God’s Riches in Glory in Christ Jesus

4:19 "And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus."

The ample supply God gives His people is "according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus." To some this may sound like high-sounding nonsense, but in this phrase is the secret to Christian joy and abundant living.

The reason that Paul was turned from a vicious murderer into the greatest Christian that ever lived is because he caught a glimpse of God’s "riches in glory" which are displayed "in Christ Jesus."

It is because of having seen these riches that Paul can say that he can be content even in poverty (v.11-13). In the light of such wealth, earthly want does not faze him. It is because of having seen these riches that Paul can say he counts all things as loss compared to the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus his Lord (3:7-10). It is because of having seen these riches that Paul can say that for him "to live is Christ, and to die is gain" (1:21) since the glory of Christ has drowned out all other attractions and interests. It is because of having seen these riches that Paul can say "forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus" (3:13-14). The full attainment of the treasure he has glimpsed had become an all-consuming passion for Paul. Why? Because he saw that God’s "riches in glory in Christ Jesus" were so spectacular that everything else paled in comparison. It is because of having seen these riches that Paul, reflecting upon them in v.19, then breaks into spontaneous worship in v. 20: "Now to our God and Father be the glory forever and ever. Amen."

Is this glimpsing God’s "riches in glory in Christ Jesus" something only for supersaints like Paul? Not at all. Rather it is this glimpsing that turns mediocre men into super-conquerors (Rom.8:37). This was Paul’s prayer for all God’s people:

"I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints..." (Eph.1:18)

This is the issue that makes all the difference in the world in our lives. When we get a glimpse of the treasure that there is for us in God, we will gladly give up everything in order to obtain it:

“The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in the field, which a man found and hid again; and from joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.” (Matt.13:44)

When good king Hezekiah was on the throne of Judah, he was visited by the son of the king of Babylon (2Kings 20:12ff.). Hezekiah showed this visiting dignitary all the precious treasures of the kingdom. Having been given a glimpse of these rich treasures, Babylon eventually attacked Judah and carried off all the treasures. This story illustrates the power that rich treasure can hold over people. That one glimpse produced such a determination to have what was seen that Babylon went to great lengths to get it for themselves. In the same way, once we gain a glimpse of God’s vast and precious treasures, put on full display for us in Christ, we will be compelled like Paul to go to whatever lengths necessary to acquire them fully for ourselves.

Father, may the eyes of my heart be enlightened that I might see Your riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Turn my eyes upon Jesus, help me to look full into His wonderful face, so that the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace. Oh to see Your power and Your glory! I know, Lord, that this is exactly what I need! Take away my blindness, Lord. Give me eyes to see Your glory, which I know is all around me, filling the whole earth, and especially in the face of Your Son.