Philippians 4:18-19 — But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God. But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

The founder of Crown Financial Ministries, Larry Burkett used to say, “Show me your checkbook, and I’ll show you your priorities.” Are your faith and family your top priorities? Then your spending patterns will surely show it. So, a Christmas spin on that thought occurred to me today.
What do your Christmas lists say about your priorities?
You know … the ones you send to Santa (O.K. Perhaps like me and Myra you’re past the letters up the chimney now and just swap lists with your beloved!)
Our lists — especially mine — have changed over the years. There have been frivolous lists, and practical lists. There have been lists with (sort of) a theme, random lists, and lists with some highly specific items. In both our lists there have usually, as you might expect, been some very faith-based items. I’m not sure, though, that you could infer the balance of our priorities from the lists … This year, though, something interesting happened. Neither of us could easily make a list. We didn’t have much we could say we really needed or wanted.
If you know Myra and me, I don’t suppose you’re surprised at the idea that we don’t “need” much. Of course we’re not rich, but we have a home we like, a car that goes, food on our table and clothes on our back. We know enough to know that God is giving us what we need, and maybe more than that. He is truly supplying all our need …
I don’t know if you’d be surprised to know that we don’t “want” much. I was. When I thought about it I realized that it’s been sneaking up on me over the last few years. A number of long-held cherished desires no longer seemed to matter at all. Paul says something else just a few verses earlier in this same chapter of his letter to the Philippians that might relate: “Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.” (Philippians 4:11-12)
In our lives, Myra and I have both been through some pretty hard times. We’ve had good times too. God has been with us all the time — even when we didn’t know it. That’s the answer to every want and need.
Make no mistake, we still love to give and receive gifts … but if we don’t get any particular thing we’re still going to feel unreasonably blessed — we already have the greatest gift of all!