The Heart of a Giver
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If you have your bibles turn to Philippians chapter 4. This is the last message in this important book to the church of Philippi, and today I am going to address something that everyone loves and that is money. But more specifically the heart of the Giver.
Now during this book, we have seen some incredible theological truths. If you missed out on any messages I would encourage you to go back and listen if you are able, but Paul closes this letter by thanking them for the gift he had recieved from them.
And from his response, I believe we can learn what the heart of a giver should look like.
In fact what I want you to see from this text as the main idea is this.
Paul teaches that giving is more than just a percentage it is a way of life.
Paul teaches that giving is more than just a percentage it is a way of life.
Let me read the text this morning and then ill supply to you many points this morning..
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. 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.
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.
In my study this week a few people helped me come up with these points, and I took my own spin on them. Making them my own, but
1st point this morning is this…
A giving heart is grateful.
A giving heart is grateful.
In this text we see this bit of gratitude from Paul, and he is rejoicing that the Philippians church would have concern for him. And that they would want to help support him.
We know from this book that Paul has a grateful heart despite his circumstances, and he extends that into the gift that was given to him. Now one Scholar said that his gratitude avoids three common pitfalls associated when talking about money, manipulation, flattery, and silence.
I thought after reading this it was important to mention to you, exactly because you should not fell like when you give to the church or any of the Lord’s work any bit of manipulation, flattery or silence. You should give with a grateful heart.
In fact really listen to this guys words because he put it so well.
He says… in regard to manipulation, Paul doesn't want his thanksgiving to be interpreted as a request for more money. Sometimes nonprofits can come off this way: "Thanks for the check. But you haven't sent anything recently. Do you really hate orphans? Then write us another check!" My wife and I have given to St. Judes over the years you get that vibe when you don’t give for a little bit.
The letters don't actually say it like that, but the message may contain a guilt-driven request.
Paul doesn't want his thankfulness to be portrayed as a clever way of asking for more. Twice in this passage he says "not in order to emphasize that he's not rejoicing because of the gift itself, nor does he want them to think he needs more help. He's interested in the church bearing fruit and pleasing God. What a great perspective huh?
Going back to that Scholar… Paul also avoids flattery. He doesn't go over the top in his commendation. He doesn't tell the church, "Im dedicating this prison cell to you, Philippians. I'm putting a plaque up with your names on it." Paul doesn't go over the top with thanks. We can do that sometimes when we receive a gift, alot of stadiums you see or schools you see have peoples names on the building because of what they give, but in the kingdom of God, we give not to be recognized, but to extend the kingdom of God, and ill speak more to that in a moment.
Finally, the scholar says.. he avoids silence. Some people fear that if they show any gratitude, the recipients will become puffed up. This is the hyper-spiritual person. Paul knows that those who serve and give faithfully should be honored.
He says.. Follow Paul's example here. If someone has blessed you, thank God for them--in front of them. You might do this with a letter or face-to-face. Thank God for those who care for you. Thank God for those who bless you in various ways.
Always have a grateful heart.
Secondly take note of this…
A giving heart is content.
A giving heart is content.
Being content is probably the most underrated part of being a Christian. And its also one of the hardest things to do. Its one of the things that hit me hardest when preparing for this sermon.
Living the Christian life in American in the age of Social Media, and seeing what everyone else has makes it far harder.
But Paul unlocks what it means to be content in these three verses in fact I could argue might wreck you if you have a problem with contentment.
In verse 11 and 12 he lays it out.
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.
Paul is telling the people of Philippi look I have had it all and I have has nothing.
So many of us think we can reach contentment with stuff or being in certain situations, or having certain circumstances. But the reality is if we put our contentment in those things then we will never truly have it. You can say ill give when i reach this place or ect…
One Poem I read this week causes you to think… It was spring, but it was summer I wanted, The warm days, and the great outdoors.
It was summer, but it was fall I wanted, The colorful leaves, and the cool, dry air.
It was fall, but it was winter I wanted,
The beautiful snow, and the joy of the holiday season.
It was now winter, but it was spring I wanted, The warmth, and the blossoming of nature.
I was a child, but it was adulthood I wanted, The freedom, and the respect.
I was 20, but it was 30 I wanted, To be mature, and sophisticated.
I was middle-aged, but it was 20 I wanted,
The youth, and the free spirit.
I was retired, but it was middle age that I wanted, The presence of mind, without limitations.
My life was over, but I never got what I wanted.
Many of us can relate to that poem. I am not exempt from this even as a pastor, contentment is something I have to find in Jesus Christ. Paul says its not in circumstances, but Paul says he had to learn it as well.
Contentment is something to be learned, and Paul learned it from his life. We learn how to have a giving heart as we walk through this life.
Listen to how he learned it from other letters he wrote.
11 To the present hour we hunger and thirst, we are poorly dressed and buffeted and homeless, 12 and we labor, working with our own hands. When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure;
heres another…
4 but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: by great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, 5 beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger;
one more I have referenced many times..
25 Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea; 26 on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers; 27 in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure.
Going back to Philippians Paul learned in all those situations and even more what it meant to be content in every circumstance, how does that tie back into a giving heart. Well its simple. Because often are finances are the source of our contentment.
It makes us feel a little better if our bills are paid, food is in the fridge, and our bank account has a few zeros at end. WE all want that, but for some of us its never enough.
Listen to Soloman.
7 Two things I ask of you;
deny them not to me before I die:
8 Remove far from me falsehood and lying;
give me neither poverty nor riches;
feed me with the food that is needful for me,
9 lest I be full and deny you
and say, “Who is the Lord?”
or lest I be poor and steal
and profane the name of my God.
Scripture teaches us that Soloman asked God for wisdom and that was given to him, and he thought this about riches, Paul in other places speaks of money saying this…
9 But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.
and this again a few verses later.
17 As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. 18 They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, 19 thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.
From looking at Pauls writings we see him say Money is not the evil, but the love of it is, and for those who have much of it not to set there hopes in it, because it can lead them away from the Lord.
Paul says do good, be rich is good works, and be generous..
And that is truly learned by embracing verse 13.
13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
One of those famous verses in all of the bible. But in its context it might not have the same meaning that so many other people use it for. Or what you have used it for your whole life.
When I was in Seminary, part of the requirement was to take 1 year of New Testament. And in one of the classes my Professor spent quite a bit of time just on this one verse.
Why did he do that, because this verse is taken out of context quite a bit.
Context is always king when interpreting any verse. Dusting off my notes my professor who is a key NT scholar during our time He said.. Notice the word for all things, and notice the setting for this verses, Paul had learned to live contently in any circumstance, and knew how to be content with much and with little, so the all things go back to any and every circumstance, thus Paul had to continually rely on Christ power.
Thus the verse is really saying… I can have the victory over, and I can be content in any circumstance through my union with Christ who continually strengthens me.
One guy said this and it really hit me.. Paul learned the secret because he learned to give attention to the Savior..
Thats how to learn to be content by looking to Jesus as your strength, as your source in any situation.
5 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.”
When you have a giving heart give while being content with what you have..
Third point..
A giving heart is cooperative.
A giving heart is cooperative.
Verse 14 says.. It was kind of you to share in my trouble. Paul had a hard ministry that he worked hard himself to support unlike his call to pay ministers of the gospel he believed that he was to be a tentmaker by trade, now this church wanted to walk along side him and advance the gospel, we see this in the SBC with our own cooperative program how we help people go to school, become missionaries, plant churches, and so much more.
And Paul wants to let them and us know that when we give to the mission we are cooperating with other ministries.
In verse 15 and 16 he says..
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.
To Paul there was no other church like the church of Philippi that showed Paul this great act of gratitude, love, and cooperation.
When you give don’t just see it as keeping the lights on, or making sure the staff gets paid. Its much more than that. See it as cooperating for the kingdom of God.
Listen to one thing I read..As individuals, don't be customers; be co-laborers. Join as partners through financial giving. See the relationship between being a partner and giving financially. Don't be a ninja. Don't simply appear on a Sunday, and then vanish mysteriously. Become a partner. Surely, partnership involves more than money, but money is important; we can't carry out the mission with pure sympathy.
I say that mission statement every-week, and the reality is we cannot fulfill the mission without funding the mission, and Paul was thankful that this church came along to walk along side him, and as a church we do a great job cooperating together, but maybe some of you are not, Idk that is between you and the Lord, but know this if you have a grateful, content, and cooperate heart you will be one who gives to the kingdom of God, its that simple, and because you give you will bear fruit.
Listen to my 4th point this morning.
A giving heart bears fruit.
A giving heart bears fruit.
v17
17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit.
Paul does not say that he sought this gift. But see what he says he seeks the fruit that comes from it… That increases to your credit.
He says this because he wants them to profit spiritually from giving. I am convinced from the scripture that financial stewardship is a sign of a faithful fruitful Christian life.
And when we give to the church, and to God our return is not like that of a bank account we invest in the kingdom of heaven.In fact one Pastor Alistair Begg said that while it's not a bad idea to have an IRA (Individual Retirement Account), every believer should have an IEA (Individual Eternal Account); that is, we should be laying up treasures in heaven. Regarding one's IEA, he asks, "What's in it?" and "When did you make your last contribution?" (Begg, "Everyone Needs One"). The safest and surest investment is to steward your resources faithfully for the good of the kingdom. Paul is thrilled because the Philippians are contributing to this eternal account, showing that their treasure isn't here on earth, demonstrating that they are citizens of heaven.
When you give you are contributing to the fruitful work for the kingdom of God, and in turn you are worshiping the Lord.
Which leads to my 5th point today.
A Giving heart knows giving is an act of worship.
A Giving heart knows giving is an act of worship.
There is a misconception to often that worship is just the singing of songs back to the Lord in praise, I know many of you all don’t believe that here, even though that is part of worship. and Paul wants to tell the people that there giving is an act of worship.
Listen to v18
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.
The church of Philippis offering was an offering that was acceptable and pleasing to God. Scholars agree that if you offered a gift with the right heart it would be pleasing to him.
Its not about just giving your 10 percent or whatever the Lord has put on your heart, its about giving what he has called you to give with the right heart as an act of worship.
For a God who has given us everything we could ever need in Christ we should desire to give him back what is rightfully his, and know this, as hard as you work, as talented as you may be the only reason you have anything is because God is gracious to you and has giving you more than you need. And know this as well you can never out give God but you can give showing that you truly worship him.
One man said every week when we give our offerings, we should say this is only by your grace, Lord. Receive this as a joyful offering of worship to the One who made me his own. He would also say. Worship God with your money, but don’t worship money.
Giving is an act of worship so treat it with the right heart.
We do all this because we have faith that what we are doing matters.
last point this morning is this…
A giving heart takes faith.
A giving heart takes faith.
v19-20
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.
The Philippian church was not rich by any means, but they gave to meet the needs of Paul, and in turn Paul tells them God is going to give you everything you need.
There is a disconnect of what we want and need often. Even in the church, but Paul I believe goes beyond just our basic needs, like water, food, clothing, shelter he is referring to our spiritual needs. He gives us a grateful heart, he gives us contentment, he gives us a heart to cooperate, he allows us to bear fruit, and we worship him, by faith.
Everything we do in this life takes faith, it takes faith to hit the breaks on your car to believe that it will stop, and it takes faith to give what you have. You can believe what I said earlier about how everything belongs to God, but its another thing to act on that faith that he will provide and use it to grow his kingdom and you.
Flip over to the left in your bible for just a moment, and go to 2 Cor 9:6-15 This will begin to wrap up this sermon..
6 The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 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. 9 As it is written,
“He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor;
his righteousness endures forever.”
10 He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. 12 For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God. 13 By their approval of this service, they will glorify God because of your submission that comes from your confession of the gospel of Christ, and the generosity of your contribution for them and for all others, 14 while they long for you and pray for you, because of the surpassing grace of God upon you. 15 Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!
Paul got to a place where he knew these truths first hand by faith, this is not prosperity preaching its just biblical. At the end of the day you reap what you sow when it comes to giving and the fruit of that may come in this life, in a variety of different ways.. as someone who has been giving to the church faithfully for many years now I have seen the Lord meet many needs physically, but more importantly he has used money that I and my wife have given for his kingdom. And he has given me an percentage that goes beyond a tithe to give the local church that allows me to be cheerful, and faithful meeting the needs to the church, and he has done the same for you.
Be serious about your giving and do so with the right heart. And always give by faith.
Finally this text closes out in verses Phil 4:21-23
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 ends this by greeting those believers in Christ who he has been writing to, while mentioning that his prison sentence has not been in vain, as he has seen many come to Jesus in his chains.
Today I want to ask you to truly look at your own personal giving not by just the percentage you may give or the amount it may be, but the condition of your heart when you give. See when the heart is changed giving is not just a chore, but a choice, not just a duty, but a joy, and when you have a grateful heart because Jesus came and died on the cross for you even though you are a sinner it changes everything including how and what you give. See Jesus died so you would be content to rest in his work and know that you don’t have to give this or that to be saved, but so you can give no matter what season you are in trusting that God will supply your every need. When you give at Agape we make sure to try our best to cooperate with the sbc, and other needs and you to take what you give and leverage it for the advancement of the kingdom of God. Know when you write a check or throw cash in the plate or give online that you are not just giving to a place but to a kingdom so his mission and our mission can be achieved, and when you give you are worshiping the Lord, and doing that by faith knowing all that you give is going to the kingdom to God, and its work that is why you give.
If you are not a believer in Christ this message may seem a little different for you, but know this Jesus came to die on the cross because we are sinners, rising three days later proving he had dominion over life and death, and all those who repent and believe will be saved. and will want to because of their changed heart give just a part of what he has given us.
Pray with me…