A verse-by-verse explanation of the chapter.
Pete Maravich and Spiritual EKG
An overview of the principles and applications from the chapter.
Tying the chapter to life with God.
Historical, geographical, and grammatical enrichment of the commentary.
Suggested step-by-step group study of the chapter.
Zeroing the chapter in on daily life.
“Most Christians are being crucified on a cross
between two thieves: yesterday's regret and tomorrow's
worries.”
Warren Wiersbe
IIn chapter 4, Paul charges the Philippian Christians: Do not worry about the future, but pray about your concerns. Only think about good things, and God will give you peace. Even though I have learned to be content with little, I am grateful for your gift to me, and I am happy that God will bless you for it. God will take care of you.
Death was walking toward a man who stopped him and asked, “What are you going to do?” Death said, “I'm going to kill ten thousand people.” The man said, “That's horrible!” Death said, “That's the way it is; that is what I do.”
As the day passed, the man warned everyone he could of Death's plan. At the end of the day, he met Death again. He said, “You said you were going to kill ten thousand people, and yet one hundred thousand people died.” Death explained, “I only killed ten thousand. Worry and fear killed the others.”
Worry is one of the biggest problems we face in life, and it tends to get worse as we get older. Its destruction is sure. Charles Mayo of the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, said, “Worry affects the circulation, the heart, the glands, the whole nervous system, and profoundly affects the health.” Corrie Ten Boom knew the destructive force of worry when she said, “Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow; it empties today of its strength.” Its destruction starts like a little trickle through the mind and cuts out a furrow until it becomes a Grand Canyon and all other thoughts drain into it.
Do you ever engage in imaginary, “what if” thinking? Do you ever blow things up in your mind by jumping to a conclusion or making a mountain out of a molehill? Have you ever looked at a dilemma and imagined the worse-case scenario? If you engage in any of these draining, negative mind games, then you need to know that God's plan for you is peace and joy not worry. His plan for you is rest not stress, peace not turmoil.
In this final lesson from Philippians, you will learn how to keep worry from robbing you of your joy. You will discover how to have peace and joy in your relationships with God and others.
Peace in the Midst of Trouble
MAIN IDEA: Believers are to rejoice always, not to worry but to pray, and to keep our minds fixed on good thoughts. As you do, you will experience God's peace, knowing that God will bless your generosity.
SUPPORTING IDEA: Friends standing fast in the Lord bring joy to other Christians.
4:1. Again Paul demonstrates his love and friendship for the church at Philippi. He addresses them as my brothers and dear friends, that is, as equals under God not as a superior church authority to subordinate members. In this most personal of his writings, Paul expressed his fond affection and the pain of separation by telling them that he both loves and longs for them. They are his joy and crown because their growth in the Christian life makes him proud. He points back to everything he has written in the previous three chapters as the reason to maintain a firm foundation in the Lord. He points forward to the following verses to show how to stand firm. He remains ever concerned with believers' spiritual lives. Deeper spirituality can come but only by heeding the rapid-fire list of imperatives Paul is about to throw at us.
Joy in Unity (vv. 2–3)SUPPORTING IDEA: Be at peace, and help one another.
4:2. Paul addressed a specific situation in the Philippian church, a quarrel between two Christian sisters—Euodia and Syntyche. This discord may be why he wrote what he did in Philippians 2:1–4. Although he believed their conflict would negatively affect the entire church, Paul did not reveal the nature of their problem or take sides. He did appeal tactfully for unity by asking them to agree with each other in the Lord. To agree is a strong Pauline word which NIV translates with several different English equivalents (phronein, 1:7; 2:2,5; 3:15,[16 KJV],19; 4:2,10; compare Rom. 8:5; 11:20; 12:3,16; 14:6; 15:5; 1 Cor. 13:11; 2 Cor. 13:11; Gal. 5:10; Col. 3:2; 1 Tim. 6:17). The word basically means “to think, form an opinion,” or “to set one's mind on something.” It came to mean to be in agreement, to live in harmony. This is the picture of the Christian church standing firm in Christ.
4:3. Paul asked a specific member of the congregation to help these women. Despite numerous guesses, no one knows who the loyal yokefellow was. Some even think Paul referred to the entire church. At least he set a precedent for church disputes to be settled by mediation within the church. Paul uses strong, urgent language to insist that the church get the problem solved and get back to the Christian position of standing firm “in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel” (1:27; compare 2:2–4). Disagreements even among mature Christians are not new. Mature Christians do not allow these disagreements to interfere with love and unity in the body of Christ.
Quarreling is not the nature of the church nor was it of the women involved. They had fought alongside Paul like gladiators in the arena to spread the gospel message. God had written their names in heaven's registry of citizens alongside all the others to whom he promised eternal life. Paul sets the women on an equal level with others whom the Philippian church knew as faithful soldiers of the cross. Paul names one specifically—Clement. We know nothing else about him. The third bishop of Rome was named Clement, but we have no evidence to connect the two persons.
Joy in God's Peace (vv. 4–9)SUPPORTING IDEA: Rejoice in the Lord, pray in all things, and keep your mind on positive thoughts, and as you do, God's peace will be yours.
4:4. Again Paul returns to the key theme of this letter: joy. He calls believers to rejoice at all times and repeats the call for emphasis. This includes the bad times as well as the good (compare Jas. 1:2–5). Christians should be known as joyful people. Such joy resides not in circumstances or positive attitudes toward life. Joy reigns in the heart only when Christ is Lord of life. Joy is always in the Lord.
4:5. A practical way to have joy is by exhibiting gentleness to all. This lets the church and world see that you belong to the Lord. The Greek word epieikeμs means “yielding, gentle, kind.” It includes the ability to go beyond the letter of the law in treating others, to provide something beside strict justice. It does not insist on personal rights or privileges. Christ embodied such gentleness in his dealing with all people (2 Cor. 10:1; compare 1 Tim. 3:3; Titus 3:2; Jas. 3:17; 1 Pet. 2:18). Why should we surrender personal rights for others? The Lord is near. In both time and space, God is available to us. He is not far removed in heaven but present in our hearts to hear and relate to us. His nearness also means he knows us and what we are. In time, God is near, for he is coming again. Then we will receive our rewards for living like Christ rather than like the world.
4:6. Joy replaces anxiety in life, so Paul advises the Philippians not to be anxious about anything. The cure for anxiety? Prayer! Worry and anxiety come from focusing on your circumstances such as imprisonment or persecution which Paul and the Philippians faced. Anxiety or worry doesn't accomplish anything, but prayer does (Jas. 5:16). Jesus warned against worry which demonstrates a lack of trust in God (Matt. 6:25–34).
4:7. The peace of God comes from prayer involving both asking God for earthly needs and thanking God for his presence and provision. The expression appears only here in the New Testament. God's peace reflects the divine character, which lives in serenity, totally separate from all anxiety and worry. Such peace is like a squad of Roman soldiers standing guard and protecting you from worry and fret. Such peace is not a dream of the human mind. The human mind cannot even comprehend this kind of peace, wholeness, and quiet confidence. Such peace protects the two organs of worry—heart and mind that produce feelings and thoughts. Such protection is real, available in Christ Jesus. Those who do not trust and commit their life to Christ have no hope for peace.
4:8. Continuing his strong imperative style, Paul suggested what should occupy our minds rather than anxiety and worry. Paul understood the influence of one's thoughts on one's life. Right thinking is the first step toward righteous living. What is right thinking? It is thinking devoted to life's higher goods and virtues. Thus Paul picked up a practice from secular writers of his day and listed a catalog of virtues that should occupy the mind. Such virtues are not limited to the Christian community but are recognized even by pagan cultures.
True is that which corresponds to reality. Anxiety comes when false ideas and unreal circumstances occupy the mind instead of truth. Ultimately, thinking on the truth is thinking on Jesus, who is the truth (John 14:6; Eph. 4:21). Noble refers to lofty, majestic, awesome things, things that lift the mind above the world's dirt and scandal. Right refers to that which is fair to all parties involved, that which fulfills all obligations and debts. Thinking right thoughts steers one away from quarrels and dissensions to think of the needs and rights of the other party. Pure casts its net of meaning over all of life from sexual acts to noble thoughts to moral and ritual readiness for worship. Thinking on the pure leads one away from sin and shame and toward God and worship. Lovely is a rare word referring to things that attract, please, and win other people's admiration and affection. Such thoughts bring people together in peace rather than separating them in fighting and feuding. Admirable is something worthy of praise or approval, that which deserves a good reputation. Pondering ways to protect one's moral and spiritual image in the community leads away from worries about circumstances and possessions that project a different image to the community and which thinking cannot change. The catalog of virtues Paul sums up in two words: excellent and praiseworthy. The first encompasses what is best in every area of life, the philosophical good for which every person should strive. Here it is especially the ethical best a person can achieve. The second term refers to that which deserves human praise.
The catalog of virtues thus reflects the best life a person can live and the best reputation a person can thereby achieve in the community.
Finally, in this verse, Paul gets to his point: think on these things. That, joined with prayer will relieve all anxieties and lead one to praise God and live life the way he desires.
4:9. Is such noble thinking possible. Paul says, “Yes, it is. Look at my example.” This is not braggadocio or pride. It is the state every Christian should live in, a state of being an example for all who observe you. The example includes Paul's teaching, the tradition he received from the apostles and passed on, his reputation for Christian living, and the Christian lifestyle they saw him practice. If they obey Paul, God will bless them with his peace (see v. 7; John 14:27; 16:33).
Joy in Contentment (vv. 10–13)SUPPORTING IDEA: Expressions of love from fellow believers enrourage us, but contentment comes not from physical circumstances but from relying on divine strength.
4:10. Paul shows his attitude of gratitude by expressing joy over their gifts which Epaphroditus had delivered to him (Phil. 2:25), gifts which continued a long history of the Philippian church's supporting Paul (see 4:16; 2 Cor. 11:8–9). The gifts provided a problem for Paul. He consistently refused to accept payment for his ministerial work, not wanting to burden the churches (1 Cor. 4:8–13; 9:1–18; 2 Cor. 11:7–10; 1 Thess. 2:5–12; 2 Thess. 3:7–12). Thus he never used the term thank you as he wrote the Philippians, and he delayed using the term gift until verses 17–18. He concentrated instead on the attitude of the Philippians and the relationship the gift represented. He used a unique verb to express the freshness of their concern for him, saying it had blossomed afresh like a flower in springtime.
Why the Philippians had a time when they could not show concern for Paul we do not know. Perhaps it had to do with the distance to his Roman imprisonment, the lack of opportunity to send messengers that far, or some problems in the Philippian church. Paul cast all that away as past history. The emotion of the moment was joy at renewed relationship and renewed expression of care for one in trouble (see v. 14).
4:11. Paul makes clear that he was not hinting for another gift. He has solved his economic problems. How? Not with new resources but with a new attitude. He is content no matter what his circumstances. What is such contentment? It is a term apparently taken over from Stoic philosophers describing an inner spirit of freedom and discipline, the ability to conquer circumstances and situations rather than be conquered by them. Such an attitude is the exact opposite of worry and anxiety.
4:12–13. Paul spoke from experience. He had been through the extremes: surplus and poverty. He knew how to weather the dangers of both. This was his secret. Greek and Roman religions had secret initiation rites. Some religions and philosophies prided themselves on secret knowledge. Paul had a different kind of secret. His secret was his reliance on Christ, a reliance gained through his Christian experience. Stoics relied on personal will to gain contentment. Paul did not claim such personal inner strength. His strength came from Jesus living in him. Paul was in Christ and thus content no matter what his circumstances.
J. Vernon McGee writes:
Whatever Christ has for you to do, He will supply the power. Whatever gift He gives you, He will give the power to exercise that gift. A gift is a manifestation of the Spirit of God in the life of the believer. As long as you function in Christ, you will have power. He certainly does not mean that he is putting into your hand unlimited power to do anything you want to do. Rather, He will give you the enablement to do all things in the context of His will for you (McGee, Thru the Bible, V:327–8).
The Christian life is not only difficult; it is also impossible unless we acquire the power to live it through Christ. To be sure, this truth does not come naturally to us but must be learned.
Joy in Christ's Provision (vv. 14–20)SUPPORTING IDEA: Give what others need, and you will find that God will supply all your needs.
4:14. Sometimes the Lord works through his redeemed people to meet human needs. Contentment did not do away with troubled circumstances. Paul knew operating from a Roman jail cell, chained to a Roman soldier, was not operating from a position of power. He was in trouble. The present Epaphroditus brought from Philippi helped. Paul wants the Philippians to know this and to know how commendable he considered their loving action to be. 4:15. The Philippians' gift was not unexpected. They had treated Paul this way before in the early days of his ministry in Europe (Acts 16:12–40). Paul described their relationship with him at that time in technical accounting terms. No other church entered into a financial partnership with him. In a sense, the Philippian letter is Paul's official receipt, acknowledging and giving credit for the church's gift to him.
4:16. Paul went directly from Philippi to Thessalonica (Acts 16:12–17:1). Though we have no record of them, there the Philippians began sending him gifts (compare 2 Cor. 8:1–9). Thus Paul acknowledges the depth and length of his relationship with the Philippian church. He also acknowledged that he had need even when he learned to be content.
4:17. Again the apostle reveals that the motive for his thankfulness of their partnership in his ministry was not to secure another gift. His letter was not a fund-raising attempt. He wanted them to realize that their deeds would not go unnoticed. God is marking them down in the credit column of the heavenly ledger. They have a deposit in heaven that will yield rich dividends. (See Jesus' words in Matt. 6:19–21.)
4:18. Paul finds another way to show he is not writing to ask for another gift. He retains his accounting vocabulary. The letter he sends with Epaphroditus is his receipt marked “paid in full” and more. His storehouse is full. His needs were met through the Philippians' gifts. These good deeds not only satisfied Paul but were a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. Giving to God's servant for God's work is a gift to God, a first-class offering (compare Rom. 12:1; Heb. 13:16).
4:19. Their obedience and generosity will bring God's reward. This is Paul's promise to the Philippians, according to the NIV. However, other translators follow different manuscript evidence or interpret the Greek tense differently and read this as Paul's prayer that God may fulfill all their needs. Either reading gives encouragement and expectation to the readers. As they met all of Paul's needs (v. 16), so God will meet all their needs. God does this out of the abundance of his treasury, a glorious resource without limits. How does one draw from these unlimited resources? Through Christ Jesus. Only those in him have access to God's account and can ask him to meet their needs.
4:20. Paul concluded the body of the letter with a doxology praising God. The thought of God's providing our needs in Christ naturally led to praise and thanksgiving. The God of glory and honor is not far removed from us, however. He remains our … Father ready to bring love and resources to meet our needs. Thus, glory belongs to him forever—into the unseen ages.
Conclusion (vv. 21–23)SUPPORTING IDEA: Believers seek fellowship with one another and wish the best for one another in Christ Jesus.
4:21. Final greetings with a benediction of grace are a regular feature of Paul's letters. He concludes this letter by sending his greetings and the greetings of the Christians with him in Rome. The saints are all the members of the Philippian church set aside to serve God. They are saints not because of holy lives they live but because they are in Christ Jesus, the source of holiness and thus of sainthood.
4:22. Caesar's household does not necessarily mean the blood relatives of the Roman emperor. Probably, Paul was referring to those employed by the emperor, perhaps including the Roman guards that had become believers, possibly as a result of Paul's confinement.
4:23. The realization of this benediction would hopefully increase the harmony of the church by causing each believer to cherish the grace of theLord Jesus Christ and bring a joyous peace among them. This fulfilled Paul's opening statement in Philippians 1:2.
MAIN IDEA REVIEW: Believers are to rejoice always, not to worry but to pray, and to keep our minds fixed on good thoughts. As you do, you will experience God's peace, knowing that God will bless your generosity.
A number of years ago a very rich man wanted a painting that would portray peace. He commissioned three artists to paint peaceful scenarios. After a month the artists returned with their paintings completed. Each painting was placed in the foyer, covered by a veil, waiting the moment of revelation.
The first artist unveiled his painting of a beautiful mountain scene. The mountains were covered with green aspens and spring flowers. The snowcapped, majestic peaks rose up to meet a blue, cloudless sky. The rich man said, “I like it. This mountain scene is indeed peaceful.”
Then the second artist removed the cloth veil draped over his masterpiece. His painting was of a beautiful ocean view. The sand was crystal white. The sea was blue and tranquil. The sun was slowly setting in the sky as its reflection danced across the placid sea. In the center of the picture were two people relaxing in lawn chairs at sea's edge, their feet dangling in the water. The rich man was delighted. He said, “I love the beach. I love this. What a splendid portrayal of peace.”
The third artist reluctantly pulled the veil from his painting, and the rich man looked with puzzlement. This artist had painted a waterfall scene. In this scene a raging river is falling hundreds of feet, crashing on the rocks below. The rich man said, “How is this peaceful? I've stood beside a waterfall, and it's anything but peaceful. The sound of the water is deafening. All I see is turbulence. Where is the peace?”
Then, the third artist said, “Look closer, sir. Notice I painted the waterfall from the side. Look closely under the fall, behind the water, and you'll see a cleft in the rock. Do you see it?”
Leaning forward, the rich man replied, “Yes, I see it, and I also see a bird perched in that cleft. The artist responded, “That's it, sir! That's the peace! In the midst of the noisy turbulence, the bird has found a peaceful place. That, my friend is real peace; the ability to find peace in the midst of troubled chaos.”
The point of this powerful story is the point of Philippians. Very seldom do we in the midst of stressful relationships and undaunting demands get to escape to the peaceful mountains or tranquil sea. Like the waterfall scene,most of life is lived in the middle of noise, rushing activity, turbulence, chaos, with things crashing down all around us. This realistic painting of peace brings good news. In the midst of the trouble, Jesus is the cleft in the rock. We can find peace in him. He is the shelter in the midst of the storm.
Peace is not the absence of trouble. It is not circumstantial bliss or “life without a hitch.” Rather, peace is the presence of Christ in our lives. When we come to Christ in the midst of troubling relationships and dilemmas, we find both the “peace of God” (v. 7) as well as “the God of peace (v. 9).
Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matt. 11:28). Peter comparably said, “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you” (1 Pet. 5:7). As you perch in the cleft of the rock, as you abide in Christ, may you, in the midst of chaos and worry, enjoy “the peace of God, which transcends all understanding ” (Phil. 4:7). Always remember, joy comes in the midst of worry and stress through the person and peace of Christ!
PRINCIPLES
APPLICATION
Pete Maravich and Spiritual EKG
Since the giving of money is a great source of joy and happiness, it comes as no surprise that Paul ends his letter (4:10–23) talking about money. While many people in America would be willing to sacrifice the misery of others to gain their own happiness, the Bible teaches a different definition of happiness. Paul contends that joy and happiness are the by-products of what Christians give, not what they receive. Joy and happiness are not something you receive when you go out and get. Rather, they are what you get when you go out and give. Zealously, he argues that joy and happiness are not something you get through financial acquisition. To the contrary, you can only gain joy and happiness through financial contribution. Hoarders worry about their money, while givers experience great peace and contentment in Christ (v. 13).
Some years ago, unexpectedly, Pete Maravich, one of the greatest college basketball players ever to play the game, dropped dead from a heart attack. He still holds the record for the most points scored by a college player. He had a marvelous ten-year professional career in the National Basketball Association. The sad thing about his death was that a simple EKG could have revealed his congenital heart problem and saved his life.
Paul teaches in this chapter that your attitude toward money is an EKG. It will give you an accurate readout of the state of your spiritual heart. Your attitude toward money, Paul teaches, will tell you more about your spiritual life than any other factor in your life. Your attitude toward money is an EKG that will tell you:
With each financial contribution we make toward God's kingdom and the cause of Christ, we credit our account in heaven (v. 17). In a sense, all I really have is what I give away. A rich tycoon died and went to heaven. Saint Peter led him on a tour. As they passed a beautiful mansion, he asked Peter, “Is this my place?”
Peter said, “No, that is your maid's place.
The rich man exclaimed, “My maid's place! Wow, I can't wait to see what I get.” Walking on, they came upon a really huge mansion, bigger than the White House. The tycoon said, “Then, is that my place?”
“No, that's for your gardener,” Peter said.
“My gardener lives here!” the man shouted. “Then my place has got to be incredible.”
As they went down another street, they came upon a little shanty. Peter said, “Welcome home. This is your place.” Alarmed, the tycoon snorted, “My place? What are you talking about? I was worth five hundred times what the maid and gardener were worth.
Peter replied, “I'm sorry, but we did the best we could with what you sent us.”
Dear God, the struggles of life constantly rob me of peace. Too often, I fret and worry. Too often, I feel the stress and strain of anxiety. You are the God of peace, so I ask for grace to live peacefully with others. Remind me to pray in faith and not to worry in unbelief. Empower me to think pure and holy thoughts. Teach me the peace of generosity. For it's in the name of the Prince of peace that I pray. Amen.
A. Stand firm (v. 1)
The key phrase in 4:1 is that a Christian—to win the battle against Satan and the world—must stand firm in the Lord. Again, this thrust reminds us of Paul's final words to the Ephesian Christians. He wrote, “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power” (Eph. 6:10). No Christian will ever win the race purely in his own strength and through human effort. Philippians 4:1, then, is a summary statement—a concise reminder of the strategy Paul had already clearly presented and illustrated. This verse is also introductory—a transitional statement to prepare the Philippians for some final thoughts and exhortations.
B. Yokefellow (v. 3)
This word (syzugos), meaning “true comrade or companion,” is found in the New Testament only here. It is made up of a word referring to an ox yoke and a preposition meaning “with.” Some consider the word to be a proper name, while others believe it was a reference to a particularly well-trusted associate of Paul. Opinion varies as to whom Paul referred. Possibilities include Epaphroditus, Lydia, Timothy, Luke, Barnabas, or Silas. Some have speculated that Paul had a wife who was his “yokefellow.” Apparently the Philippians knew whom he meant, but we are left to guess.
In the world of turmoil in which we live, the peace of God is an attractive concept. Yet it is not always understood. We sometimes fight images in our mind of angels slouching on couches, listlessly picking at a harp, trying, after a million years, to think of a new tune. To English-speakers, peace generates images of war being finished. For us, peace is an absence of conflict either internal or external. The biblical idea of peace is much broader, however.
Old Testament Hebrew speaks of shalom, completeness, wholeness, living well. It may refer to wellness of body (health) or a right relationship between two people or parties. The New Testament parallel term is eirene, a term not so broad in meaning as shalom but often carrying Hebrew overtones in the New Testament contexts.
The peace of God means we are no longer enemies with God. Through the blood of Christ on the cross, God removed the enmity our sin caused with him. He did even more. He provided inner peace and personal fullness. Such peace with God allows us to know that present circumstances may be troublesome, but God will bring all things to his perfect completion in the end. That gives us a hope that produces calmness and stability, qualities only God can give. Peace with God is thus an inner calm derived from knowing God will cause everything to work together for good in our lives. This gift of peace follows our faith and settles over our lives. It gives us a satisfaction and richness we could know in no other way. Peace with God can be ours if and only if we believe and depend on the promises of God.
D. Macedonia (v. 15)
Macedonia includes the northern-most part of modern Greece and southern sections of present-day Bulgaria and the former Yugoslavia. It became a Roman province in 146 B.C. In Paul's day it was a senatorial province with Thessalonica as its capital. Other major cities included Amphipolis, Apollonia, Berea, Neapolis, and Philippi. Its geography consisted of high mountains, broad rivers, and fertile valleys. The region contained rich farmland, timber, deposits of gold and silver, and good harbors. The general language of Macedonia was Greek, while the official language of the Roman colony was Latin. The gospel came to Macedonia through Paul (Acts 16:9–12).
E. Thessalonica (v. 16)
Thessalonica was the capital city of the province of Macedonia. It was situated on the great road, Via Egnatia, whose five hundred miles of pavement connected Rome with the entire region north of the Aegean Sea. It was an important city for the spread of the gospel. Paul first visited and founded a church there on his second missionary journey after his ministry in Philippi (Acts 17:1–4). His initial letter to this church, First Thessalonians, believed to have been written around A.D. 51, is considered among the earliest New Testament books.
F. Riches in Christ (v. 19)
The Bible consistently and repeatedly portrays God and God alone as the Creator of all that exists. It insists that he creates and distributes all wealth. Several verses from Psalms draw the consequences of God's wealth: “I have no need of a bull from your stall or of goats from your pens, for every animal of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills” (Ps. 50:9–10). Today, we would say that he needs no American Express card from us as he owns it all.
J. Dwight Pentecost pens:
God can meet the multitude of needs of an infinite number of His children because He is infinite in the riches of His glory. A man who has limited funds will find those funds depleted as he gives to different causes; but if a man has unlimited funds, he can give without limit, and there will be no depletion of his supply. Since God is infinite in glory, God can give to an unlimited number of needs and still have an infinite supply left. When God gives to His obedient children, He gives according to His infinite riches in glory (The Joy of Living, Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1973, 244).
A. INTRODUCTION
C. CONCLUSION: PETE MARAVICH AND SPIRITUAL EKG
