Philippians 4:10-20--God's Provision

God's Provision​
10 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. 11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

14 Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble. 15 And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. 16 Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again. 17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit. 18 I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. 19 And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 20 To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.

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Paul gets rejoices as the Philippian church being concerned for Paul and wanting to do something to help him in his time of trouble.  He assures them that hearing of their desire to help him is enough for him and he knows their financial position and that they are unable to send a monetary gift, but remember that they already sent him Epaphroditus to encourage him and that was a great blessing to Paul.

Paul reinforces the idea that he was teaching before to rejoice in the Lord always and to fix our eyes on Christ as our portion and provision and not the circumstances.  For many would think that Paul would be in desperate need being thrown in prison, but Paul said that he has learned to be content with whatever the Lord has provided him with, whether it is little or with much, so that in all things he might face the circumstances with the humility, courage and strength that comes from trusting in Christ alone--not just for salvation, but for our daily provision.

Paul is again touched and encourages that the Philippians want to help Paul and his ministry in any way that they can, even if it brings trouble and suffering on them.  Paul remembers that no other church entered into partnership with Paul (I think this means sending money to him on a regular basis as well as probably helping to collect a special offering for the persecuted Christians in Jerusalem) other than the church in Philippi, and the Macedonians had very little to give.  We'd probably feel much the same way about this today if we sent missionaries to a place like Kosovo that has been ravaged by civil war for so long and where people are poor and destitute, but a small church there came together and heard about a pastor that was in prison (maybe somewhere in the Middle East) and wanted to take up an offering for him and make sure that he had food and clothes, and maybe even sent someone from their church to check on him and help take care of him.  That would be amazing to us, right?  But that's what the gospel does when we realize that it's not about us providing for our own needs, but it's about us as the Body of Christ taking care of each other as we all trust on God to supply all our needs according to His riches in glory which are in Christ Jesus (see verse 19).

Paul thanks the church for their generosity in the past (making sure they know he is not asking for money now) and for sending Epaphroditus and the other gifts they have sent to him.  He seeks to see God reward them for their faithfulness and their partnership with Paul.  Paul makes sure though to end by giving all the glory to our God and Father and Paul ends his doxology with the word "Amen" meaning that what He has said is both true and certain.

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Proverbs 3:5-6
English Standard Version5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
    and do not lean on your own understanding.
6 In all your ways acknowledge him,
    and he will make straight your paths.