WHAT DOES IT TAKE FOR GOD TO SUPPLY ALL OUR NEEDS? Text: Phil 4:10-19 Intro: Does it surprise you if I say “God has limitation?” His limitation is not to contradict His Word. It is not God who decide how much blessing we receive, it is us. Aim: For us to receive God’s blessings according to His riches in glory by giving.

I.We have to learn that to be generous especially to the household of faith is an opportunity-v10 A.Not all people do have opportunity- v 10 -The Philippians care just flourished once again because they lack opportunity. B. I kings 17:8-16 Zarepthian widow 1. She has no bread 2. only a handful of flour in a bin 3. little oil in a jar 4. it will be their last meal 5. even if they will be able to eat it, they will still die 6. But God commanded her (v 9) and send Elijah to her, for her to have an opportunity. C. Gal 6:10 “Therefore, as we have the opportunity, let us do good to all, esp. to those who are of the household of faith.”

II. Paul’s intention of teaching and receiving gifts. A. Not because of His needs-v 11 B. Not that he seek the gift-v 17 C. But he seek the fruit that abounds on the Philippians (giver)-v He wants them to have the opportunity. 2. If he refuse to have it, he is depriving them of the opportunity. 3. It is our responsibility to teach about generosity. If people didn’t learn about it and missed God’s blessings, it’s a negligence on our (the minister’s) side. 4. Paul knows very well God’s principles on giving (He who sows bountifully will reap bountifully). D. It is not God who decides how much blessings we receive, it’s us- Luke 6:38

III. A must attitude for believers to be able to give-v A. To be content in whatever state you are-v You could never give if you’re not contented with what you have. B. To know how to be abased and how to abound-v You could never know how to abound if you’ve never been in need. 2. “I keep complaining of having no shoes until I saw a man that has no feet”. C. To learn both to be full and to be hungry, and both to abound and to suffer need: 1. Everywhere-v In all things-v II Corinthians 6:10 “as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.” D. To believe that you can do all things through Christ-v 13

IV. The Philippians generosity-v A. They have done well in sharing Paul’s distress-v 14 B. From the beginning of the gospel they shared with Paul concerning giving and receiving-v 15 -When did you start sharing? Or when will you start sharing? -You might be surprised when you receive reward of preaching the gospel in Laguna or somewhere you haven’t been-3 John 5-8 -They didn’t receive anything from the Gentiles-v 7 -You become a fellow workers for the truth by sharing-v 8 -Paul said we ought to receive such-v 8 C. They knew that it doesn’t stop on giving-v 14 - By giving you receive - One reason you don’t receive is you don’t give-Prov 21:13 D. When Paul was in Thessalonica they sent once and again-v 16 E. Paul was made full by what they’ve sent to him-v 18

V. Their generosity was: A. A sweet smelling aroma-v 18 -When did God made a covenant of not flooding the earth again? B. An acceptable sacrifice-v 18 -A sacrifice is something you give up for something better to happen. -Another idea of sacrifice is the atonement of sins- I Samuel 3:14 “And therefore I have sworn to the house of Eli that the iniquity of Eli's house shall not be atoned for by sacrifice or offering forever.” C. Well pleasing to God. -You could never have your need if you don’t please God. -You can please Him by praising and obeying but don’t forget about giving. Acts 10:1-4 D. Bring glory to God-v 20

VI. God is determined to supply all our need when we give-v 19 A. This verse was written to the Philippians not for anybody else. B. For us to be a recipient of this verse, we have to do what they did. C. His supply will be according to His riches. D. You might say, “okay” I have what I need. -Is it according to His riches or your labour? - “In every labour there is fruit” Proverbs 14:23 -Deut 11:10-12 “For the land which you go to possess is not the like the land of Egypt from which you came from, where you sowed your seed and watered it by foot, as a vegetable garden; but the land which you cross over to possess is a land of hills and valleys, which drinks water from the rain of heaven, a land for which the Lord your God are always on it, from the beginning of the year to the very end of the year.”

Challenge: Would you like God to supply all your needs according to His riches and glory? You know now what does it take. You can now determine how much blessing you would like to receive. Conclusion: John 13:17, Phil 4:19 “If you know these things, blessed are you if do them”. “And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory.”