And my God will fully supply your every need, according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. Let’s go around the room and everyone say what you are thankful for. It’s a Thanksgiving tradition. Given the holiday’s history, it makes sense that people of our nation would spend time in thanks for our blessings each year. Though, Charles Dickens said that we are somewhat mixed up here in America. Instead of having just one Thanksgiving Day each year, we should have 364. “Use that one day just for complaining and griping,” he said. “Use the other 364 days to thank God each day for the many blessings he has showered upon you.” (sounds like the airing of grievances of Festivus-Seinfeld) Yet, even that one day would still be a day to give thanks. Yes, even though we only have one national holiday day of Thanksgiving, may we thank our God for all he gives and provides every day. Because, as Paul reminds us, GOD MEETS ALL OUR NEEDS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. The entire letter from Paul to the Christians living in Philippi is like one big thank you. After greeting the people with regards, Paul’s first words are, “I thank my God every time I remember you.” (1:3) As Paul is wrapping up his letter, he thanks the Philippians yet again, being more specific as to how he appreciates their gifts to him. “I rejoice greatly in the Lord now that you have revived your concern for me once again.” (4:10) Paul was writing to the Philippians from prison. Hardly a place most people would thank God to be. Yet Paul continually expresses his joy and thanks in this letter. He finds joy, contentment in every situation. To put it in our terms, whether he spent Thanksgiving warm and well-fed or hungry and helpless, he knew how to find something to thank God for. That might not be too different from the first Thanksgiving. The settlers had survived a long voyage to the New World, an even harsher winter, and between sickness and starvation, many of their number lost
their lives. With help from the natives, the following year they stored up enough food to survive the coming winter. It wasn’t just the plenty that caused them to celebrate, but the lack they had experienced before. What about you? Are you experiencing more than you need this Thanksgiving? Or are you just scraping by? If we would go around the room, what would you say? What are you thankful for? The people in my life (family: spouses, parents, children; friends: those celebrating with us, and those who couldn’t make it; coworkers), the food we are about to stuff ourselves with; the stuff that we have, and the stuff we are going to buy the next day… and the lists go on and on. But how many would give thanks for hardship? We might not thank the LORD as much with a burned turkey, a busted refrigerator, or a power outage. What about when we can’t be with family or friends, do to illness, or loss? Are you, like Paul, still thankful even from prison for all God’s goodness to you? But was Paul really thankful for prison, or was he thankful from prison? After all, what led Paul to give thanks in the text was a gift he received from the Philippians. That’s something we could all give thanks for, isn’t it? But Paul was also thankful for prison. Why? He had learned the secret to being content with whatever he had. He was enduring it all for Christ, who promised to meet all his needs. This is why Paul teaches us how he can be content whether he has plenty or whether he is in need. “I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.” (4:13) Contentment, satisfaction with what we have in life, comes from God and his strength, not from us, not from our circumstances. God gives you the strength not to worry when you have little. He also gives you the strength to resist trusting in yourself and your abundance of wealth when you have plenty. He strengthens you through his promise as Paul declared, “And my God will fully supply your every need, according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” (4:19)