God Got You ... But Do You Have Him? (Philippians 4:15-20)

Welp folks, we’ve come to the end of our review of the Book of Philippians. Paul gave his final farewells and spiritual advice in this last chapter. Rejoice in the Lord always … be anxious for nothing, but pray about all things… meditate on things that are true, noble, and just … there’s a lot of valuable advice jam-packed into chapter 4.

Paul not only wrote edifying letters to the churches, but he also played a pivotal role in their start-up. Paul ushered many early believers into their faith in Christ. And if he didn’t introduce the gospel to them, he certainly built upon their faith by pouring out his love and wisdom upon them. One would think that, because of Paul’s dedication to God and His people, the believers would support Paul in any way possible. But sadly, this was not the case. Paul wrote,

“Now you Philippians know also that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church shared with me concerning giving and receiving but you only. For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities.”

(Philippians 4:15-16)

Not one church, Paul? No one at all supported you? The same people that you endured persecutions for, the same people you were “poured out like a drink offering” for (2 Timothy 4:6), couldn’t give you a dime? Not even a happy meal? How sad.

This verse reminds me of a conversation I had last week. While stopped at a red light, I saw a man who appeared to be homeless on the side of the street. He was perched under an umbrella and was drifting off to sleep. I reasoned within myself that if he opened his eyes, I’d give him the cash I had on hand. And right on que as if he had heard my thoughts, he opened his eyes.

I let my window down and handed him the little amount of cash I had. He thanked me and said, “This is all I’ve gotten today.” I cocked my head to the side in shock.

“No one gave you anything today?” It was roughly 4 p.m.

“No ma’am … maybe another $1 and some change … but that’s about it.”

We talked for a few more seconds before the red light turned green. I wished him well, he thanked me once again, and I drove off to my destination.

No one? No one at all had thought to spare even $1 to this man? Again, how sad …

This world lacks compassion. It lacks love and empathy, and it doesn’t matter if you are “worthy” of support or not … people just don’t give as they should. Because if anyone was “worthy” of receiving financial support, it would have been Paul. A laborer is worthy of their hire, so certainly Paul deserved physical compensation for his spiritual labor (1 Corinthians 9).

And yet, only the Philippians had given to him. But one thing about God, He makes sure His people are supported regardless of who chooses to support or not. Paul wrote, “Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account. Indeed, I have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God.” (Philippians 4:17-18).

Thank God for God! And thank God for the people who choose to show compassion. Although the other churches should have supported him for all that he had done, their lack of support meant nothing at all. Paul gave the Philippians, and ultimately us this reminder:

“And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus”

(Philippians 4:19).

Whether it’s financial support, moral support, emotional support, physical support, or spiritual support, God will supply your every need according to His riches, which is an endless supply. God says, “For every beast of the forest is Mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills” (Psalm 50:10). This is to say that God owns everything and He’s never without. And if He is never without, and He is our Shepherd, then we should not want or lack anything (Psalm 23:1).

Whatever you need, God has or better yet, God is ... He declared to Moses that He is, “I AM” (Exodus 3:14). So, whatever we need, God is. God is healing, God is deliverance, God is love, He is even the Bread of Life. He’s filling. He is all in all.

So ultimately, reader, all I’m saying is that God got you. That’s not correct grammar, but it’s a correct statement. But do we have God? Are we saved? Is He our Lord and Savior? Do we walk according to the Spirit and not the flesh?

And if we say we have God, then we have love, and love would never fail to support someone who needs it. Love could not look in the face of the homeless and turn a blind eye. Love could not let someone like Paul pour themselves out on their behalf without some form of reciprocity. If we really have God, then we would love others as we love ourselves.

I understand that some people are liars. Some people stand on corners begging for money with no real need. But I also understand that God rains on the just and the unjust (Matthew 5:45). And if we are God’s children, we are called to rain our blessings on the righteous and the unrighteous just as God does—meaning we are to bless our enemies and our friends. That means sometimes, we quite possibly will bless those who have set out only to use us.

But please refer to the title of this article again. Regardless of who may or may not attempt to use you, God got you. We will never know the intent behind every man or woman’s actions. We will not know if we are being taken advantage of unless God chooses to reveal their hearts. But haven’t we wronged God? Isn’t that the entire point of salvation? We need Jesus because we have all behaved unjustly, and yet, God still showed love.

Reader, I just want you to remember that we are to be the light of the world. And Jesus, the Light of the world, showed compassion to all, not just those who “deserved” it … to be crystal clear, no one deserved it. Grant me a bit of humor here ...

No, no one at all.

So, I want to remind you to show love to everyone, whether you think they deserve it or not. Yes, God got you but show Him that you have Him too. Illustrate His love and compassion to the world, and may you be blessed for your words, actions, and deeds, but most importantly your Godlike heart.

Be blessed! Until next time, take care.

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Thank you for reading this week's Write On! Wednesday word. New blog post available every Wednesday at noon along with a new video on the Now, That's A Word YouTube Channel: https://YouTube.com/@nowthatsaword

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Sincerely,

Quin Arrington