Bible Study - Thrive (6) - Giving With Joy - Philippians 4:10-20 - February 26, 2017

Bible Study – Thrive (6) – Giving With Joy – February 26, 2017

This is our sixth and final lesson in our series entitled “Thrive: Living in Real Joy.”

Our focus scripture is Philippians 4:10-20.

Join GOD in HIS work of giving for the benefit of others.

Giving with joy comes from the natural outflow of our relationship with GOD through faith in JESUS. When giving is part of our new nature in CHRIST, it is natural. It is as important as breathing is to our natural bodies, food, water, etc. Let’s explore!

Let’s read Philippians 4:10-14:

Appreciation of Support

10 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last you have renewed your care for me. You were, in fact, concerned about me, but lacked the opportunity [to show it].

Caring for others in their time of need reflects the true relationship of the giver to the LORD. The fact that the Christians in Philippi had reached out to Paul in his time of need brought joy to Paul because it revealed their continued walk with JESUS.

11 I don't say this out of need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.

Paul set the record straight that GOD was taking care of him because Paul had learned to be content with what he had. Paul expands on this in our next verse.

12 I know both how to have a little, and I know how to have a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret [of being content]-whether well-fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need.

Paul’s trust in the LORD gave him confidence that GOD would take care of him whether he had little or abundance.  Paul had learned that when he focused upon his relationship with JESUS and the care of GOD to meet all of his needs, he was content.

What is being content?

We considered “happiness” earlier in our study. Happiness depends upon our circumstances, whereas “joy” comes from within and does not depend upon our circumstances. “Contentment” falls into the same category as “joy.” Contentment does not increase or decrease with our material sufficiency. Do the more physical things we have bring us more contentment? NO! In fact, the more we have often brings more problems.

A Christian’s contentment is found in his or her relationship with JESUS and when Christians come to that realization it is part of their Spiritual growth and maturing process. When such a realization is achieved through living, it becomes a natural part of us as Christians. It then flows naturally from the realized assurance of the complete care of the LORD JESUS in our lives in all situations. Christians can rest and abide in JESUS with confidence. It does not mean that we can avoid our part in circumstances but to do our part as revealed by the Holy Spirit and leave the rest to our LORD.

In Paul’s time, there was a philosophy created by Zeno called stoicism. The stoics were to endure whatever life sent their way. They were to suffer through it. The idea was no pain no gain.

The Apostle Paul had learned that GOD was with him in all situations and in all situations bringing about the best solution possible as recorded in Romans 8:26-30:

26 In the same way the Spirit also joins to help in our weakness, because we do not know what to pray for as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with unspoken groanings.

27 And He who searches the hearts knows the Spirit's mind-set, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

28 We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose. [GOD is in all things. Things do not control Christians but GOD is in all things bringing about the best solution.]

29 For those He foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers.

30 And those He predestined, He also called; and those He called, He also justified; and those He justified, He also glorified.

When we have done what we can and we must trust GOD to fill in the gaps. Our limitations become HIS opportunity to reveal to us that we fully trust HIM to meet our needs as we obediently serve HIM.  

13 I am able to do all things through Him who strengthens me.

Since Paul was focused on his relationship with JESUS and his dependence upon HIM, Paul could say with complete confidence, “I am able to do all things through HIM who strengthens me.”

Paul drew his strength from his relationship and experience with JESUS and not from what physical things or the circumstances he faced. Paul was GOD’S man chosen to obediently serve HIM and that was his focus. He did not focus upon material things. GOD met Paul’s needs from HIS vast resources, which were sufficient and complete to meet all needs.

Paul’s secret is “CHRIST is sufficient.” Paul did not focus upon circumstances but on the sufficiency of CHRIST, Who sits at the right hand of GOD.

14 Still, you did well by sharing with me in my hardship.

Paul quickly adds, in essence, “Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate you reaching out to me in my time of hardship and it was much needed, appreciated and used to the glory of GOD. GOD used you to meet my needs, which reveals your walk with JESUS.”

As stated in a previous lesson, Tony Merida the founding pastor of Imago Dei Church in Raleigh, NC wrote our series entitled “Thrive: Living in Real Joy.” On pages 150 and 151, he had three headings:

1.     

Contentment doesn’t depend on our circumstances (vv. 11-12)

2.    Contentment is learned (vv. 11-12)

3.    Contentment flows from our union with CHRIST and reliance on HIM. (v. 13) “Paul now gives us “the secret of being content. It flows from our union and communion with the Savior.” --- “CHRIST is enough. Paul wasn’t preoccupied with his situation; he was preoccupied with JESUS. When you focus on JESUS, you can be content.”

Let’s read Philippians 4:15-18:

15 And you, Philippians, know that in the early days of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving except you alone.

Paul praised the Christians in Philippi for their early and continued support of him as he obediently served the LORD JESUS. This support for him came from the prompting of the Holy Spirit and as such they were partners with him in ministry and obedient to GOD. It is as if they were going along with Paul to these other places spreading the Gospel.

16 For even in Thessalonica you sent [gifts] for my need several times.

17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that is increasing to your account.

Paul made it clear that he greatly appreciated the gifts they sent to him but his greatest joy came from the fact that they were being obedient to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. They were in partnership with GOD and that relationship would transcend the bounds of earth and be applied to their treasure being held in heaven. Their faithful support of Paul was a reflection of their Spiritual growth and maturity. The Christians in Philippi were co-labors with Paul.

This is an awesome thought. We could attempt to play the system by giving to get or we could focus upon building the right relationship with JESUS and let giving be a natural outflow from our relationship with GOD through CHRIST. 

Giving is all about our hearts and our true relationship with JESUS. You cannot fake truth. Giving is one thing but being a partner is another. Partnering is getting involved. Partnering is more than being a contributor. What is the difference between being a contributor and a partner? It is like the old story of the pig and the chicken providing food for a breakfast. The chicken stated it would provide the eggs and that the pig should provide the ham and bacon. The pig promptly responded to the chicken. “For you to provide the eggs are a contribution but for me to provide the ham and bacon is a sacrifice.”

Paul wrote of the generosity of the churches in Macedonia, which included Philippi as recorded in 2 Corinthians Chapters 8-9.

18 But I have received everything in full, and I have an abundance. I am fully supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what you provided-a fragrant offering, a welcome sacrifice, pleasing to God.

Paul underscores the fact that GOD has met his needs but the gift they sent by Epaphroditus (e-paf-ro-di-tus) was the finishing touch that completely supplied all Paul’s needs. What they sent was a reflection of careful thought, planning and prayer. They were not just doing something out of obligation but what they did came from their hearts filled with the love of JESUS and their love for Paul.

As a result, what they sent was a sacrificial gift to Paul which honored GOD. Paul received their gift as:

-         A fragrant offering

-         A welcome sacrifice

-         Pleasing to GOD

Their gift reflected their love for the LORD JESUS and what HE did for them, which, in turn, they saw reflected in Paul. In being obedient, they honored our LORD JESUS, it benefited Paul and, in turn, such obedience will be credited to their Spiritual growth upon earth and to their Spiritual treasure in heaven.

Let’s read Philippians 4:19-20:

19 And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

20 Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.

The Apostle Paul was closing his letter to the Christians in Philippi with a blessing of confidence based upon what Paul had learned during his walk with JESUS over the years. The GOD Whom Paul served through faith in JESUS will not abandon them but HE will supply all their needs according to HIS riches in Glory in CHRIST JESUS.

Their obedience reflected their faith in JESUS and a genuine relationship with GOD. They were not only in partnership with GOD but they were in partnership with Paul. Where Paul ministered, they ministered and GOD was glorified to those who were lost in sin and faced eternal death. But faith in JESUS redeems all who will place their faith in JESUS and because of them supporting Paul, they were ministering with Paul.

When we give to our church, we are partnering with all the church does in obedience to GOD’S leadership through the Holy Spirit. When we support missionaries, various programs or individuals, as led by the Holy Spirit, we become part of those efforts.

The Apostle Paul stated in verse 19 “And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” He stated “needs” and not wants or desires. We do not give to receive. If we do, it is for the wrong reasons and should be confessed. GOD’S desire is for us to do what we do from the natural flow coming from our relationship with HIM. Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 9:7:

7 Each person should do as he has decided in his heart-not out of regret or out of necessity, for God loves a cheerful giver.

Or as recorded in the King James Version:

7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly*, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:

*refers to Strong’s reference number.

Give as led by and prompted by the Holy Spirit. As Christians, we are building trust upon the foundation of our faith in JESUS. It is a partnership which began at the instant of salvation. There will be ups and downs, which is part of the firming of our foundation based upon truth and not notions.

Let giving flow from our natural relationship with JESUS. When we do, we will experience the joy of giving. Blessings!!!