Needs and Wants

"But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:19)

G. Campbell Morgan used to say, "A text without its context is a pretext!" We have so frequently considered the promise of today's text apart from its context that we may have failed to observe to whom it applies.

This promise comes to people who, though poor, were liberal. It was Paul's policy not to accept offerings for himself, but so desirous were the Philippians to give to him that he had made an exception in their case. Once again they have sent him a gift. Paul regards it as a pleasing sacrifice to God. Thus he exclaims, "My God shall supply your need, since you have supplied mine!"

Remember, then, to whom this promise is made, and the nature of it as well. "My God shall supply all your need." In a world where everybody wants to "keep up with the Joneses" it is not always easy to distinguish between needs and wants! God does not promise that we shall drive the latest and fanciest car, wear the finest clothing, live in the most exclusive section, possess every gadget there is. "All your need." Our trouble is that "having food and raiment we are not content therewith!" Yet these are what God promises!

The supply of needs is "according to God's riches in glory by Christ Jesus." Offerings prompted by commitment to Christ and inspired by His Spirit reap their reward from Him who is "the Lord of glory." Hope for reward, however, must never become our motive in giving. This should be done from "a willing heart," but it is reassuring to "know that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord" (Eph. 6:8).

"Because we love Thee and Thy work,

Our offering now we make;

Be pleased to use it as Thine own,

We ask for Jesus' sake."

(This devotional by Dr. Stuart R. Schimpf)

Open My Eyes That I May See

God calls us to employ all our senses as we strive to seek and serve him. We must keep our entire being--our bodies and our soul--tuned to God's every communication and prompting. In our busy lives we often miss the quiet promptings of God's Spirit. And when we do hear God speak, we often ignore the message. Clara Scott (1841-1897) calls us to watch and listen, and then to act on what we have seen and heard, sharing it with others.

Clara Scott was a music teacher who composed a great deal of instrumental and vocal music, including a book of anthems which was published in 1882. Her productive life of composing and teaching at the Women's Seminary in Lyons, Iowa, is evidence that her eyes and ears were open to God's leading, and that she was ready to share what God gave her. We should be ready to do the same.

Open my eyes, that I may see

Glimpses of truth Thou hast for me;

Place in my hands the wonderful key,

That shall unclasp and set me free.

Silently now I wait for Thee,

Ready, my God, Thy will to see;

Open my eyes, illumine me,

Spirit divine!

Open my ears, that I may hear

Voices of truth Thou sendest clear;

And while the wave-notes fall on my ear,

Everything false will disappear.

Silently now I wait for Thee,

Ready, my God, Thy will to see;

Open my eyes, illumine me,

Spirit divine!

(from the Praise and Worship Study Bible by Tyndale House Publishers)

A Prayer for the Indwelling of the Spirit

Almighty God, enter our hearts and so fill us with your love, that, forsaking all evil desires, we may embrace you, our only good. Show us, in your mercy, O Lord and God, what you are to us. Say to our souls; I am your salvation. Speak that we may hear. Our hearts are before you; open our ears; let us seek your voice and cling to you. Do not hide your face from us, we pray, O Lord. Enlarge the narrowness of our souls, that you may enter in. Repair the decayed mansions, that you may dwell there. Hear us, O heavenly Father, for the sake of your only Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen.
--Saint Augustine (354-430)

Mere Christianity Quotes (p. 98-99)

Here's another excerpt from the classic book by C.S. Lewis, "Mere Christianity". This passage is from the chapter about sexual morality.

If anyone says that sex, in itself, is bad, Christianity contradicts him at once. But, of course, when people say, 'Sex is nothing to be ashamed of,' they may mean 'the state into which the sexual instinct has now got is nothing to be ashamed of'.If they mean that, I think they are wrong. I think it is everything to be ashamed of. There is nothing to be ashamed of in enjoying your food: there would be everything to be ashamed of if half the world made food the main interest of their lives and spent their time looking at pictures of food and dribbling and smacking their lips.

I do not say you and I are individually responsible for the present situation. Our ancestors have handed over to us organisms which are warped in this respect: and we grow up surrounded by propaganda in favor of unchastity. There are people who want to keep our sex instinct inflamed in order to make money out of us. Because, of course, a man with an obsession is a man who has very little sales-resistance. God knows our situation; He will not judge us as if we had no difficulties to overcome. What matters is the sincerity and perseverance of our will to overcome them.

More of Jesus, Less of Me

"For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain" (Philippians 1:21)

To appreciate these words we should begin our reading at verse 15. Some of those who "preached Christ" more boldly on account of the apostle's imprisonment were doing so from low motives--out of envy and strife. They judged Paul to be like themselves and expected that their success in preaching would make him jealous, thus "adding affliction to his chains."

Paul disappointed these insincere preachers of the Gospel. As long as Christ was proclaimed he declared that it was his intention to rejoice! These refreshing words of his, so free from any bitterness or resentment, show us clearly the controlling purpose of his life. It was to "magnify" Jesus Christ.

What does Paul matter as long as Christ is exalted? This is his spirit--more, it is his passion! "He must increase, I must decrease" (John 3:30). Can we join the apostle in his testimony, "For to me to live is Christ!" Slights and insults thrust at us will have no effect. The trampling of Christ's name in the dirt will hurt us deeply. At the same time we shall shun applause for ourselves and delight to see honor given to Christ.

When William Carey lay dying, Alexander Duff, on whom Carey's "mantle" was soon to fall, came to visit his friend. Duff reminded Carey of the blessing that his missionary efforts had meant to India and the debt which the entire world owed him. As he turned to leave, Duff heard the dying man call his name. Upon returning to the bedside, he had to bend low to catch Carey's whispered words. "Duff, when William Carey is gone, don't talk about William Carey. Talk about William Carey's Savior!"

(this devotional by Dr. Stuart R. Schimpf)

The Teaching of Adversity

"In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world"
(John 16:33)

The typical view of the Christian life is that it means being delivered from all adversity. But it actually means being delivered in adversity, which is something very different. "He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. No evil shall befall you, nor shall any plague come near your dwelling..."(Psalm 91:1,10)--the place where you are at one with God.

If you are a child of God, you will certainly encounter adversities, but Jesus says you should not be surprised when they come. "In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." He is saying, "There is nothing for you to fear." The same people who refused to talk about their adversities before they were saved often complain and worry after being born again because they have the wrong idea of what it means to live the life of a saint.

God does not give us overcoming life--He gives us life as we overcome. The strain of life is what builds our strength. If there is no strain, there will be no strength. Are you asking God to give you life, liberty, and joy? He cannot, unless you are willing to accept strain. And once you face the strain, you will immediately get the strength. Overcome your own timidity and take the first step. Then God will give you nourishment--"To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life..."(Revelation 2:7). If you completely give of yourself physically, you become exhausted. But when you give of yourself spiritually, you get more strength. God never gives us strength for tomorrow, or for the next hour, but only for the strain of the moment. Our temptation is to face adversities from the standpoint of our own common sense. But a saint can "be of good cheer" even when seemingly defeated by adversities, because victory is absurdly impossible to everyone, except God.