Finding Contentment through Joy
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Moved but not dependent
Moved but not dependent
Tonight we are going to look at contentment and generosity. We’ve been studying the book of Philippians as Paul has laid out, by the power of the Holy Spirit, a basis for rejoicing in the Lord and finding our Joy in Him and Him alone. This last portion of Chapter 4 finishes off two remaining subjects as it pertains to living the Joy filled life. Contentment and Generosity, both of which are an out pouring of the Joy that we have in the Lord.
We tend to find joy in the thing that we worship. What ever that is, or whom ever that is tends to be different from person to person. We may not even realize that we are worshiping what we take joy in. I don’t want to ruin this idea of enjoyment for us. God has definitely given us certain passions and gifting that lead us to be interested in things, but he never intends for that thing to be the object of our worship. He and He alone is to be the object of our worship.
We can love hunting, or fishing, or horses, or hiking, or running, or shopping, or movies, or TV shows, or our family, or any other thing other than Jesus can’t we? When we love/worship those things to the point that they take precedence over our relationship with Him and His Church, we’ve gotten things out of order. There is a place for all of those things in our lives. Most of them can be used for eternal purposes. Yes, even movies and TV, even shopping, but God wants to be the one using those things in our lives for His purpose.
Paul, realized this. He had all of his worldly ambitions, even though they were tied up in religion, and he had his whole life planned out, up until meeting Jesus on the road to Damascus, but after that, his whole world was turned upside down. His whole perspective was changed, not because he wasn’t desiring to serve the Lord. Not because he didn’t desire to do the right thing or even pursue his passions, it’s just that his passions were misplaced. Placed on the wrong thing.
As Christians, God has invaded our lives to prevail on our hearts, or desires, our wants, our dreams, our passions, to align our hearts and lives with Him. That doesn't’ mean that we have to give up those passions, but it does mean that we should solely find our contentment in Him as we love and worship him and him alone.
Let’s look at what Paul has to say starting in verse 10 of Chapter 4.
10 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity.
Paul is rejoicing in the Lord moving on the hearts of the Philippians to give to his need. Paul has already exhorted the Philippians for what they’d done in his absence through their obedience to the Lord in Chapter 2:12. Here he is rejoicing over their repeated obedience in Paul’s absence, but through obedience because of God’s presence and influence in their lives.
I don’t know about you, but have you ever been on the receiving end of someone else’s generosity? Especially when it’s a situation where it is so obviously by the hand of God?
Boys Pants
$50 for energy bill
multiple cars over the years
cash to go to San Fransisco
There is a confirmation in our hearts when we see God move like this. It points back to verses 8 .
8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
Looking back and seeing how things were provided by the hand of God is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent and most of all, WORTHY OF PRAISE!
In Matthew 6 Jesus is challenging his audience on not worrying about what they will eat, or wear, or even where they will live. He ends with this statement.
33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
34 “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
the NLT says it this way.
Matthew 6:34 “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.
Paul realized that God is the giver of all good things. If he would just trust in God, seek his kingdom and his righteousness, God would provide exactly what Paul needed in God’s own perfect timing. Paul was also reminded of the Philippians being the source of God’s provision. They would have known or realized the following truths because they would have been taught the OT as well as the very words of Christ.
J Paul Getty
J Paul Getty
money is like manure. If you pile it up, it stinks. If you spread it out, things grow.
38 give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”
Put into your lap (bosom): “The Jew wore a long loose robe down to the feet, and round the waist a girdle. The robe could be pulled up so that the bosom of the robe above the girdle formed a kind of outsize pocket in which things could be carried. So the modern equivalent of the phrase would be, ‘People will fill your pocket.’” (Barclay)
24 One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want.
25 Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered.
Let’s look at what Paul says next.
11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.
12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.
13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
Did Paul know he had a financial need?
Every Circumstance!
Where did he find his contentment? We can do all things through Christ!
Get through the lean months financially.
Get through the times of trials.
Handle our money wisely even when we have abundance!
Praise him all the more when things are going well.
A good example of this is from Psalm 37:3-6
3 Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness.
4 Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.
5 Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act.
6 He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday.
What is delighting in the Lord?
Trusting in Him
Doing good
Dwelling and befriending faithfulness
The bottom line is, when we trust Him, obey him, worship Him, i.e. delight in him, his desires become our desires and He gives them to us.
13 I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life.
14 And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us.
15 And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him.
Paul is confident that he can do all things through Christ, because he has aligned his will with Christ’s will. He has asked for things that he knows the Lord wants for him. The only way that happens is if our spirit is in tune with the Holy Spirit.
14 Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble.
15 And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only.
16 Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again.
17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit.
18 I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God.
19 And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
20 To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.
21 Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me greet you.
22 All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar’s household.
23 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
Paul knew that God would provided his needs because God had always provided for his needs. I can only assume that Paul didn’t see Epaphroditus at the door of his cell and think, “ yes, I bet he brought money”!
Paul wasn’t seeking the gift but the increase in faith and Joy in the Philippians that would come as a result of them giving out of Generosity because of their love for Paul and their love and joy in the Lord!
Paul knew he had all he needed, but wanted to thank the Philippians greatly for helping be a part of God meeting that need.
He ends by encouraging them with the truth and knowledge that God will supply their every need, not according to what we can do or based on our pocket book, but based on God’s pocket book, According to His riches in Glory in Christ Jesus!
That statement alone takes on so much more meaning that the money we need to buy or pay for what we need. Jesus is all we need. The sooner we find our complete contentment in Him, the sooner we will find complete contentment in Him!
44 “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.
In his Joy? Goes and Sells all and buys that field!
God is and has offered that Kingdom to you and me. Some of us may be members of that kingdom but we haven’t yet sold everything to purchase the field! We sell everything because we realize the immense value of the Kingdom of Heaven. Some of us have realized the immense value but haven’t become a member yet. My prayer tonight is that you will, if you haven’t already, realize, sell and buy. Give up everything for the purpose and mission of Christ! Abandon the American dream and embrace the Kingdom of God both for salvation and to live contently in the Joy of the Lord!
Let’s pray!