GOD’S PROVISION

Philippians 4:13
New International Version
13 
I can do all this through him who
gives me strength.
Throughout Luke, Jesus teaches
that living in God's kingdom
means looking to God, rather than
human effort, as the ultimate source
of the things we need for life.
 PROVISION

a: the act or process of providing

b: the fact or state of being prepared 
beforehand
c: a measure taken beforehand to deal with
a need or contingency : PREPARATION
made provision for replacements
 Philippians 4:13 is all about
contentment. Ever heard someone
say something like this? (Ever said
it yourself?) “If I won the lottery—
if I had loads of money—I'd be
ridiculously generous.”
 WHAT IS THE MEANING OF PHILIPPIANS 4:12-13?

Paul is saying that the reason he is

content in whatever situation he is
in is that he knows the Lord will
provide for him no matter what.
 WHAT IS THE MEANING OF PHILIPPIANS 4:12-13?

Paul knows God has not forgotten

him in prison. He knows God still
cares for Paul even though he is
suffering, and he knows that in the
end, God is with him no matter
what.
Before we look closely at
Paul’s words, let’s talk about
the context that this book
was written.
Paul wrote the book of Philippians
 as a letter to the church of Philippi,
a small Christian mission Paul
planted on his second mission trip.
The city of Philippi was full of many
religions at the time, but Judaism
was not prominent at all. 
“I know what it is to be in need, and
I know what it is to have plenty. I
have learned the secret of being
content in any and every situation,
whether well fed or hungry, whether
living in plenty or in want. I can do
all this through him who gives me
strength.” 
Paul is saying that the reason he is
content in whatever situation he is
in is that he knows the Lord will
provide for him no matter what.
Paul knows God has not forgotten
him in prison.
He knows God still cares for Paul
even though he is suffering, and he
knows that in the end, God is with
him no matter what. It is from that
knowledge that Paul is drawing his
strength to move forward. 
What does that mean for us
though? Just like Paul, we
know that the Lord loves and
cares for us.
Throughout our lives, we can take
comfort in knowing that God will
care for us, just as he feeds the birds
and clothes the lilies in the field (
Matthew 6:26-34). Be content in what
the Lord provides you with because
you know that He will provide. 
The challenge is for us to see his
provision and care, even when it is
different than we expect. Because
God is God, his ways are higher
than our ways (Isaiah 55:9). But he
graciously gives us insight into what
he is doing in the Scriptures.
John Piper says, “God is always
doing 10,000 things in your life, but
you may be aware of three of
them.”
Over and over again, Jesus’s
disciples missed what he was doing
right in front of them. They missed
the point of the miracles. They
missed the lessons. Which should
give us hope for our own lack of
clarity today.
Over and over again, Jesus’s
disciples missed what he was doing
right in front of them. They missed
the point of the miracles. They
missed the lessons. Which should
give us hope for our own lack of
clarity today.
What is the biblical teaching concerning divine
provision?
Divine provision is using God's power to meet
the needs of mankind in every area of life. Total
provision for the total man is God's plan for you
and me. Your spirit, soul and body must prosper.
 LUKE 12:22-34

Do Not Worry
22 
Then Jesus said to his
disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not
worry about your life, what you will eat;
or about your body, what you will
wear.  For life is more than food, and the
23 

body more than clothes. 

 LUKE 12:22-34

24 
Consider the ravens: They do not sow or
reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet
God feeds them. And how much more
valuable you are than birds! 25 Who of you
by worrying can add a single hour to your
life[a]? 26 Since you cannot do this very little
thing, why do you worry about the rest?
 LUKE 12:22-34

“Consider how the wild flowers grow. They

27 

do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even

Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like
one of these. 28 If that is how God clothes the
grass of the field, which is here today, and
tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much
more will he clothe you—you of little faith! 
 LUKE 12:22-34

And do not set your heart on what you

29 

will eat or drink; do not worry about

it. 30 For the pagan world runs after all
such things, and your Father knows that
you need them.  But seek his
31 

kingdom, and these things will be given

to you as well.
 LUKE 12:22-34

“Do not be afraid, little flock, for your

32 

Father has been pleased to give you the

kingdom. 33 Sell your possessions and give
to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves
that will not wear out, a treasure in
heaven that will never fail, where no thief
comes near and no moth destroys. 
 LUKE 12:22-34

For where your treasure is, there

34 

your heart will be also.