Don’t Worry. Trust God!

In review of Philippians 4:19 it says, “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” (NLT).

Today’s verse comes from Philippians 4:18-20. Paul tells the Philippians that at the moment he has all he needs, and more! He (Paul) has been generously supplied with the gifts they set to him with Epaphroditus. Their gifts are a sweet-smelling sacrifice that is acceptable and pleasing to God. And the same God who takes care of me (Paul) will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus. Now all glory to God our Father forever and ever! Amen.

From what Paul tells me and what I have experienced first hand, I can trust that God will always meet my needs. Whatever it is I need on earth, he will always supply, even if it is the courage to face death as Paul did. In addition whatever I need in heaven he will supply as well. I must remember, however, that there is a difference between my wants and my needs, and most (including myself) want to feel good and avoid discomfort or pain. I may not get all that I want. But when I trust in Christ, he’ll help my attitude and appetite change from wanting everything to accepting his provision and power to live for him.

In this world, I can be a hero one day and a zero the next day, a millionaire one day and bankrupt the next. No matter how much I make, no matter how much I save, finances are uncertain. So I find that I worry at times. But here’s what I find in the Bible about worrying over money:

It’s unreasonable (Matthew 6:25). I’m going to have fears in life, but there are better things to be scared of than a lack of finances. Even if I go bankrupt, it could get worse. Life is more than just the accumulation of things. I should be concerned about what’s truly important.

It’s unnatural (Matthew 6:26). Jesus reminds me that animals and plants don’t worry. Birds don’t say, “I’d better build a bigger nest for retirement.” Only humans don’t trust God to provide for them. Everything else in creation trusts him.

It’s unnecessary (Matthew 6:30). Financial fears come from a misunderstanding about God and what he’s promised to do for you. He’s assumed responsibility for my needs. He says, “I’m your heavenly Father; you’re my child. I’m going to take care of your needs.” I will always get into trouble when I doubt the love of God.

Worry is playing God. It’s assuming responsibility for something that God has said he will take care of. Paul reminds me in Philippians 4:19, “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” (NLT).

God knows what’s going on in my life, and in my wallet. He knows all my needs even before I ask. He wants to help me out.

Bottom Line:

God will always meet your needs from his unending riches.

What this means to me:

God, because of Christ Jesus will always meet my needs from his glorious and unending riches.

In summary, I have all I need, not necessarily all I want. God takes care of me and will supply all my needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to me in Christ Jesus. I can trust that God will always meet my needs. There is a difference between my wants and my needs. I may not always get what I want. But when I trust in Christ, he will help adjust my perception, my attitude and my appetite. I begin to accept his provision and his power to live for him and his purposes for my life. I have no need to worry, life is more than just the accumulation of things. He has assumed responsibility for all of my needs. If I find myself worrying, then it's because I'm assuming responsibility for something that God has said he will take care of. God knows what's going on in my life. He knows all my needs, even before I ask. He wants to help me out.

This morning Father I thank you for your continuous and generous provision. I place my trust in you to take care of my needs. I’m learning that I need to make sure that I’m giving a tithe and offerings above it. I truly want to remove all forms of worry from my life. While I’m not worried so much about money, I do worry about the workload I’m under at work. The same principle applies to work as it does to provision for needs. I will put my trust in you to help manage the situation and the expectations. My role will be to continue to look for your guidance in the decisions, priorities and with my communications with others. I ask for your help in this, in Jesus name.