How the Good Use of Money Attracts Blessings
The Kingdom Wealth Principle and Philippians 4:19
There was a time---a long time---when I misunderstood the connection between giving and blesings and misapplied Philippians 4.19. I thought I could just claim the passage and get God's blessings and riches in heaven, and live happily ever after. God wants to richly bless us, not just spiritually but financially, and wants some of us to get really rich. But we often see these things in the wrongest way possible.
Photo above by Sixteen Miles Out on Unsplash.
Remember how Jesus said he would give the keys of the Kingdom to his disciples (not just to Peter), and what we bind and lose on earth will be bound and losed in heaven? It's in the plural form, keys. And one of the keys is releasing wealth. We can command money to be released, just as Jesus told Peter to get money from the mouth of the fish he'd catch. The problem is, the church and some preachers have been misusing and even abusing this key, enriching their denominations or mega churches or personal lives, accumulating treasures on earth, instead of using wealth to gain friends for ourselves, as Jesus taught in Luke 16.9 (for evangelism and missions, for blessing people, giving up the wealth to give away to the poor).
"I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings."
Anyway, the verse in Philippians 4:19—“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus”—is often quoted as a blanket promise of abundance. Yet, when studied in its context, it reveals a deeper Kingdom principle tied to faithful giving and partnership with God’s appointed servants. Paul’s assurance to the Philippians was not a general statement detached from their actions; it was a direct response to their generosity toward him as an apostle.
1. The Context of Philippians 4:19
Paul wrote this letter while imprisoned, and the Philippian church had repeatedly sent financial support for his ministry. In verses 15–16, he commends them for being the only church that shared with him in “giving and receiving.” Their consistent generosity was not merely charity—it was spiritual partnership. Because of this, Paul declared that God would supply all their needs. The principle here is clear: divine provision is activated through faithful giving to God’s anointed servants who labor in the gospel.
2. The Condition of the Promise
Many believers claim Philippians 4:19 without recognizing its condition. The promise is not automatic; it is tied to obedience in giving. The Philippians gave sacrificially, and Paul equated their gifts to “a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God” (Phil. 4:18). Giving money to God's servant and his ministry is true worship. This sacrificial giving released heaven’s abundance into their lives. Paul, in turn, never kept the blessings all to himself. He shared with others. This is corrrect Kingdom stewardship of money. God blesses you to give the blessings away, especially to the needy brethren.
In this connection, Jesus tells us to learn from the birds---they neither sow or reap or store away in barns. He taught us the principle of "Give us this day our daily bread," not our weekly or monthly bread, giving us an idea of how much we can keep for ourselves. This is why I keep saying, all church denominations must totally give up all their possessions---properties, buildings, vehicles, etc. and give to the poor---if they consider themselves true disciples.
Today, some dismiss tithing or structured giving as “obsolete,” arguing that cheerful giving is optional. They quote 2 Corinthians 9:7—“God loves a cheerful giver”—to justify withholding when they don’t feel cheerful. But this reasoning misses the point. Cheerfulness is about the heart’s posture, not an excuse to avoid giving. The principle of giving remains consistent throughout Scripture: obedience first, then joy follows as we see God’s faithfulness.
3. The Harmony of Old and New Testament Teachings
Jesus did not abolish the law but fulfilled it (Matt. 5:17). Paul also teaches that "Christ is the end of the law” (Rom. 10:4), meaning its ultimate purpose is revealed in Him. Studying the law remains vital—not for salvation, but to know Christ more deeply. If you really love Jesus, you will desire to know him deeply.
Tithing, for example, is rooted in the order of Melchizedek. Abraham gave a tenth to Melchizedek, the priest of God Most High (Gen. 14:20). Hebrews 7 affirms that Jesus is a high priest forever in this order. The word “forever” makes the principle enduring. Thus, tithing is not obsolete; it is a living principle under Christ’s priesthood.
But Jesus also calls His disciples to give up “everything” (Luke 14:33), not just give our tithes. This means that true discipleship involves surrendering 100 percent of our lives—including finances—to Him. To my mind, tithing is the minimum, a starting point. But now in Christ, it should progress to giving up everything. Galatians 6:6 reinforces this: “Let the one who is taught the word share all good things with the one who teaches.” The phrase “all good things” points beyond 10 percent, toward generous partnership with spiritual leaders.
4. God’s Provision and Human Responsibility
Paul balances this principle in 2 Corinthians 9:8: “God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” Notice the sequence:
- God ensures we have what we need.
- Out of that provision (after setting aside for our needs), we give generously.
- As we give, God multiplies resources for every good work.
This shows that God understands our responsibilities—bills, food, family needs, savings. He does not demand reckless giving but faithful stewardship. Yet, when we prioritize Kingdom giving, He ensures our needs are met and multiplies our resources.
5. Activation of the Philippians 4:19 Principle
The promise of Philippians 4:19 activates when believers prove faithful in giving. The Philippians gave consistently, even beyond their means, and Paul assured them of God’s supply. Likewise, when we give faithfully to the work of the gospel—supporting pastors, apostles, the 5-fold ministers and their ministries—we position ourselves under the flow of God’s riches in Christ.
This principle is not transactional, as if we “buy” blessings. It is relational. Giving expresses love, trust, and partnership with God’s mission. In response, God releases provision, not merely to enrich us, but to empower our giving for “every good work.”
6. The Kingdom Wealth Principle Today
In modern times, many believers misunderstand Kingdom wealth. Some expect abundance without obedience, while others dismiss biblical principles as outdated. But the Word of God is timeless. The law, the prophets, the teachings of Jesus, and the epistles all harmonize under the Spirit’s wisdom.
- Tithing remains relevant under Christ’s eternal priesthood.
- Generous giving fulfills Jesus’ call to surrender everything.
- Partnership with ministers activates the Philippians 4:19 promise.
- Cheerful giving reflects the heart of discipleship, not an excuse to withhold.
When these principles are applied together, believers experience God’s abundant provision—not as entitlement, but as the fruit of faithful obedience.
However, even without this principle, believers or churches can still get "blessed," and even become moneyed and wealthy, popular, thriving with full-packed membership and franchise their church planting everywhere. God allows the Babylon system to get a semblance of favor and blessing to build a name for themselves and reach heaven in their own efforts, but only to be confused in the end, and separate, or split---or have "a reputation of being alive but you are dead." Even Ishmael and Isau were blessed.
Always Remember...
Philippians 4:19 is not a blanket promise detached from context. It is a Kingdom wealth principle tied to faithful giving. The Philippians’ generosity toward Paul released God’s riches (not the world's) into their lives. Today, the same principle applies: when we honor God through tithes, offerings, and generous partnership with His servants, we activate the promise that He will supply all our needs according to His riches in glory.
True discipleship calls for surrender of everything, yet God in His wisdom ensures our needs are met so we can give at all times. The Kingdom wealth principle is not obsolete—it is eternal, rooted in Christ’s priesthood and fulfilled in His call to give all. When we embrace this, we experience the fullness of God’s provision and the joy of partnering with Him in advancing His Kingdom.
JESUS' 11 MUST TEACHINGS ON HOW TO BE SAVED AND ENTER HEAVEN
- Whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. [John 3.16]
- Receive Jesus. [John 1.12]
- Be born of water and Spirit to enter the Kingdom of God. [John 3.3-8]
- Deny self, pick up your cross and follow Him. [Matthew 16.24]
- Give up everything you have. [Luke 14.33]
- Sell all you have and give to the poor. [Matthew 19.21]
- Do good to the needy, hungry, thirsty and the stranger. [Matthew 25.34-46]
- Obedience [Matthew 7.21]
- Enter the narrow door. [Luke 13.24]
- Become like little children. [Matthew 18.3]
- Relationship with Jesus. [John 14.6]
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