Philippians 4:9-20 KJV
9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.
10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity.
11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
14 Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction.
15 Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only.
16 For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity.
17 Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.
18 But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God.
19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
20 Now unto God and our Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

We hear of ten fold given back after one tithes but is there any wait to it. I seen poor people give all they had to the church and still be hungry and I seen people in need give out of what they have not and receive nothing. Yet I also seen people receive from God what was needed but not in the way they wanted it or expected it. Often people give to someone with also expecting something back. A poor man gave a not needed gift to a man of means. He did not do to get anything back but it was just a gift. What was the gift, was not important. The poor man gave out of substance not out of his need. The poor man walked into a parking lot after getting out of his vehicle and money fell from heaven, for on the ground laid ten fold back of the cost of the gift. Strange story for some, but in truth sometimes with God it happen just like that. Some might try to say someone placed it there for the man to find, only one problem the wind was whipping and the wind was about to pick it up again when the money was seen by the man. Penny might of been left but not cash. The supply was not a need, or a want, but gift from above out of the blue. Gambler would say it was just his lucky day. Yet to the poor man and his wife it was like God was sending a blessing not out of need but out of love.

God takes Moses into the wilderness and the people were hungry, and grumbled before God supplied. God was teaching the people to ask for food. Yet not until they needed healing did they learn to ask for God mercy when the poison vipers bit them. Desperation, survival with obedience, or survial because they learn to ask, we will never fully known, it probably different for each person for some would never see the promise land because of disobedient of not going into the promise land the first time they approached it. Elijah his need seem to be supplied without question. God even provide a raven to feed Elijah. And there is David hungry he took the special priest bread for his men after asking for food and that very priest was killed for his actions by the King Saul. Five thousand and also four thousand people feed by Jesus on merger amount of food, and all went home hungry. Hannah prayed for a baby, Sarah did not pray for a child or so it seems for one was promised to her, but she gave up her promise for a time. Lord came and visited Abraham and Sodom and Gomorrah was destroyed. Did the destruction produce new faith in them to try once more? They were too old to have children. Elizabeth and Zachariah long for kids, and promise also came when they were to old. Samson was conceived by a woman who had been baren as well. The gift of knowledge and instruction on how to build the ark came to Noah from God. The ark a need for survival of the humanity. Each gift for a purpose and each gift given seen after the event as something very remarkable and truly from God. Sometimes out of need, sometime out of want, sometimes out purpose but all out of purpose for his eternal plan for the nation of Israel, and people of faith. Each one given out of a based on a measure of faith, that faith would allow God to give. Israel it took longer for God provision to be sought after.

Are you seeking God's gifts, God's reward and by what means are you doing this? Faith and obedience. Faith beginning as small as a mustard seed, or obedience based on right thing to do or God's instructions. I have learned over the years to hold on to what God hands me, if I do not know the purpose of it being given. The intent may of not been for us but to help someone else in someway. It maybe on a need we will have and do not know about it, yet. God provides sometimes before the need. When I tell you as a child of God that God will supply all your needs according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus (Phillipians 4:19), it does not mean Thanksgiving will come with all the trimmings but it might. It means you will not be without want. In Psalms 23 it says the Lord is who my Shepherd, I shall not want. Want is a need or desire not meet. If God is your shepherd, If Christ be shepherd and he promises supply then if roast beef you eat maybe your supply. If you eat cheese sandwich is that supply. If it is a loaf of toast alone is it supply. If it brown beans is it supply?

Paul said he knew what it was to be hungry, and yet he trusted God would supply all his needs. Was he talking from fasting experience or a journey and no food for the extend stay on the trip til he could reach a near by village. Paul was a maker of tents on part of his journey supply of work and food came together. Yet do we understand some supply is not just handed but requires our labor. Noah built ark for his safety, but it was God's design for his salvation. Sarah and Elizabeth waiting on the Lord for the right time of the birth of Isaac and John the Baptist. People chosen for the task despite the age it was still God's timing.

Our supply coming on time but not always in our time. Meaning we hungry today but a feast is a day away. Our need of cash ahead of time, but the problem not known til later. Responsibility to hold til time of use. Yet do we hold or spend it lavishly. God's supply comes with responsibility. Noah built an ark in hundred years. I think of how much time it took to build the ark, and wonder how long each process it took with primitive tools. He had to work and feed his family, so it would of been done in time spared. How many hours a week did he work on it and how many times did he concern himself with those hours. How many days did he eat and drink and was merry during the course of his work when it would seem idle to us who know the end result of a huge flood coming. Was his delay in work God delay too. A preacher of righteousness it is said of him in Peter. Yet the supply of time for anyone else that might be saved, lost to the closing of the door because no one else believed.

Fiery furance of Shadrach Meshach and Abedinego killed the men who threw them in, and yet they walked around the furance freely with a fourth man believed to be Christ. Daniel being tossed into a pit with lions, yet their mouths were shut by angels. We fear what we can not understand, and yet God supply seem endless for the need and time of event. He did not always remove the problem but open the jail doors of prisons of knowing God would provide for their needs. As a beleiver we learn to walk in that mentality, but most of us do not walk in it immediately on faith beyond our salvation. There is a learning curve to faith and measure of faith given to each of us to do God's work. If you think about it, it so those other more timid about coming to know and believe in God and Christ Jesus can see we alla re still learning to have faith especially when all hope seems gone, that God will supply the need because He is our Shepherd and Lord of our life. Nothing changes in this regard.

One is forced on the street and one gets wet with rain is lack of supply. Did the rain hurt you, or was it your time to be ill to be force to hospital that cared for you and help you into low income housing. Things like that happen. If you can believe God will supply the need, does not mean suffering will not occur also. It is painful sometimes. However our suffering is for a purpose as well. Paul was stone, beaten and so forth for faith. Jesus went to the cross for our sins and suffered and died but was resurrected on the third day as symbol of hope of eternal life with him.

Point being supply is not on our demand but God's timing. We can understand about his supply when it begins to be evident in our own life. With that evidence it does increase our faith. It does bring us to balance of our faith. If we trust we know God's provision is greater. Let us learn to have faith, even in difficult times even in times of non difficulty. God is not just a God in storms but normal everyday beautiful rain free days and spring like weather.

Countdown to Thanksgiving day 4 more days: Thankful for God's promise of supply in our life.

Dear Heavenly Father thank you for your blessings in our life and for your supply in our need, in Jesus name I pray Amen.

Continual Scripture Study: Psalm 23:1-6 KJV
1 A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.