“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:19

God as our provider has become a lot more of a reality to me as I walk into new seasons of life. I had always heard that He supplies us with all our needs, and I can testify to many. Though it never crossed my mind as much as it does now.

I have been an “adult” now, according to society, for nearly five years, but it is just now feeling as though that title is actually being expected from me. In certain areas of my life, I feel like I am years more mature than others my age, while in different areas I feel like I have the mental capacity to take on the responsibilities but not the actual resources, intelligence, or experience to act as a real adult. I just feel stuck in the pit of inadequacy.

As I was reading this book the other day, I learned about Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. It was fascinating. But what I found leaving me in true awe was that it identified the very things human beings were seemingly created to long for and seek out…which just so happens to match exactly with what God freely offers us.

Let’s look at the book of Philippians for a moment. In the final chapter, we see the writer encourage believers to pursue all that is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy (v. 8). It is in those very things, he writes, that when a believer sets their mind to them, the God of peace will be with them.

Not just the peace of God. But the great Giver Himself. Of all the names the writer could have called the Lord, I find it fascinating that he chose; the One who is perfect peace.

This matters because he did not say that presence of God was dependent on the circumstance of the believer. Nor was it dependent on the achievements of the one who is seeking God. It is simply based on whether the believer chooses to direct their mind and heart to the Giver or not.

Peace is a gift that can easily be overlooked. It is defined as, “free from disturbance; tranquility”. Or in the words of Christianity.com , “the harmony and calmness of body, mind, and spirit that supersedes earthly circumstances.”

It is often in situations of great anger or fear that compels people to ask for peace. But recently I have found that we need this in every waking moment if we long to live in a way that truly believes God is greater than all things and worth fully devoting ourselves to. For it’s not just the peace God offers that we should live for, but His presence itself.

Maslow’s theory identifies, in a hierarchy format, what humans as a species are wired to pursue. The status of those achievements or the security in those things, is what we often allow to determine our value or level of success in life.

This theory was broken down in the book I am reading for the sake of helping others understand how to communicate better. That includes how to communicate the following: helpful responses based on another’s stage in the pyramid, ways of influencing others based on their current motivations in life, and what drives people to act the way they are acting.

Although I find those goals intriguing, I could not help but feel one of the most valuable results of understanding this theory is the ability to help others feel heard and see potential for growth.

That brings us to the mind blowing point; is the word and being of God not sufficient for each and every stage of this hierarchy?

Track with me here. If the only way one can move onto the next stage of Maslow’s hierarchy pyramid is to feel security in the previous stage, then the contentment we see encouraged in Philippians must mean that God not only understands our needs and meets us where we are, but He also provides fulfillment for every single one of those needs.

Our God is sufficient for us. Him alone.

We can sometimes get so caught up in the things we think we need from God, but friends, He is offering something far greater…His presence; unity with Him. What more can we long for than the One who makes all things whole and redeemed?

At the end of Philippians 4, we see the writers response to the faithful believers who were helping him on his missions. After he expressed his gratitude, he left them with this word of encouragement, “and my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus.” (v. 19)

These people were believers in Jesus and knew there was value in spreading the Gospel. All that they gave the writer was not because they wanted glory for themselves, but in verse 18 the writer calls their giving, “a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice pleasing to God.” An offering of that kind was not just spare change they didn’t mind giving to God’s cause, but a true sacrifice, something that costed them. For the only sacrifices “pleasing to God” when He originally called for such a practice, were those from a believer who was aware of their need for Him, repentant of their disobedience, and honest in their love for Him.

So in response to such great devotion to the Kingdom of God, the writer reminds them of the God they are entrusting with great offerings. He will supply every need. Not want. Not what the world says we need. But what we were designed to need for the sake of bringing glory to God.

Maslow’s theory highlights these needs: physiological (food, air, water, etc.), safety (employment, property, health, etc.), love and belonging (friendship, family, connection, etc.), esteem (respect, status, freedom, etc.), and self-actualization (purpose).

As I read further on each of these and the response people have when these needs are not met, I was dumbfounded that I could see how clearly God was aware of these. It had never crossed my mind before, until I read about;

…the need for physiological security and recalled how God has dressed the lilies and provided food for the birds, that we may be all the more sure of His care and providence for us. (Luke 12)

…the need for safety and remembered how God has given us a Spirit, not of fear, but of life and peace for each and every second we breathe, for who can be against the one God is for? (Romans 8)

…the need for love and belonging and recalled how God has promised us time and time again to be with us as His children and friends of Christ, to the very end of the age. (Matthew 28/John 15)

…the need for esteem and remembered the freedom found in the resurrection of Christ and the new creation we are now because our value is not determined by our works, but He who defeated death itself. (1 Corinthians 15)

…the need for self-actualization and recalled the purpose God had ordained for us far before we were even created, that which no failure or other power may strip from us, for we are made new and made alive for good in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Ephesians 2:10)

God knows what we need because He wove every piece of us together. As much as we may feel misunderstood sometimes, let His Word remind you that you are never too lost or inadequate for His purpose. For all He has tasked you to focus is not because you are good enough, but because He wants to work through you as a willing vessel.

My dear friend, the Lord knows what we long for. He knows what we feel weak in. And He knows the remedy for it all. But no one can force another to experience the presence of the God of peace. Only you can choose to direct your heart and mind to Him. Will you let Him be sufficient for you?

Thoughts to Consider:

Where do you feel you are on the pyramid of Maslow’s theory of needs?

Is there one stage you feel deficient in? Why?

How can you begin letting God’s presence and Word impact your idea of fulfillment in life?

Consider the contentment and freedom you can find as you truly acknowledge God as the Lord that will provide.

“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:19