Philippians 4:16-19
Always watching for the elusive diet foods that offer taste as well as healthy eating, I bought a bottle of Salad Dressing that stated there were only 2 calories per serving. Sounded great until I continued to read and found that a serving size was one teaspoon! Do you know how small a mere teaspoon of dressing is when dumped on a big leafy green salad?
Everybody knows that the details, sometimes painful details, are in the fine print. Human nature is to zoom in on the good parts and not dig to find the truth; because we know some things are just too good to be true! When we read only what we want to see, we can claim innocence when it comes to consequences, or so we think.
Often, scriptural truth is in the fine print. We read a verse that gives us approval or reinforces what we hope is right and we go no further. A perfect example is Philippians 4:19 “And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.”
This verse is seen on book marks, coffee cups and emblazoned on the walls of prayer rooms everywhere. We do seem to take note that the verse does say needs, not wants, but there’s more to it than the obvious.
We overlook the paragraphs before the verse that talk explicitly about giving to support those who commit their lives to ministry. The verse isn’t a statement of personal provision, it’s an assurance; if you give to the support of missions, THEN God will take responsibility to meet your needs.
Wherever there is a promise in God’s Word, there is a corresponding stipulation. Whether it’s a need for repentance, attention to attitude or an expected response for an action, God’s promises are not without reciprocation.
God has already done His part, (Hebrews 4:3 b.) He waits for us to respond. Receive Christ, ask forgiveness, love without exception, conduct business with integrity, give generously; whatever it is that holds God’s promises at a distance, read the fine print and do your part. There IS real power in God’s Word; when you read the fine print.
Philippians 4:16-19 for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid again and again when I was in need. Not that I am looking for a gift, but I am looking for what may be credited to your account. I have received full payment and even more; I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, help me to have a generous heart so that I do give abundantly. Help me to always read all your words and not just those that make me feel satisfied or justified. Thank you for your provision and blessing and make me sensitive to the needs of others. Amen.
Hebrews 4:3b —and yet his work has been finished since the creation of the world.