Yeah, that picture’s a little creepy. I get it. But some of you may recognize the face of Alfred E. Neuman, the mascot of the quirky and defunct Mad Magazine, whose slogan was, “What, me worry?” Mad started as a comic book back in 1952, and a few years later became a humor magazine that satirized American culture: politics, advertising, television, movies, anything or anyone the editors wanted to skewer. Often, Neuman’s head would be unceremoniously pasted onto the body of whatever celebrity Mad wished to lampoon.

Mad was part of my childhood and adolescence; I probably haven’t had an issue in my hands in fifty years. So I was surprised to learn that the magazine survived until just recently; the last issue was in 2018. Finally, it seems, Neuman really did have something to worry about.

Why bring up Mad? Because the memory of my gap-toothed friend prompts me to admit that as I write this, I am worried, sometimes to the point of tossing and turning at night, unable to sleep.

We’re approaching the end of Paul’s letter to the Philippians, and as I suggested in a recent post, endings matter. When Epaphroditus arrives back in Philippi with Paul’s letter in hand, the believers will at some point be gathered to hear it read aloud. What will be the last word? What final note does Paul want to strike?

Here again are Paul’s penultimate words, just before the final greeting:

I have been paid in full and have more than enough; I am fully satisfied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. And my God will fully satisfy every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen. (Phil 4:18-20, NRSVUE)

The Philippians’ gift to Paul leaves him “fully satisfied,” literally, “filled up.” But because the gift is also a faithful offering to God, God will reciprocate by filling up the Philippians, giving them what they need. This is not, of course, a promise to repay the money with interest, as if Paul were promoting some early version of the prosperity gospel. The “riches” of which he speaks are the riches of God’s glory as revealed in Jesus. And for Paul, born and bred a devout Jew, there was nothing greater imaginable than the glory of God.

But again, what do the Philippians need? There can be no doubt that having delivered the gift to Paul in Rome, Epaphroditus gave him all the news from Philippi: the persecution by their neighbors, the tension in the church, the unresolved matter between Euodia and Syntyche. Paul needed to send back not merely a thank-you note, but a bit of pastoral counsel and encouragement. Live in a way that befits the gospel: be humble, don’t be anxious, pray. And trust that God will give you what you need to do so.

So much of what Paul has tried so carefully to say emphasizes that it’s not about the money; it’s not about material satisfaction. When he receives the gift from the Philippians, he rejoices, because it shows how the gospel has come alive in them. It would be odd, then, to think that when he says God will satisfy all their needs, he’s speaking about material needs. No: I believe what Paul is promising is that God will richly give them what they need to live gospel-centered lives in the midst of their anxiety-provoking circumstances.

Again, as I write this, I am anticipating a difficult but much needed conversation. Inhabiting a leadership role that I never wanted, I must speak into a tense situation where people are anxious and upset, and beginning to behave in inappropriate ways. All of them are Christians; all of them believe the gospel. But they are not, in this situation at least, behaving in a way that lets the gospel shine through.

What will I say? How will people react? This is not my nature or personality: why am I the one who has to do this? The questions swirl, and I lie awake.

And then I read Paul: my God will fully satisfy every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. I am doing what I believe God would have me do, and it does indeed feel like a sacrifice. I want it to be a worthy sacrifice, a pleasing aroma. And I want to trust that God will give me what I need. The right attitude. A heart of love and compassion. The humility to not be defensive. The wisdom to speak the truth in a way that it can be heard.

What, me worry? Well, yes, a little.

But it helps to know that in the grand scheme of things, I have nothing to worry about.

To God be the glory indeed.