Philippians 4:19 - "According to His Riches in Glory by Christ Jesus"

Today I want us to look at the last phrase of this verse, "accordingto His riches in glory by Christ Jesus." These few words reveal notonly that God provides for His children, but they tell us how He provides andwhere our provision comes from. Noticefirst that Paul says God supplies "according to His riches,"not merely "out of His riches." There is a tremendous difference. Supposea billionaire handed someone ten dollars. He gave out of his riches, butcertainly not according to his riches. The gift was only a tiny fraction ofwhat he possessed. But if he gave according to his riches, the gift wouldreflect the greatness of his wealth. That is exactly what Paul is saying aboutGod. Our Heavenly Father does not ration His grace. He does not measure Hismercy with a tiny spoon. He supplies according to the infinite abundance of Hisown riches. Howrich is God? He owns everything! Psalm 24:1 reminds us, "The earth isthe LORD'S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwelltherein." Haggai 2:8 says, "The silver is mine, and the goldis mine, saith the LORD of hosts." David declared in 1 Chronicles29:11, "Thine, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory,and the victory, and the majesty... all that is in the heaven and in the earthis thine." God never faces a shortage. Heaven never experiencesinflation. The storehouses of His grace are never depleted. YetPaul is speaking about something even greater than material wealth. He says, "accordingto His riches in glory." Throughout Paul's letters, the word"riches" most often refers to the immeasurable wealth of God's grace,mercy, love, wisdom, and power. In Ephesians 1:7, Paul speaks of "theriches of His grace." In Ephesians 2:4, he writes of God being "richin mercy." Just a few verses later, in Ephesians 2:7, he tells usabout "the exceeding riches of His grace." In Romans 11:33, heexclaims, "O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledgeof God!" God's greatest riches are not found in streets of gold orgates of pearl. They are found in His glorious character—His grace, His mercy,His love, His faithfulness, His wisdom, and His power. That is the treasurefrom which He supplies His children. ThenPaul tells us that all of this comes "by Christ Jesus." JesusChrist is the channel through whom every blessing flows. Every spiritualblessing we possess comes because of Him. Every answered prayer comes throughHim. Every provision of grace comes through Him. Every promise of God finds itsfulfillment in Him. Without Christ, we would have no access to the Father. Butbecause of Christ, we have been welcomed into God's family and become heirs ofall that belongs to Him. No wonder Paul wrote in Romans 8:32, "He thatspared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not withhim also freely give us all things?" If God has already given us Hisgreatest gift—His own Son—we can trust Him to give us everything else we trulyneed. AsI think back over our recent mission trip to Guatemala, I am reminded againthat this is exactly how God works. He supplied every need according to Hisriches. He provided strength when we were tired, wisdom when decisions had tobe made, protection as we traveled, unity among our team, open doors forministry, and joyful fellowship with believers we had never met before.  Friend,perhaps today you are facing a need that seems overwhelming. It may befinancial. It may be physical. It may be emotional. It may be spiritual. Rememberthis promise. Your need may be great, but God's riches are infinitely greater. TheGod who created the universe, who redeemed you through His Son, and who hasnever broken a promise will supply every need according to His riches in gloryby Christ Jesus. So trust Him today. Rest in His faithfulness. Obey Himwholeheartedly. Serve Him joyfully. Give generously. And leave your needs inthe hands of the One whose resources are limitless.