Written ~ 08-15-2023
Philippians 4:10-14
“How I praise the Lord that you are concerned about me again. I know you have always been concerned for me, but you didn’t have the chance to help me. Not that I was ever in need, I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. Even so, you have done well to share with me in my present difficulty.”
In this passage Paul is thanking the Philippian church for their gifts and support to his ministry. Paul has learned during his journey to live with very little and with a lot. Sometimes with a full belly, sometimes empty. He has learned to rely on the Lord for everything, to be strengthened by the very presence of Christ in his life. In today’s culture, have we learned to live with little? There seems to be the constant pursuit for more…
Philippians 4:13, “For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength…” is probably one of the most well-known verses in the Bible. It can be used for encouragement for every situation life throws at us. Paul lived in a time where the teaching of the gospel was looked down upon. The religious leaders did not like the message he was spreading. Paul spent a lot of time imprisoned because he had a heart for the churches he ministered to and was not going to stop teaching. He didn’t expect anything from the churches, but he was humbled and blessed when they offered support.
Verses 4:15-19 show us Paul’s thankful spirit, he didn’t need the recognition, he wanted the people who supported him to receive the blessing, the reward from the Lord.
“As you know, you Philippians were the only ones who gave me financial help when I first brought you the Good News… No other church did this. Even when I was in Thessalonica you sent help more than once. I don’t say this because I want a gift from you. Rather, I want you to receive a reward for your kindness. At the moment I have all I need – and more! I am generously supplied with the gifts you sent me… They are a sweet-smelling sacrifice that is acceptable and pleasing to God. 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.”
So, what is the message we can take from today’s verses?
Who are you in these verses? Are you the one who has learned to live with little? Are you the one who has learned to be humble and thankful when you have been blessed with more than you need? Are you the one who gives to those in need, even when you don’t have much to give? Are you the one who gives generously, without ulterior motive, from your abundance?
Since Philippians 4:13 is one verse in the Bible that I would say most people have memorized, they use it as their “life verse.” Let’s add to it… why not add verse 4:19?
“For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength…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.”
It’s important to take the focus off ourselves and focus solely on Christ. Paul is such a great example of living his life fully committed to his service to the Lord. He has learned to live in every situation, every circumstance. But never once do we hear him boast about doing anything on his own. Christ is his supply, his strength, in everything.
In verse 4:12 he says,
“…I have learned the secret of living in every situation…”
What is that secret? Trusting in the Lord, fully, to give you strength, to supply your every need. What is your need? In what situation do you need strength?
“…God will supply all your needs from His glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.”
Through our Salvation, our acceptance of Christ Jesus in our hearts and lives, that’s where we draw strength.
The Amplified Bible (AMP) expounds on verse 4:13 in this way,
“I can do all things (which He has called me to do) through Him who strengthens and empowers me (to fulfill His purpose – I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency; I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses me with inner strength and confident peace).”
I love that! Christ infuses me with inner strength and confident peace! What does the word infuse mean?
- To cause to be permeated with something that alters usually for the better
Thank You Jesus for permeating my heart, my mind, my soul with Your strength. Thank You for being near to me, giving me confidence when I need it the most. Thank you for giving us the words from Paul’s heart! He is someone I look up to! I strive to live as confidently as he did. He had such a content, peaceful way of looking at everything he experienced. I really want to learn from his example – he really did strive to be more and more like You every single day. He spread the Good News of salvation even though he went through much persecution, it’s because You gave him strength! I want that too – the confident strength through You, my Savior, my Lord.
~AMEN~