OCTOBER 31

The God Who Gives

Bible Reading: Philippians 4:10-23

Philippians 4:19, “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”

“You can’t outgive God!” – Jim Thompson (elder at LCBC)

Newly called to pastor the church in Astoria, we were confronted with an enormous challenge.  The church’s first month’s income was a mere $600!  It didn’t increase that much in the subsequent months, so I met regularly with the treasurer as we tried to figure out how best to meet the church’s various financial obligations.  Fortunately, the church had a parsonage; I had a part-time job, and the church family was generous in helping our young family in other ways.  God met all our needs.

It was many years later that God taught me a big lesson related to our verse.  Pastor Bob Emrich had invited me to accompany him on a trip to Uganda to assist in training pastors.  The church funded the trip, and it was a tremendous blessing!  The opportunity to return later that year availed itself, but I was torn.  How can I go back to the congregation so soon and ask again for funds?  After discussing the matters with leadership, we agreed I should go, trusting God to provide.  We were all pleasantly surprised, as the funds were readily provided.  We continued to send groups of folks to Uganda annually, at a cost of many tens of thousands of dollars.  And we never struggled to finance the church’s outreach to our Ugandan friends.  In fact, the expenditure of funds in that missionary endeavor was more than compensated as the church income grew such that it far exceeded its budget month after month during that period!  We trusted God that He would provide; He was well pleased to meet every need in abundant fashion!

God has promised that.  And we should note this about our verse, it’s best understood in its context.  The Philippian believers had generously sacrificed to support the Apostle Paul in his time of need.  The word “And” at the beginning of verse 19 ties the verse to what precedes.  In view of their sacrifice, God would provide.  That is the same as God has promised elsewhere (2 Corinthians 9:8-11; Malachi 3:10).  God is a giving God, and He’s called us to imitate Him as we walk in love (Ephesians 5:1-2).  He who is rich in grace, is both well able and well pleased to pass on of His riches to those who in turn are ready to pass them on in His name (2 Corinthians 8:9).  As channels of blessing!

The KJV Commentary wonderfully summarizes that which is proclaimed to us in this verse: “We see first of all in this verse a great need. God promises to meet all of their need, not all of their wishes, wants, or whims. Men have physical needs, mental needs, social needs, economic needs. Men have not only temporal needs, but spiritual and eternal needs. Men need perpetual pardon, perpetual peace, and perpetual power. Secondly, we see in this verse a great helper…Paul could not repay the Philippians, but God could and would. Paul does not say my God can supply all your needs, but my God shall supply all your needs. This was Paul’s personal testimony and confession of faith. We see next a great Supplier. There is a total supply for a total need. God’s supply is infinite, abundant, inexhaustible, limitless, boundless. God many times uses the agencies of men to meet our needs. Next we see great resources. God’s riches in glory. Paul says according to his riches, not out of His riches, not off the top. God’s supply is not according to our deserts, but according to His mercy; not out of debt, but out of grace; not according to our emptiness, but according to His fullness; not according to our poverty, but according to His wealth. God has great riches. Lastly, look at the great and glorious channel–by Christ Jesus. “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time” (1Timothy 2:5–6). There is no other Mediator; there is no other channel. With such precious truth before us there can only be concurrence with the past, contentment with the present, and confidence for the future. “ (Dobson, E G, Charles Feinberg, E Hindson, Woodrow Kroll, H L. Wilmington: KJV Bible Commentary).

FREELY, FREELY

God forgave my sin in Jesus’ name
I’ve been born again in Jesus’ name
And in Jesus’ name I come to you
To share His love as He told me to

Chorus: He said freely freely
You have received
Freely freely give
Go in My name
And because you believe
Others will know that I live

All pow’r is giv’n in Jesus’ name
In earth and heav’n in Jesus’ name
And in Jesus’ name I come to you
To share His pow’r as He told me to (Chorus)

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Author: looking2jesus13

Jerry L. Conklin was born and raised in Hillsboro, Oregon. After graduating from high school, he enlisted in the United States Navy and served for six years in the Navy’s Nuclear Power Program. He was assigned to the USS *Omaha* (SSN-692), a nuclear-powered fast-attack submarine, where he served as a reactor-plant electrical operator. His military service took him to ports and locations throughout the world and provided extensive technical training, leadership experience, and an enduring appreciation for those who serve in the Armed Forces. Following his Navy service, Jerry earned a bachelor’s degree in Nuclear Technology from Thomas Edison State University. He worked at the Trojan Nuclear Plant near Rainier, Oregon, first as a reactor operator and later as a training specialist. After sensing God’s call to pastoral ministry, he left the nuclear-power industry and earned a master’s degree in theology from Western Conservative Baptist Seminary in Portland, Oregon. Jerry served for twenty-seven and a half years as senior pastor of Lewis and Clark Bible Church in Astoria, Oregon. During those years, he preached and taught the Scriptures, provided pastoral counseling, performed weddings and memorial services, trained church leaders, and served individuals and families throughout the community. He also served as a fire department chaplain and participated in a variety of community ministries. After retiring from full-time pastoral ministry, Jerry and his wife, Laura, moved to Heppner, Oregon. There he served for approximately four years as a chaplain with Pioneer Memorial Home Health and Hospice, providing spiritual and emotional support to more than 150 patients and their families. In 2023, the Oregon Association for Home Care honored him as its Chaplain of the Year. Jerry also helped establish South Morrow County Seniors Matter, a nonprofit organization created to address the needs of older adults following the COVID-19 pandemic. As chairman, he worked with community leaders and volunteers to develop a weekly senior meal program, a monthly veterans’ lunch, and other activities and services. The organization served hundreds of seniors, mobilized more than 200 volunteers, and received statewide and national recognition. In 2025, Jerry was named Heppner’s Man of the Year, and his community service was later recognized by United States Senator Jeff Merkley. International missions have also been an important part of Jerry’s ministry. He has made ten trips to Uganda, where he has taught at pastors’ conferences, preached in churches, participated in Bible-school graduations, distributed Bibles and Christian materials, and encouraged local pastors and ministry leaders. He developed the discipleship booklet *First Steps with Jesus* to help new believers understand and grow in their faith. Jerry is the author of numerous books, Bible studies, devotionals, and teaching resources, including works centered on prayer, Christian hope, spiritual growth, and the person of Jesus Christ. His decades of preaching and teaching reflect his commitment to presenting biblical truth clearly, practically, and faithfully. Jerry and Laura were married for nearly forty-two years and raised four children. They were also blessed with three grandchildren. Laura passed away in August 2025 following an eight-and-a-half-year battle with cancer. Jerry currently lives in Hillsboro, where he helps care for his elderly father. He continues to preach, teach, write, and serve others through pastoral and community ministry.

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