Philippians 4:10-14 – God is our source, people are His resources

Bear in mind that at this point Paul was in prison facing an impending trial. If proven guilty, he would be sentenced to death. His steadfastness in proclaiming the Gospel despite the chains had challenged the Philippians. It appeared that they had rekindled their giving and took up an offering and sent it to him. Apart from delivering the offering to Paul, Epaphroditus was also sent to minister to him. The apostle saw in this generous act their love for the Lord Jesus Christ, their love for him and the zeal for the furtherance of the Gospel. And these facts prompted him to further rejoice in the Lord.

Grateful for their efforts, Paul then expressed his gratitude and commended them for their generosity and stewardship. The way Paul constructed verse 11 tells us that he did not want them to feel that he was discouraged because they stopped their support to him earlier. He assured them that he had learned to adapt to the circumstances of life and he knew how to live in times of plenty as well as times of lack.

We need to know that prior to the call of Jesus Christ on his life, Paul was a rich Pharisee. He could have whatever he needed or wanted. When he met Christ, he gave up his riches and served as a tentmaker to support his ministry. However, he was in prison now. Being in confinement, he could not continue with his tent-making job to support himself. This coupled with the fact that the support had also stopped for a while. But the circumstances he encountered had helped him to cultivate a reliance on Christ. He became truly aware that God was his Source and Sustainer. Thus, while commending the Philippians for their effort in sharing in his ministry and affliction, Paul was able to say, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

Like Paul, we will have people around us, who will readily avail themselves to assist us in any way. Yet nothing in life beats relying on the Lord. God will never lead us to where His grace cannot sustain us. He will never fail us. He will be our life, when life is gone!