Family Devotional: Key Verses of the Bible - Philippians 4:19
Focus this week:
To understand that when we give sacrificially, it pleases God and we can trust that he will provide for our needs.
Pray for your family and your time together:
Heavenly Father, we are so grateful for your gracious provision for our needs from the abundance of your riches. Help us not to let anxiety over lack of resources limit our obedience to giving when you have directed us to do so.
Focal Bible Passage:
Philippians 4:19
Big Idea:
When we are faithful to give sacrificially, we can trust our heavenly father to provide for our needs from the abundance of his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
Memory Verse:
“And my God will supply all your needs according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” –Philippians 4:19
Introduction:
The book of Philippians is a letter from the apostle Paul, written while he is imprisoned in Rome. Paul has a deep affection for the people of Philippi and the book is filled with encouragement, instruction, and reminders to take joy in Christ. Paul instructs them in many areas of life including enduring hardships, unity with fellow believers, dealing with anxiety, giving sacrificially, and trusting in the Lord’s provision. The believers in Philippi had often sent financial gifts to Paul over the years of his missionary journeys and at this point, during his imprisonment. Paul encourages the believers by saying that their gift to him was pleasing to the Lord. Our focal verse is Paul’s encouragement to the Philippians that as a result of their sacrificial giving to him, God will supply all their needs.
Earlier in the same chapter, Paul explains he has learned to be content in whatever circumstance he finds himself. This sets the context for understanding that God’s provision for our needs is both sufficient and abundant, even when the world might perceive our situation as being one of need. When we look at our needs through the filter of God, we can see that we are graciously cared for by a father who loves us and has the ability to provide for us beyond our comprehension.
Family Devotional: Key Verses of the Bible - Philippians 4:19
Read Philippians 4:18
Our focal verse is Philippians 4:19, but verse 18 helps us understand the context of why Paul would make such a wonderful promise in verse 19. The believers in Philippi had sent a generous offering to Paul while he was in Rome, under house arrest. Epaphroditus, one of the church members, had delivered their gift, which was likely financial as well as resources to help him during this time.
This was not the first time the people of Philippi had helped Paul. These believers were willing to sacrifice from their own resources to provide for Paul. Epaphroditus even stayed and served Paul, becoming a co-laborer for the gospel. He served even through an illness that almost cost him his life.
Paul sent Epaphroditus back with a letter that we now read as the book of Philippians. God had used the Philippians to meet Paul’s needs. Paul wanted them to know their gifts were pleasing to God and God knew they had sacrificed to meet his need.
Ask: What are some ways you can help others? Is it difficult to give up something that is dear to you? (Explain that we can help others in a variety of ways: money, time, energy, and talent)
Read Philippians 4:19
Our focal verse begins with the word “and” because the promise in verse 19 is a result of verse 18. What an amazing promise! Earlier in Philippians chapter 4, Paul explains he has learned to be content in both times of small provision as well as times of abundance. Paul also encourages the Philippians and says he is grateful for their gift-not just for his benefit but also for the blessing he knows they will receive because of their sacrifice. Paul wants the believers in Philippi to understand that God is not only aware of their obedience, but he is also pleased with it and will provide their needs. God’s abundant provision for us will be based on what he knows we need. His desire is for us to find our value in him-not to view this world as our home-and to grow in our Christlikeness. With that perspective in mind, God will supply exactly what we need.
Ask: What are things we need and what are things we want? Are there things you take for granted that you should view as a gift from God?
It is important to remember that our greatest need is for a Savior. It is only because of the sacrifice of Jesus that we are able to have a relationship with our heavenly father. The provision of Christ’s death in our place and his resurrection is a gift beyond any other we can imagine.
Application:
Younger Preschooler:
Younger preschoolers are transitioning from infancy-when their needs and wants are met on demand-to learning to wait, operating on someone else’s schedule, and sharing. By providing for your preschooler’s needs, you are laying the foundations for them to understand when they get older that our heavenly father will meet our needs. Learning to be patient at this age will help them understand one day that our timetable is not always the same as God’s.
Take advantage of teachable moments to talk about how God takes care of us. When it is raining, thank God for providing water for the flowers and trees. When you eat a meal, thank God for providing the food. When you see a friend, thank God for providing others who love us. In all these ways, you are training your child to recognize God’s provision.
Older Preschooler:
A Blessing Jar
Take a jar and several small slips of paper. Begin to list the ways God has provided for the needs of your family. Write each blessing on a slip of paper and place it in the jar. This can be an ongoing tradition and the jar can be a visible reminder of the many ways God has answered prayers, provided for your needs, and blessed you.
Younger Child:
Obedient Giving
God supplies our needs. God also expects us to give to others when we are aware of a need. Sometimes giving to others is in the form of money, but it can also be in many other forms. Discuss some of the ways you can share God’s love with others. Suggestions: baking cookies for a neighbor, making cards for homebound or nursing home patients, donating gently worn clothes or toys to a charity, contributing non-perishable food to a food bank or encouraging someone who is going through a difficult time. Discuss ways God has taken care of a need for your family. Has God ever used someone else to meet your need?
Older Child:
Needs or Wants
We live in a world that values material possessions. There is often pressure to have the latest version of a game, clothes of a certain brand, or the most advance technology. Sometimes the world’s perspective can cause us to confuse what we want with what we need. Our understanding of what our needs are is often relative to whom we are comparing ourselves. Take some time to discuss or list your true needs. No matter how lacking you might feel in comparison to those around you, you are undoubtedly blessed far beyond many who you simply do not see. Help your child have perspective on what true needs are and how God provides for them.
Middle School:
A superficial reading of a verse like Philippians 4:19 could lead one to believe that God will give me whatever I want. That is not the teaching of the Bible. Instead, by reading the verse in context we understand that it’s real meaning has to do with the sacrifice that is required to follow Christ. Following Jesus will cost us. Maybe it will cost us friendships, ridicule, name-calling, or flat out persecution. Paul’s encouragement in light of that is that God has already given us all that we need in Jesus Christ. The reason for that is that what we have in Jesus is eternal and anything that we experience now is temporary.
Think for a moment on what God has given us in Jesus Christ. Make a list of what you have because of Jesus. Now make another column on that list of things that you may have to endure because of your allegiance to Jesus. Compare the lists and be encouraged that what we have in Christ outweighs (by a lot) the things we may give for following Christ.
High School:
Money is the root of all kinds of evil. Oh, wait – that is not the verse in the Bible. The Bible says, “The love of money is the root of all kinds of evil” -1 Timothy 6:10. Some may say, I know this brother is in need but I don’t have any extra money to give them. Paul is encouraging the believers in Philippi because they had send him a monetary gift for his ministry. He knew that they did not have any extra money to send along but sent it out of what they may have needed for their own lives or families. They had obviously sacrificed for the benefit of Paul and his ministry.
Why should true Christ-followers be the most generous kinds of people? How does the truth that God has already provided for all of our eternal needs in Christ lead us to support others with monetary and physical means? What disciplines in your life are you currently exercising to make sure that money is not a love in your life but seen as a tool to support God-honoring ministry?