Reflections
Provision in Christ
But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. (Phil 4:19)
If you read this verse in context you cannot escape the fact that Paul is talking at least inclusively about material provision. But what he says once again points out a basic principle as to how God works. God has wrapped up everything He has for man in His Son, Jesus Christ. Thus, neither material or spiritual provision is a matter of God just handing us THINGS — apart from any relationship to Christ. Rather, as a general rule, material provision comes along as we live from out of Christ as our life; as the source of all spiritual provision.
Never think that a person cannot prosper outside of Christ, or provide for themselves. They can and do. Serving mammon can be quite profitable in this world. But we are here talking about the will of God and HIS provision. A believer should ask God to provide for them exactly what HE wants — no more and no less. We should be content in Christ and in what He knows we need.
This is the same principle as when Jesus said, “Seek you first the kingdom and all that you need will be added.” (Matt. 6:33) This is not a matter of earning God’s provision by our seeking. Rather, it is a matter of us seeking Christ for Himself, and finding all that we need in Him, including material provision. If Christ IS our life – and we are living from OUT OF HIM by faith – material provision will be in the flow of His life.