And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19
“He who dwells in solitude and depends on charity for his food must accept alms in seven ways. First, he must ask only for what is needful. Secondly, he must take only what is needful. Thirdly, he must receive whatever is offered to him as if from God. Fourthly, he must trust in God and believe that He will recompense the giver. Fifthly, he must apply himself to keeping the commandments. Sixthly, he must not misuse what is given to him. Seventhly, he must not be stingy but must give to others and be compassionate. He who conducts himself thus in these matters experiences the joy of having his needs supplied not by man but by God.”
Gregory of Sinai in The Philokalia: The Complete Text: Volume 4, compiled by St. Nikodimos of the Holy Mountain and St. Makarius of Corinth (London: Faber & Faber, 1979) 256.
In continuing my exploration of what is ‘needful’ in The Philokalia, I appreciated this straightforward instruction for me as I trust God to supply my needs and for the needs of my family.
Read it again. It drives me to pursue contentment, simplicity, dependence on God, trust in God, obedience to God, stewardship, and generosity. Join me. This is what is needful on our part.
And when we do this we can trust God to meet our needs!
I posted this prior to entering China. Before traveling home to USA, I have stopped in Manila (pictured above) to meet with a very special friend, Anjji Gabriel.
Assuming travel goes on schedule, I will return to Denver on Thursday afternoon.
But I want to pause to give thanks for how God supplied what was needful for my trip: prayers for God to work in power, strength to serve, financial resources to travel, and more.