Phil 4:19 (ESV) And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 20 To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.
This was Paul’s final prayer for the Philippians before he closed his wonderful letter. For this week, I’d like to focus on the phrase “according to His riches” in this verse. God gives us lots of things from His riches. What do you suppose “according to His riches” might mean. That was my question. I got to thinking about what the difference between giving from our wealth and giving according to our wealth might be if there was a difference at all.
Webster says “according” means “in conformity with,” while “from” means giving as a part of a “source.” When a wealthy golfer is finished with his round of golf, he’ll usually tip the caddie. Giving the caddie $50 is a tip from his riches. Giving the caddie maybe $1,000 is a gift according to – in conformity with – his righes.
So, let’s get back to Paul and his prayer for the Philippian church and for us. He is asking for a greater blessing than just something from God’s riches in glory but to receive riches in glory in conformity with God’s great love and riches.
Delightfully, it turns out there are lots of other “according to’s” in Scripture:
Rom. 8:28 (ESV) And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. Here is another blessing to be used in God’s work, for His purpose.
Col. 1:9-11 (ESV) And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10 so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy; Too many blessings here to list, but to receive all power from God according to His glorious might should certainly wake us up, stand us on our feet, the prompt us to enter the fray.
1 John 5:14 (ESV) And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. This verse has a little different meaning for us. It is our responsibility to pray according to – in conformity with – God’s will if we want Him to hear our prayers. We bear the burden to find if God wants us to pray in a particular way. If we don’t know, we can simply ask the Holy Spirit to pray for us. That way we can be sure to remain in God’s perfect will.
2 John 6 (ESV) And this is love, that we walk according to his commandments; this is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, so that you should walk in it. And here’s the tough one isn’t it? We need to walk in conformity with God’s will, with His commandments.
In Focus on the Family’s Truth Project series, teacher Del Tackett said something very interesting. He said sin is whatever is not aligned with God’s character. Conversely, the commands of God for us must be aligned perfectly with His will for us. Want to know God’s will in your life? Want to pray according to His will? Look into His commands.
Why is this important?
Understanding that God has much more for us than we can ever imagine gives us hope in the deepest trials and tests. God is always here wishing to bless us. He is love by nature, and all things He allows in our lives come from that center of His nature. Can we wish for anything more than Paul wished for the Philippians or the Ephesians, for that matter?
Eph 3:20-21 (ESV) Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
Believers Armed and Dangerous 