Today’s Devotion
Topic: Blessing The Servant Of God
Text: Philippians 4: 19.
And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus. Amen
Our text for the day is one of the most quoted in Christianity; especially in prayer, when petitioning God to meet our needs. However, the preceding story, (that is, the reason why Paul said this blessing to the church in Philippi), may just be everything we are NOT doing to merit that blessing.
Paul, as an apostle, tried very hard not to burden the church with his personal needs. He and his companions worked night and day, labouring and toiling so that they would not be a burden to anyone (2 Thess 3: 8). He also mentioned that he had learnt to be content in whatever circumstances he found himself (Phil 4: 11).
Yet, much as he had learnt to be content either in lack or plenty, the church in Philippi never ceased to show him kindness. Paul recounted this when he wrote to them saying, “as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid more than once when I was in need.” (Phil 4: 15- 16).
Paul continues by saying, “Not that I desire your gifts; what I desire is that more be credited to your account. I have received full payment and have more than enough. 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 the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen” (Phil 4: 17- 20).
So you see, fellow believers and workers of the Lord’s vineyard, the blessing that supplied the needs of the Philippian church was a personal prayer from the heart of the Apostle for their CONSISTENT SUPPORT to him and his team even when they didn’t need it.
It did not also matter to them whether Paul was in Philippi or ministering to other churches, they simply cared for his needs even when others would not be bothered.
We have proposed or even argued that the servants of God who minister to us should either find regular jobs to do or be catered for by the churches or Christian organizations they work for so that they are not a burden to us. And yes, most are doing just that.
BUT YOU CAN DECIDE TO BE A CONSISTENT BLESSING TO THE SERVANT OF GOD WHO NOURISHES YOUR SOUL DAY IN AND OUT.
They have needs that are not easy to identify because the Lord teaches them to be content either in lack or plenty. Yet their hearts are full of gratitude and blessings for those who go out of their way to be a blessing to them. They pray for you and desire nothing less for you than you are to them: that God will also supply your very needs too, according to the RICHES of His GLORY.
Meditate on this and begin to pray for a heart like that of the Shunammite woman who identified the needs of Prophet Elisha and, together with her husband, met them (2 Kings 4: 8-37). Her own very need was met too.
Never forget that “Whoever welcomes a prophet as a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and whoever welcomes a righteous person as a righteous person will receive a righteous person’s reward” (Matt 10: 41). May God bless your heart and hands so you may be a blessing to His labouring servants too.
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