“And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.”
– Philippians 4:19
The work of missions is done most effectively in partnership. This is almost always the way it is practiced today. Even the apostle Paul partnered with a group of senders during his missionary efforts.
In Philippians 4:10-20, Paul is writing what looks like a thank you letter to some of his supporters. The letter sounds familiar to us: Paul thanks the church for their concern for him, he thanks them for sharing with him in his troubles, and he thanks them for supporting him materially. Missionaries today write similar letters.
But then beginning in verse 18, Paul writes in a way that is not so common today. Speaking of the gifts that the church had sent to support him, Paul says that “they are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God.” He goes on to say that “my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” Paul seems to be saying that God will meet their needs as a direct result of their support! It seems a presumptuous thing for him to say. I have understood this verse as an encouraging promise to Christians everywhere – “my God will meet all your needs” – not as a reward for supporting missionaries. But there is more to this verse than I have understood.
It is easy to slip into the habit of seeing partnership in missions as a matter of senders forming a supporting cast around a missionary who is sent. The focal point may become the missionary. When we put God at the center, however, we begin to understand that the same God who has called missionaries to go has called supporters to support. Senders and the sent are each one called by God. Each does their part – not in service to each other, but in service to God. From this perspective, it is not so difficult to see that God doesbless everyone who responds to God’s call. God blesses senders in their sending and go-ers in their going – and meets all the needs of those who walk in obedience to his call on their lives. The work of missions is a partnership. It is Christians everywhere partnering with God in his mission around the world.