should throw his pocketbook into the nearest river and then announce that he is going to live by faith" (Tenney). To be sure, God was taking care of Paul, but one of the ways in which he was doing so was exemplified by the gift from Philippi.

Calvin writes that the saints at Philippi

had...been truly sowing in the Lord's field, from which a sure and abundant harvest might be expected. Nor does he promise them merely a reward in the future life, but even in respect of the necessities of the present life: "Do not think that you have impoverished yourselves; God, whom I serve, will abundantly furnish you with everything necessary for you.

F B Meyer cautions that

we must distinguish between our needs and our desires. It is possible to want a good many things which we do not need. We often want things which it would injure us greatly to have. Paul wanted to be delivered from his thorn, but his real need was for more grace. We want a great many things which it is not possible for our Heavenly Father to give us, except to the great detriment of our best life. There is no promise that God shall supply all our desires or wishes, there is a certainty that He will fulfill all our need. Some may read these words whose needs are clamant (crying, beseeching), the need for guidance, for help against temptation, for the quickening of languishing devotional life, the need for daily bread or employment. Let all such take this to their heart for their comfort that God will supply all their need. (Commentary on Philippians)

KJV Commentary has an excellent summation of this section writing

We see first of all in this verse a great need. God promises to meet all of their need, not all of their wishes, wants, or whims. Men have physical needs, mental needs, social needs, economic needs. Men have not only temporal needs, but spiritual and eternal needs. Men need perpetual pardon, perpetual peace, and perpetual power. Secondly, we see in this verse a great helper. Paul says But my God. Paul could not repay the Philippians, but God could and would. Paul does not say my God can supply all your needs, but my God shall supply all your needs. This was Paul’s personal testimony and confession of faith. We see next a great Supplier. There is a total supply for a total need. God’s supply is infinite, abundant, inexhaustible, limitless, boundless. God many times uses the agencies of men to meet our needs. Next we see great resources. God’s riches in glory. Paul says according to his riches, not out of His riches, not off the top. God’s supply is not according to our deserts, but according to His mercy; not out of debt, but out of grace; not according to our emptiness, but according to His fullness; not according to our poverty, but according to His wealth. God has great riches. Lastly, look at the great and glorious channel by Christ Jesus. “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time” (1Ti 2:5–6). There is no other Mediator; there is no other channel. With such precious truth before us there can only be concurrence with the past, contentment with the present, and confidence for the future. " (Dobson, E G, Charles Feinberg, E Hindson, Woodrow Kroll, H L. Wilmington: KJV Bible Commentary: Nelson)

ACCORDING TO HIS RICHES IN GLORY IN CHRIST JESUS: kata to ploutos autou en doxe en Christo Iesou: (Ps 36:8; 104:24; 130:7; Ro 9:23; 11:33; Ep 1:7,18; 2:7; 3:8,16; Col 1:27; 3:16; 1Ti 6:17) (glory Ro 8:18; 2 Co 4:17; 1 Th 2:12; 1 Pe 5:1,10)

According to (2596) (kata) reveals the extent to which God would supply the Philippians’ needs.

According to (kata) which is not the same as "out of" His riches. If I am a billionaire and I give you ten dollars, I have given you out of my riches; but if I give you a million dollars, I have given to you according to my riches. The first is a portion; the second is a proportion. The first would take it out of His riches, & would be like Mr. Rockefeller who used to give his caddy a dime. God gives in proportion to His infinite and inexhaustible riches!

Spurgeon comments...

“You have supplied my need out of your poverty; my God shall supply all your need out of his riches. Your greatest need shall not exceed the liberality of his supplies.”

In his sermon on Philippians 4:19 entitled A New Year's Wish Spurgeon adds that...

His riches in glory”... means not only the riches of what He has done, but the riches of what He could do; for if He has made hosts of worlds, He could make as many myriads more, and then have but begun. The possibilities of God omnipotent, who shall reckon? But the Lord shall supply all your need according to such glorious possibilities. When a great king gives according to his, riches, then he does not measure out stinted alms to beggars, but he gives like a king, as we say; and if it be some grand festival day, and the king is in his state array, his largesse is on a noble scale. Now, when God is in His glory, bethink you, if you can, what must be the largesse that He distributes,-what the treasures that He brings forth for His own beloved! Now, “according to His riches in glory,” He will supply all your needs. After that, dare you despond? O soul, what insanity is unbelief? What flagrant blasphemy is doubt of the love of God! He must bless us; and, blessed by Him, we must be blest indeed. If He is to supply our needs “according to His riches in glory,” they will be supplied to the full. (Amen!)

Riches (4149) (ploutos) literally can refer to material prosperity or riches. Figuratively ploutos refers to spiritual abundance or prosperity. Ploutos refers to a high point on any scale with the implication of value as well as abundance. God's storehouse will never go bankrupt for He who own everything and has abundant fullness has an inexhaustible ability to supply their needs.

The KJV Commentary draws our focus to His...

great resources. God’s riches in glory. Paul says according to His riches, not out of His riches, not off the top. God’s supply is not according to our deserts, but according to His mercy; not out of debt, but out of grace; not according to our emptiness, but according to His fullness; not according to our poverty, but according to His wealth. God has great riches. (Dobson, E G, Charles Feinberg, E Hindson, Woodrow Kroll, H L. Wilmington: KJV Bible Commentary: Nelson) (Bolding added)

Vine writes regarding "according to His riches in glory"...

that is, in accordance with His infinite and exhaustless fullness. This fullness is in the heavenly sphere, where His attributes and power are in unceasing manifestation, as emanating from His own person. This glory shines into the hearts and lives of His people, expressing to and in them all that centers in Himself. (Vine, W. Collected writings of W. E. Vine. Nashville: Thomas Nelson)

A T Robertson adds that

"God has an abundant treasure in glory and will repay the Philippians for what they have done for Paul. The spiritual reward is what spurs men into the ministry and holds them to it."

In Christ Jesus - (See related studies on In Christ and in Christ Jesus) This phrase emphasizes the Source and Channel of all riches.

Writing to Timothy Paul declared that...

there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony borne at the proper time. (1Timothy 2:5-6)

In Christ Jesus, God gives enough grace to meet whatever we face. Our needs can never exhaust His supply for Paul explains in Colossians that in Christ "are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." (see note Colossians 2:3)

Williams (in Student's Commentary) calls Philippians 4:19 a note drawn upon the bank of faith:

My God—the name of the Banker.

Shall supply—the promise to pay.

All your need—the value of the note.

According to His riches—the capital of the bank.

In glory—the address of the bank.

By Christ Jesus—the signature at the foot, without which the note is worthless

Have you ever heard the false statement "God helps those who help themselves." The real truth is brought out in this verse:

"God helps those who cannot help themselves!"

How easy it is to take this verse out of context and use it as a soft pillow for Christians who are squandering their money on themselves with seldom a thought for the work of God!

“That’s all right. God will supply all your need.”

While it is true in a general sense that God does supply the needs of His people, this is a specific promise that those who are faithful and devoted in their giving to Christ will never suffer lack.

The famous missionary to China, Hudson Taylor, wrote

"It matters little to my servant whether I send him to buy a few cash worth of things, or the most expensive articles. In either case he looks to me for the money and brings me his purchases. So, if God should place me in serious perplexity, must He not give me much guidance; in positions of great difficulty, much grace; in circumstances of great pressure and trial, much strength? No fear that His resources will prove unequal to the emergency! And His resources are mine, for He is mine, and is with me and dwells in me."

When God leads He provides. Hudson Taylor observed,

God’s work, done in God’s way, will receive God’s supply

Our God hasn’t changed. When the child of God is in the will of God, serving for the glory of God, then he will have every need met.

As Paul closes this letter, he again affirms the centrality of Christ Jesus as the Source of every spiritual blessing and benefit from God. The preposition in emphasizes the essential nature of the believer's personal union with God through Christ and that it is via this dynamic union that God will supply every need.

So wonderful is the truth of v19 that Paul cannot refrain from breaking forth with a doxology of praise in the next verse. All saints should continually show a similar response to the incalculable riches bestowed upon us in Christ Jesus.

Think back over the past few days. Has the Lord taken care of some minor needs in your life? Has He solved some nagging problem? Thank Him! As today unfolds, remember that He provides the little things too.

"If you can't be happy with what you already have, why should God trust you with anything else?" Good question. Far too many people go through life chronically unhappy with their circumstances. Yet in every situation we have whatever we need to be content (if not happy). When we focus on material things, we will often feel frustrated, but when we focus on the Lord, we can rejoice that what we have can never be taken from us.

A classic illustration of the truth of this Scripture comes from the life of George Muller (Online biography).

Things looked bleak for the children of George Muller’s orphanage at Ashley Downs in England. It was time for breakfast, and there was no food. A small girl whose father was a close friend of Muller was visiting in the home. Muller took her hand and said,

“Come and see what our Father will do.”

In the dining room, long tables were set with empty plates and empty mugs. Not only was there no food in the kitchen, but there was no money in the home’s account. Muller prayed,

“Dear Father, we thank Thee for what Thou art going to give us to eat.”

Immediately, they heard a knock at the door. When they opened it, there stood the local baker.

“Mr. Muller,” he said, “I couldn’t sleep last night. Somehow I felt you had no bread for breakfast, so I got up at 2 o’clock and baked fresh bread. Here it is.”

Muller thanked him and gave praise to God. Soon, a second knock was heard. It was the milkman. His cart had broken down in front of the orphanage. He said he would like to give the children the milk so he could empty the cart and repair it.

Eadie comments that in Christ Jesus...

designates the sphere of God's action. In Christ Jesus will He supply their wants, or from the fulness in Him, His merit and mediation being the ground of it. What a glorious promise for the apostle to make on God's behalf to them!—a perfect supply for every want of body or soul, for time or eternity, for earth or heaven. If man is but a mass of wants, wants for this world and wants for the world to come, and if God alone can supply them, what confidence should not such a pledge produce? Is it physical fare?—He heareth “the young ravens” when they cry. Is it the forgiveness of sin? —He “delighteth in mercy.” Is it purification of soul?— His Spirit produces His own image. Is it courage?—He is “Jehovah-Nissi.” Is it enlightenment?—His words are, “I will instruct thee.” Is it the hope of glory?—Then it is, “Christ in you.” Is it preparation for heaven?—He makes “us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light.” Is it contentment in any circumstance?—All things may be done in the strength of Christ. Nor was it rash in Paul to make such a promise, nor did he exceed his commission. He did not speak without a warrant. He knew the character of his God, and did not take his name in vain, for his varied and prolonged experience had fully informed him, and he was assured that the state of heart in the Philippian church must attract towards it the blessing. Would God resile (withdraw) from His servant's pledge, or act as if in thus vouching for Him he had taken too much upon him?"

F B Meyer comments that

Christ is God's Answer to Our Need. "

In Him are all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge hidden.

It pleased the Father that in Him should all the fulness dwell.

In Him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.

The Divine-Human nature of Christ is replete with every possible supply for His people.

He filleth all in all.

Those that trust Him can say, as the Apostle did of the Philippian gifts, "I have all things and abound; I am filled, hating received from Christ the things that came from God, and which were treasured in Him for my enrichment and thanksgiving." The teaching of the Apostle is full of this thought, as when he says, "I thank my God always concerning you, for the grace of God which was given you in Christ Jesus; that in everything ye were enriched in Him" (1Co 1:4-5), and again, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who hath blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ" (see note Ephesians 1:3). Peter also affirms the same thought.

Grace to you, and peace be multiplied in the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord; seeing that His Divine power hath granted unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness" (see notes 2 Peter 1:2; 1:3).

Christ is the complement i.e. the complement of every soul. Just as the dark face of the moon taken with her first crescent of light makes a complete circle, so the unseen Redeemer together with our infinite need makes a complete man after God's stature. The greater our deficiency the larger His supply.

The Prime Necessity. The prime necessity, however, is that we should reckon it is so, and avail ourselves of all the treasures that are prepared for our use in our Risen Lord. Too often we act as if we had to meet the demands of life from our own limited exchequer, instead of believing that we have been taken into partnership with the Son of God, and can at any moment draw upon His all-sufficiency. What would you think if a clerk, who was sent to a distant land to open a branch of some great business firm, were to seek to meet the expenses out of his own limited salary, when the head of the firm had told him to draw upon his credit to any extent which he deemed necessary? But we make the same mistake when we meet the calls of life apart from the boundless wealth which is placed to our credit in Jesus.

A story is told by Dr. Richard Newton of an old and poverty-stricken Indian, who many years ago made his way into a Western settlement in search of food to keep him from starving. A bright-coloured ribbon was seen around his neck, from which there hung a small, dirty pouch. On being asked what it was, he said it was a charm given him in his younger days. He opened it, and took out a worn and Crumpled paper, which he handed to the person making the inspection. It proved, on examination, to be a regular discharge from the federal army, signed by George Washington himself, and entitling him to a pension for life. Here was a man with a promise duly signed, which if presented in the right place would have secured him ample provision, yet he was wandering about hungry, helpless, and forlorn, and begging bread to keep him from starving.

What a picture of many Christians who are in need of everything when they might be rich and full! Perhaps their own life had not been generous, certainly their faith has never put in its claim to God's great bank of promise. (Commentary on Philippians)

Spurgeon has the following devotional entitled Limitless Riches...

PAUL’S God is our God, and He will supply all our need. Paul felt sure of this in reference to the Philippians, and we feel sure of it as to ourselves. God will do it, for it is like Him: He loves us, He delights to bless us, and it will glorify Him to do so. His pity, His power, His love, His faithfulness, all work together that we be not famished. What a measure doth the Lord go by: “According to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” The riches of His grace are large, but what shall we say of the riches of His glory? His “riches of glory by Christ Jesus,” who shall form an estimate of this? According to this immeasurable measure will God fill up the immense abyss of our necessities. He makes the Lord Jesus the receptacle and the channel of His fullness, and then He imparts to us His wealth of love in its highest form. Hallelujah! The writer knows what it is to be tried in the work of the Lord. Fidelity has been recompensed with anger, and liberal givers have stopped their subscriptions. But he whom they sought to oppress has not been one penny the poorer; nay, rather he has been the richer, for this promise has been true, “My God shall supply all our need.” God’s supplies are surer than any bank. (Faith's Checkbook)

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The saying "You can never out give God" may be doubted by overanxious or tightfisted people. But Paul's letter to the Philippian believers fully supports this saying. Having just received their generous gifts to meet his needs in prison, he assured them that because of their generosity God wouldn't allow them to suffer undue need. He told them, "My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus" (Phil. 4:19). God's people have relied on the truth of those words ever since.

To help us place our trust more confidently in this promise of God, someone has put Philippians 4:19 in terms we can all understand:

"My God [the bank] shall supply [the check] all your need [the amount] according to His riches in glory [the capital] by Christ Jesus [the signature]."

As with any valid check that we have received, we need only endorse God's check through our "signature of faith" and it will be paid in full. As long as we're willing to be content with much or little, as Paul was (v.12), we can dare to be generous people. Only then will we discover for ourselves that we can never out give our rich and generous God. (Our Daily Bread)

God's riches fill up our supply,
Whatever we may need,
So we can then be generous
And not controlled by greed. --Sper

God gives freely to us so that we can give freely to others.

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Winds Of Love - A farmer had a weather vane on his barn, on which was written "God is love." When friends asked why, the farmer said, "This is to remind me that no matter which way the wind blows, God is love."

When the warm "south wind" with its soothing and balmy breezes brings showers of blessing, God is love.

"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above" (James 1:17)

When the cold "north wind" of trial and testing sweeps down upon you, God is love.

"All things work together for good to those who love God" (Romans 8:28)

When the "west wind" blows hard upon you with its punishing intent, God is love.

"Whom the Lord loves He chastens" (Hebrews 12:6)

When the "east wind" threatens to sweep away all that you have, God is love.

"God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory" (Philippians 4:19)

Perhaps you are discouraged and downhearted. If so, remember, God still cares for you. What you are experiencing has either been sent or it has been allowed by Him for your good.

Yes, no matter which way the wind is blowing, God is love. —Richard De Haan (Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved)

God is love: His mercy brightens
All the path in which we rove;
Bliss He wakes and woe He lightens—
God is wisdom, God is love. —Bowring

No affliction would trouble us if we knew God’s reason for permitting it.

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Faith & Riches - Do you want to be rich? Do you think your faith will bring you riches? What kind of riches are you looking for?

There's good news and bad news if wealth is what you want. The good news is that God's Word does promise riches to the believer. The "bad" news is that it doesn't have anything to do with money.

Here are some examples of the riches that can be ours as believers in Jesus Christ:

An understanding of God the Father and the Son, "in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" (see notes Colossians 2:2; 2:3).

Christ, "the hope of glory," living in us (see note Colossians 1:27).

Mighty strength in our inner being, "through His Spirit" (see note Ephesians 3:16).

Having all our needs met by God (see note Philippians 4:19).

The "wisdom and knowledge of God" (see note Romans 11:33).

"Redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins," which comes from God's grace (see note Ephesians 1:7).

Yes, God's Word promises us great riches—treasures that we cannot even attempt to purchase with any amount of money. It is these riches that we must seek, enjoy, and use to glorify their source—our heavenly Father.—Dave Branon (Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved)

The treasures of earth are not mine,
I hold not its silver and gold;
But a treasure far greater is mine;
I have riches of value untold. —Hartzler

God's Word promises riches that money cannot buy.

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WHEN THIS GETS ALL - We had thoroughly enjoyed the meeting in Altoona, Pennsylvania, and the privilege of greeting many friends of the Radio Bible Class who attended the service that evening. Some dear friends invited us to their home after the meeting for a lunch; but when we got there, it was more like a full-course dinner, and what a feast we had! As we were eating, one of the hostesses came into the living room to see if we had enough. Upon leaving, she turned around and said, "There's more in the kitchen when this gets all!" Since I come from the Midwest, this Pennsylvania Dutch expression really tickled me. "There's more in the kitchen when this gets all!" It was just another way of saying, "When what you have is all gone, there's more where that came from!" That was good to know, but how much more wonderful this is in the spiritual realm. How comforting the assurance that no matter how great our need, no matter how heavily we might have already drawn upon Heaven's resources, there's more "when this gets all!"

God's love has no measure; God's grace has no limit; and God's power is supreme. His wisdom is unbounded; and, praise His name, His provisions are never exhausted! No wonder the Apostle Paul wrote to the church at Ephesus expressing his desire that they might "know the love of Christ which passeth knowledge" and be conscious of the fact that He "is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us."

Oh, that we might learn to walk in this confidence each day, and never worry about tomorrow! Thanking God for His present provision, we should go forward a step at a time knowing that "there's more when this gets all!" (Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved)

"There's more, there's more, when this gets all";
Assurance blest: He hears our call,
Though sad our way — filled with regret —
Through His supply we'll conquer yet! —H. G. Bosch

Our prayer and God's supply are like two buckets in a well; while one ascends, the other descends!

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The Ultimate Giver - If we put our trust for our well-being in a person, any person, we are putting it in the wrong place. Ultimately, our faith must be in God. To transfer that trust to a spouse or pastor or child is to put it where we will be disappointed.

In his book The Business of Heaven, C. S. Lewis wrote,

At first it is natural for a baby to take its mother's milk without knowing its mother. It is equally natural for us to see the man who helps us without seeing Christ behind him. But we must not remain babies. We must go on to recognize the real Giver. It is madness not to. Because, if we do not, we shall be relying on human beings. And that is going to let us down. The best of them will make mistakes; all of them will die. We must be thankful to all the people who helped us. We must honor and love them. But never, never pin your whole faith on any human being.

The author of Psalm 146 said not to trust in mortal men--even princes (v.3). Instead, he wrote, "Happy is he who has the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the Lord his God" (v.5).

God can be trusted because He always provides what He promises. He is the ultimate Giver. --D C Egner (Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved) <