True Generosity

14 Nevertheless you have done well that you shared in my distress. 15 Now you Philippians know also that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church shared with me concerning giving and receiving but you only. 16 For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities. 17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account. 18 Indeed I have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God. 19 And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. 20 Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.

Philippians 4:14-20(NKJV)

Most of us are familiar with Philippians 4:13, I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.

That is one of the great verses that speaks of a person’s trust and reliability in the provision of God within his/her life. But many of us are not familiar with the next verse, verse 14, where Paul says, “Nevertheless, you have done well that you shared in my distress.”

There are many Christians today who project spirituality when in reality they have not learned the Law of True Generosity. These are folk who are so heavenly minded that they are no earthly good.

CIT: Philippians 4 will reveal to us today that God works through human instrumentality to accomplish His purposes. God always equips His people through spiritual and even natural giftedness in order to meet the needs of His people.

In the case of Philippians 4, God’s purpose is to provide for Paul’s needs, and the human instrumentality He uses is the faithful members of the Philippian church.

Along the way, hopefully we will discover through the example of the Philippian believers what it means to practice true generosity in our own lives and in our own church.

I. THE POINT OF TRUE GENEROSITY, Philippians 4:14

Nevertheless you have done well that you shared in my distress.

A. Paul’s Need, v. 14, my distress,

Paul the Apostle and missionary had some needs that were so great that he referred to them as “my distress.” Paul often relieved upon the support of others in his Missionary Journeys.

For awhile, not even the Philippian believers were supporting Paul. As a result, Paul had earlier shared with the Philippians from Philippians 4:11-12,

11 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: 12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. Phil 4:11-12 (NKJV)

There may have been Christians in the Philippian Church who thought God would miraculously provide for all Paul’s needs. Some may have not yet learned that God uses people to meet the needs of others. That’s why Paul reminds them they had done well in sharing in his need.

I don’t recall all the advice my pastor gave to me as he mentored me as a young man called to the ministry. But I do remember him sharing the following advice. He said, “If anyone ever wants to share a gift with you, never refuse their generosity. If you tell them no, then you will have robbed them of the blessing God will give them for sharing in your life and your ministry.”

B. The Philippians’ Response, v. 14, Nevertheless you have done well that you shared…

In sharing out of their giftedness they were exhibiting the practice of true generosity. They gave with little thought for themselves. They gave lovingly and sacrificially.

Philippians 1:7, Just as it is right for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart, inasmuch as both in my chains and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers with me of grace.

II. THE PRINCIPLES OF TRUE GENEROSITY, Philippians 4:15

Now you Philippians know also that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church shared with me concerning giving and receiving but you only.

The essential nature of generous giving, the underlying principle, is revealed in the phrase, giving and receiving.

Jesus said, Freely you have received, freely give, Matthew 10:8.

Generous giving flows first from the realization that we have all been given to generously.

Luke 6:38, "Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over..."

III. THE PERSISTENCE OF TRUE GENEROSITY, Philippians 4:16

For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities.

The Philippians gave again and again to meet Paul’s needs. Paul would later tell others about the Philippians generous giving, referring to them as examples of persistent, generous giving to the work of God.

Like the Corinthians, they gave out of their poverty, not their abundance.

Our giving must be persistent not periodic. We are compelled to give at certain times of the year, or during certain times of urgent need, but the measure of our true generosity is how we give week by week, if not day by day. (1 Corinthians 16:2, Give Weekly, not weakly!)

IV. THE PRODUCT OF TRUE GENEROSITY, Philippians 4:17

Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account.

Paul says it was not the gift or the amount of their giving he was looking for, but the attitude of their giving. When they gave with true generosity, Paul said God would reward them.

Remember, your giving is an investment that promises a rich dividend of God’s reward!

Matthew 10:42, And whoever gives one of these little ones only a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple, assuredly, I say to you, he shall by no means lose his reward."

V. THE PLEASURE OF TRUE GENEROSITY, Philippians 4:18

Indeed I have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God.

The pleasure of true generosity is a three-way street of blessing. Paul was pleased to receive the gift. The Philippian believers were pleased to be able to share. Most importantly, God was pleased. The Apostle Paul quotes Jesus as saying, “it is more blessed to give than to receive.”

VI. THE PROSPECTS OF TRUE GENEROSITY, Philippians 4:19

And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

This verse refutes the reason many Christians give for their failure to be generous in their giving. Many simply say, “I or we can’t afford to give.”

God has promised to provide for all our needs. He doesn’t promise to solve all our problems.

God promises to supply all our need according to His riches. He did not say out of His riches but according to His riches. Our giving should also be according to our provision not out of it.

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