Painting God as a Poor Provider

4:11 "Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am."

Paul goes on in v.11 to avoid giving the false impression that he is not content. He is concerned that his expression of joy at the arrival of the Philippian gift might make it seem like he was feeling deprived and unprovided-for until that point.

Why is Paul so concerned about this? Because He does not in any way want to paint God as a poor provider. He wants them to know how much he appreciates their gift and yet not lead them to think that apart from their help, he is desperate.

There are many times that we paint God as a poor provider without being aware of it. Every time we complain, every time we get depressed, every time we have a negative attitude, this is exactly what we’re doing. We are proclaiming to those who hear us and watch us that we have a God who isn’t very good at providing for His little ones.

This is what our lives should be communicating about the Lord:

"The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You have anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows. Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever." (Psalm 23)

What an aroma of gratitude and enjoyment of God will come forth from our lives if this is the way we think about and talk about our lives with God!

This is what it sounds like when we have a bitter and complaining spirit:

"The Lord says He’s my shepherd, but I am always left wanting. He never lets me lie down in green pastures; if there’s any water at all it is meager and dirty. He tortures my soul; He bullies me down the path of His severity. He doesn’t really care about me. He even makes me walk through the valley of the shadow of death, and is continually abandoning me there. He is constantly using His rod and staff to pulverize me. The table before me is always made bitter by the presence of my enemies; He has anointed my head with trouble; My cup is always close to empty. Surely hardship and poverty will follow me all the days of my life as long as I dwell in the house of the Lord . Would you like to know Jesus too?"

The issue, of course, is not what’s happening around us, the issue is how we’re interpreting it. Paul was in chains and often in poverty. And yet what a sweet fragrance of praise comes forth from his heart!

Father, forgive me for all the ways I have painted You as a poor provider by my lack of joy and gratitude. Please help me be like Paul in his determination to not defame You by his words. May my life advertize Your faithfulness like his did, raising up a sweet aroma of contentment.