our daily bread
Dexu Xia
Front-Porch Relief
I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation. Philippians 4:12
On a particularly hot day, eight-year-old Carmine McDaniel wanted to make sure his neighborhood mail carrier stayed cool and hydrated. So he left a cooler filled with a sports drink and water bottles on their front step. The family security camera recorded the mail carrier’s reaction: “Oh man, water and Gatorade. Thank God; thank you!”
Carmine’s mom says, “Carmine feels that it’s his ‘duty’ to supply the mailman with a cool beverage even if we’re not home.”
I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation. Philippians 4:12
This story warms our hearts, but it also reminds us that there is One who will “meet all your needs,” as the apostle Paul phrased it. Though Paul was languishing in jail and uncertain about his future, he expressed joy for the Christians in Philippi because God had met his needs through their financial gift to him. The Philippian church was not wealthy, but they were generous, giving to Paul and others out of their poverty (see 2 Corinthians 8:1–4). As the Philippians had met Paul’s needs, so God would meet theirs, “according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19).
God often sends vertical help through horizontal means. Put another way, He sends us what we need through the help of others. When we trust Him for what we need, we learn, as Paul did, the secret of true contentment (vv. 12–13).
How might God be prompting you to meet the needs of others? In what ways and through whom has God met your needs? Spend time thanking God for His provision.
God’s provisions are always greater than our problems.
满足的喜乐
我无论在什么景况都可以知足，这是我已经学会了。-腓立比书4章11节
某一天，天气特别炎热，八岁的克迈想让他们社区的邮差能凉快点儿，并补充水分。于是他在前门放了一个保冷箱，里面装满运动饮料和饮用水。居家安全监控系统录下了邮差的反应，他高兴地说：“太好了，有饮用水和运动饮料。感谢上帝，感谢你们！”
克迈的妈妈说：“克迈觉得就算没人在家，也要让邮差有冰凉的饮料喝，这是他的责任。”
这个小故事让人觉得温馨，也提醒我们保罗所说的话，上帝会使我们“一切所需用的都充足”。虽然保罗在狱中受苦，不确定未来将会如何，但他仍对腓立比教会的信徒表达心中的喜乐，因上帝透过这些信徒，让保罗得到经济上的供应。腓立比教会并不富裕，但他们却慷慨捐助保罗和其他的信徒（参阅哥林多后书8章1-4节）。因腓立比教会供给保罗所需，上帝也必照祂荣耀的丰富，在基督耶稣里使他们一切所需用的都充足（腓立比书4章19节）。
上帝经常透过人们赐给我们从祂而来的帮助。换句话说，祂透过其他人的帮助供应我们的需要。当我们相信上帝能供应我们一切所需，我们就会像保罗一样，得着了知足的秘诀（11-12节）。
上帝如何感动你去帮补别人的需要呢？
上帝曾如何供应你的需求呢？花点时间感谢上帝吧！
上帝的供应远大于我们的缺乏。