I can do all things through him who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13)
God's provision of day-by-day future grace enables Paul to be filled or to be hungry, to prosper or suffer, to have abundance or go wanting.
"I can do all things" really means "all things," not just easy things. "All things" means, "Through Christ I can hunger and suffer and be in want." This puts the stunning promise of verse 19 in its proper light: "My God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus."
What does "every need of yours" mean in view of Philippians 4:19? It means "all that you need for God-glorifying contentment." Paul's love for the Philippians flowed from his contentment in God, and his contentment flowed from his faith in the future grace of God's infallible provision.
It's obvious then that covetousness is exactly the opposite of faith. It's the loss of contentment in Christ so that we start to crave other things to satisfy the longings of our hearts. And there's no mistaking that the battle against covetousness is a battle against unbelief and a battle for faith in future grace.
Whenever we sense the slightest rise of covetousness in our hearts, we must turn on it and fight it with all our might using the weapons of faith.
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This devotional is written by John Piper. For more information about Piper's ministry, writing, and books, visit DesiringGod.org.
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