Philippians 4:14-20 –14 Even so, you have done well to share with me in my present difficulty. 15 As you know, you Philippians were the only ones who gave me financial help when I first brought you the Good News and then traveled on from Macedonia. No other church did this. 16 Even when I was in Thessalonica you sent help more than once. 17 I don’t say this because I want a gift from you. Rather, I want you to receive a reward for your kindness. 18 At the moment I have all I need – and more! I am generously supplied with the gifts you sent me with Epaphroditus. They are a sweet-smelling sacrifice that is acceptable and pleasing to God. 19 And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus. 20 Now all glory to God our Father forever and ever! Amen. (New Living Translation)

The Premise: I must be __________________________

Proverbs 11:25 – Be generous, and you will be prosperous. Help others, and you will be helped. (Good News Translation)

Luke 6:38 – Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full – pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.” (New Living Translation)

The Value of Generosity

✓ My giving is an __________________________ to others

Philippians 4:14-16 – 14 Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. 15 More-over, as you Philippians know, . . . not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; 16 for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid again and again when I was in need. (New International Version)

✓ My giving is an __________________________ in the future

Philippians 4:17 – But though I appreciate your gifts, what makes me happiest is the well-earned reward you will have because of your kindness. (The Living Bible)

1 Timothy 6:18-19 – 18 Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and should give happily to those in need, always being ready to share with others whatever God has given them. 19 By doing this they will be storing up real treasure for themselves in heaven – it is the only safe investment for eternity! And they will be living a fruitful Christian life down here as well. (The Living Bible)

✓ My giving is a ______________________________ to God

Philippians 4:18 – . . . The gifts you sent . . . were more than enough, like a sweet-smelling sacrifice roasting on the altar, filling the air with fragrance, pleasing God no end. (The Message)

The Promise: God will __________________________

▸ What is the source?

Philippians 4:19 -- And my God will . . . (New Revised Standard Version)

▸ How broad is the scope?

Philippians 4:19 – . . . fully satisfy every need of yours . . . (New Revised Standard Version)

This scope does not include . . .

✓ . . . The consequences of _________________________

2 Thessalonians 3:10 – Even while we were with you, we gave you this command: “Those unwilling to work will not get to eat.” (New Living Translation)

✓ . . . The desires of ____________________

James 4:2-3 – 2 . . . You do not have, because you do not ask. 3 [Or] you do ask [God for them] and yet fail to receive, because you ask with wrong purpose and evil, selfish motives. Your intention is [when you get what you desire] to spend it in sensual pleasures. (Amplified Bible)

▸ What is the supply?

Philippians 4:19 – . . . according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. (New Revised Standard Version)

2 Corinthians 9:6-8 – 6 Remember this: The person who plants a little will have a small harvest, but the person who plants a lot will have a big harvest. 7 Each of you should give as you have decided in your heart to give. You should not be sad when you give, and you should not give because you feel forced to give. God loves the person who gives happily. 8 And God can give you more blessings than you need. Then you will always have plenty of everything – enough to give to every good work. (New Century Version)