Joy in Contentment - Philippians 4:10-13

INTRO

Have you ever known anyone who is generous?

I think of two moments of exceptional generosity in my life.

DISNEY

Got to take our foster daughter to Disney World.

The shear joy and love we felt was overwhelming.

Another amazing moment

Just before Samuel was born

Experiencing loss before

Given an amazing Copy of Narnia

Speaking of Bryan it was actually talking this passage over with him that shaped this sermon.

He asked this question and I want to ask it of you...

Who is the most generous person you know?

Are they a curmudgeon?

Are they mopey and sullen?

No they are joyful, jovial.

You think there is a connection.

Here is the big idea

BIG IDEA: Joy is found in the content and generous heart.

Today we come to the end of Paul’s letter to the Philippians and it contains perhaps it’s most well known verse.

This is the thank you part of his letter.

In this we find a really beautiful and challenging word for us.

It starts with the secret of contentment.

I. The Secret of Contentment (v10-13)

Philippians 4:10–13 (ESV)

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. Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 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. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Now again remember Paul is under house arrest in Rome.

He is a prisoner of not supported by Rome.

We talked about this last week that he was in this predicament.

He has to fifure out how to live while in chains.

Paul though took the advice he had given earlier in this chapter.

He sought the Lord to provide for him and God graciously did so through the Philippians.

The Philippians loved Paul and long to support him but there wasn't an opportunity over the last several years.

Now a need arrises and they are eager to meet it.

Paul now rejoices because he sees the sovereign hand of God at work both to supply Paul’s need and to work in the Philippians in the process.

Paul says in verse 10 they were concerned but lacked the opportunity.

Concern is an interest, it means Paul was on their heart and mind.

I think this is helpful for us

Concern + Opportunity = Ministry

As we prepare to move into a new space we will have more opportunities to serve our body and our community.

Would you pray that God would give a concern for Coram Deo to meet those opportunities?

Now how does Paul react when he receives this gift.

He basically says, “Hey this is amazing but I wont you to know I didn’t need your gift.”

Like come on dude…this is suppose to be a thank you letter.

That’s like a weird flex and Jesus Juke.

But this is important.

He wants to point back to the confidence he has in Jesus.

He is letting his reasonableness be known, his non-anxiousness.

He is saying even if you hadn't sent the gift Jesus would take care of me, he is enough. He has me.

How is Paul able to do this?

How can he have this confidence in difficult circumstances?

He let’s us in on a little secret, he is content.

He isn’t stoic and unaffected.

He is content.

This is like the 1st plate on Thanksgiving.

Paul says he has learned this, because contentment isn't natural.

That’s why we get got the 2nd plate.

Spurgeon says Discontentment is as native to fallen hearts as thorns and thistles are to soil.

We always want more.

Look I know we are in the midst of the busiest shopping weekend of the year.

We often think more will satisfy us and it never does.

Look at this modern day parable

How relatable is that?

We want more, we are rarely content.

I mentioned earlier that we took our foster daughter to Disney World.

We go into the gates, Elsa is singing, scowl on her face…she wanted the bubble wand she saw at the front of the park

If you can’t be content at Disney world than where can you be

Contentment must be cultivated from a new heart that only Jesus can give us.

Some think that contentment is a lesson learned when we have little and generosity is learned when we have much.

Not the case.

Paul says in any and every circumstance he can be content.

He says it has nothing to do wih what is in your hands and everything to do with what is in your heart.

He tells us the secret to contentment

Philippians 4:13 (ESV)

I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Now maybe you had this on a pair of cleats or on the brim of your hat but this verse has absolutely nothing to do with sports.

This is about weathering poverty or prosperity with trust in Jesus as our ultimate provider.

Why is that?

Because our greatest need has already been provided for at the cross of Christ.

Mark 2 - Paralytic lowered through the roof - Jesus deals with his greatest need.

Paul says if you want to know how to get through inflation, if you want to know how to manage your finances, if you want to know how to thrive, the secret is contentment and the only way to be content is is through Christ.

Until we are content we will never be generous.

That is significant because a content heart is a generous heart.

That’s exactly what we see next a legacy of generosity.

II. A Legacy of Generosity (v14-16)

Philippians 4:14–16 (ESV)

Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble. 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. Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again.

Paul says to the Philippians that he was overjoyed by their generosity.

I was content, but thank you.

He says it was kind to share in his trouble.

This isn’t just a throw away line, the Philippians were partners in sharing the gospel.

How do we give to the lord?

Do we give out of a generous heart?

Or do we hold our money, our gifts tightly?

A LITTLE girl one day was given two dollars by her mother. The mother said, “Darling, one dollar is for church and one dollar is for candy after church” The little girl started on her way to church.

It was a windy day, and after a bit, she tripped and the dollars fell out of her hand. The wind took both of them, but she was able to catch one.

The other one flew away. She said, “Well, God, there goes Your dollar.”

Isn’t it interesting that it’s always God’s dollar that flies away?

Isn’t it interesting that when you have to cut, you always cut God but not anybody else?

God sees that heart.

This isn’t the heart of the Philippians, they gave out of heart that was changed by Christ.

They took the reality of what Jesus had done for them seriously, they had been shown extravagant generosity so they would be generous.

This is the fruit of what Paul said in chapter 2

Philippians 2:3 (ESV)

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.

Jesus first, others-second, self-last

This is gospel-infused community.

This is the church at her best

This is the church lovingly caring and supporting for one another.

Now here is the thing, this is the legacy of the Philippians.

2 Corinthians 8:1–5 (ESV)

We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints— and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us.

Paul is speaking of the Philippians here.

This is an amazing legacy.

Severe Affliction + Abundance of Joy + extreme poverty = Wealth of Generosity

Now that is wild right?

They are not in their poverty clinging more tightly but instead they are joyfully opening their hands

Only Jesus could do that / In fact, that’s exactly what Jesus did / 2 Cor. 8:9

Took all our discontent & distrust, all our selfishness & sin on himself

In our place condemned his stood / Sealed our pardon w/his blood /

When we receive this glorious truth with Empty hands

Our trouble became his so his blessing could become ours / Rich in him

Jesus was very real to Philippians in resurrection power / Understood grace of God to them

Understood nature of God’s contrary Kingdom / Way up is down, Exaltation, humility

Way to life is death & way to receiving blessing is giving away

By Spirit learned to loosen grip, invested in Kingdom of God like no other church in time...

We’re still talking about it today

What about us?

What will they say about Coram Deo Church?

We are young Just beginning, but need to start w/end in mind / What will our legacy be?

Joyful & generous, despite lack of affluence, or dour & stingy despite having enough

Listen Until we’re content, won’t be generous, until generous we’ll never be free...

This leads us to Paul’s call to the freedom of trusting

III. The Freedom of Trusting (v17-20)

Philippians 4:17–20 (ESV)

Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit. 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. And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.

Paul is careful to remind them, I rejoice, I’m grateful, but not after the gift

This is Not about money for Paul it is about the heart

I’m after the fruit for you, the blessing you’ll receive for being a blessing

Acts 20:35

Acts 20:35 (ESV)

In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”

Clear – We don’t give to get (carrot, horse) / But 2 Cor. 9:6-8 is also true

2 Corinthians 9:6–8 (ESV)

The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.

Paul– I’ve got all I need & more / God honored by your sacrificial generosity

Philippians weren’t giving out of surpluses, dividends, bonuses & tax refunds

Gave according to & even beyond what seemed reasonable for sake of Kingdom

This Meant hard choices, sacrifice / What can we do w/o so we can be generous w/more?

When we can joyfully put Jesus 1st others 2nd and ourselves 3rd even in this sensitive area then we know the gospel has affected us down even at heart level

In the conversation I had with Pastor Bryan about this text I confessed that I have a hard time talking about money.

I use to love getting the passages on giving, because I wasn’t getting a paycheck from the church.

Now it’s a different story.

I don’t want to be like the health/wealth/prosperity pastors.

Bryan lovingly reminded me that Jesus spoke about money more than almost anything else.

Because he knew how much our hearts were tied to it.

Randy Alcorn says it masterfully

Our use of money and possessions is a decisive statement of our eternal values. What we do with our money loudly affirms which kingdom we belong to. Whenever we give of our resources to further God’s kingdom, we cast a ballot for Christ and against Satan, for heaven and against hell. Whenever we use our resources selfishly and indifferently we further Satan’s goals. _Randy Alcorn

Coram Deo, this ultimately comes down to a matter of trust

Can I trust that whatever I have is enough?

Can I trust that if I open my hands the Lord will meet me there.

Paul has absolute confidence

Philippians 4:19 (ESV)

And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

I have countless stories of God supplying exactly what Hannah and I needed

Paul is confident because he knows that Jesus will not abandon those who seek his kingdom.

Matthew 6:33 (ESV)

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

A passage that I think is massively helpful is from Hebrews.

Hebrews 13:5 (ESV)

Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

This call to be free from the love of money isn’t just for the wealthy.

Right it’s not just for scrooge mcduck swimming in his millions.

You don’t have to have any money to love money.

I know many who are struggling financially who look to money to provide security and comfort over and above Jesus.

But here Paul and Hebrews reminds us be content.

Seek hope in the one who says I will never leave you or forsake you.

Do you believe that?

Do you trust him?

Maybe today you look at the cost of housing, maybe inflation has you sweating,

Maybe you are hoping they keep pushing back student loan payments.

It’s all rising.

Maybe you think, “Billy come on now? You are gonna preach on giving and generosity now?!”

This is where the text has taken us.

I believe it’s God’s mercy to you.

In those moments when you are anxious over money I want to ask you…is God the creator and sustainer of all things?

Does he own the cattle on a thousand hills?

Or as my friend put it, does he own airbnbs in a thousand cities.

More than that…is he your good father?

Did he give his own son for you?

Romans 8:32 (ESV)

He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?

I grew up with a heart shaped basket in our living room.

When I was a little kid I remembered a moment when my grandmother hugged my oldest brother Drew and started feeling is chest.

His right side was a higher than his left.

After some time at the doctors we discovered Drew had a hole in his heart and needed expensive open heart surgery.

I remember my mom crying on the phone.

I remember the reality of the bills that would come and how would a single mom pay for this.

…One evening we were at church.

The Pastor shared the need my family had and the concern for Drew.

A heart shaped basket was brought forward and set up front.

Row after row and person after person put money and checks until the basket overflowed.

There were folks who didn’t have much to give.

There were no questions to my Mom about success rates or how much insurance would cover.

There was just generosity.

VISION - GOSPEL

Coram Deo the gospel saturated heart is free…free enough to trust God’s provision

To be content.

Free to trust God’s kindness enough to be generous w/whatever entrusted

Free to rejoice in blessings of Jesus & opportunities he gives to show his love

So that God will be glorified in us & thru us forever...

1. How have I seen the Lord bring me encouragement and joy through his provision?

2. Where do I sense Jesus is teaching me about contentment?

3. What keeps me from being as generous as the Lord desires me to be?

4. What is one area the Lord is calling me into deeper trust?