I used to see this promise in Philippians and wonder why I wasn't getting everything I wanted. It even caused me to doubt God and my own relationship with Him. But then I saw my problem—it was reading one word wrong.  

The verse does not say that God will supply all my "wants." It says He will meet all my "needs". Sometimes I forget there is a difference. When I forget, I put God at quite a disadvantage, because He knows what is best for me.  

I believe that "needs" are whatever is imperative for me to accurately and completely fulfill God's will for my life. A "need" is probably not getting an "A" on a test, or a new car—those are "wants." A lot of the time I get the things I "want," and usually because of some effort I've personally invested.  

Needs are fulfilled by God. Like salvation, for example. I need it and God has supplied it, full and complete. Another need is forgiveness—and again, God has supplied. As I go down my mental list of what God believes to be imperative, I discover that He takes care of all my needs. I have a pretty good thing going being fully cared for by God! 

I still get confused at times trying to decide if something is a "need" or a "want." But I'm still comfortable because I know that God knows what He is doing. And God can accurately distinguish between my needs and wants. When I see that they will be met "according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus," I am encouraged. I wait to receive, knowing that I will get far more than I could ever have asked for or dreamed of.

Rich Carlson is campus chaplain at Union College in Lincoln, Nebraska. "God is Faithful" is adapted from the email devotionals he writes regularly for the Union College family. Rich enjoys filling his life with God, his family, and especially his five grandchildren.