Philippians 4:10-20

The Concern

The church at Philippi sent a gift to Paul in Rome by way of Epaphroditus. It had been ten years since Paul had recieved a gift from them. He mentions that their concern had been revived. It was not the gift that was meaningful to Paul it was the concern and love that the Philippians had for Paul that was expressed through their gift.

He also mentions that they were concerned before but lacked opportunity to act. We do not know if it was because they didn’t have the resources to give or Paul did not have reason to receive a gift. There were times where Paul chose to not receive gifts from other churches to demonstrate that he was not sharing the gospel for money. He would work as a tent-maker to provide for his needs. 1 Thess.2:9

1 Thessalonians 2:9 NASB95

For you recall, brethren, our labor and hardship, how working night and day so as not to be a burden to any of you, we proclaimed to you the gospel of God.

1 Corinthians 9:6 NASB95

Or do only Barnabas and I not have a right to refrain from working?

1 Corinthians 9:11–12 NASB95

If we sowed spiritual things in you, is it too much if we reap material things from you? If others share the right over you, do we not more? Nevertheless, we did not use this right, but we endure all things so that we will cause no hindrance to the gospel of Christ.

1 Corinthians 9:18 NASB95

What then is my reward? That, when I preach the gospel, I may offer the gospel without charge, so as not to make full use of my right in the gospel.

However their came a time where Paul had to commit to full time ministry and depended on the gifts of the churches for his sustenance. Acts 18:5

Acts 18:5 NASB95

But when Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul began devoting himself completely to the word, solemnly testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Christ.

When the ministry of the church became so demanding of Paul’s time, he chose to receive the gifts from the churches so he could devote all his time to the word of God and ministry.

Contentment

The reason the concern was more important than the gift was Paul did not need the gift. He had learned the secret of contentment. The secret of contentment is to be grateful for the provision of the Lord.

There were seasons in Paul’s life that he only had the necessities of life. (food, clothes, and shelter) There were also times when Paul had an abundance that afforded him some luxuries in life. Paul’s contentment was not dictated on what he had, but in the heart of gratitude in what Christ had supplied him.

Philippians 4:13 NASB95

I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.

There are two ways that a person can be wealthy according to Stoics. The first is to accumulate massive amounts of wealth to cater to your every desire. However, the stoics believed that a person that has desire for nothing is more wealthy than the person that has everything.

Socrates was once asked who was the wealthiest man. He answered: ‘He who is content with least, for autarkeia is nature’s wealth.’ The Stoics believed that the only way to contentment was to abolish all desire until a stage had been reached when nothing and no one was essential to life.

William Barclay, The Letters to Philippians, Colossians, and Thessalonians, 3rd ed. fully rev. and updated., The New Daily Study Bible (Louisville, KY; London: Westminster John Knox Press, 2003), 99.

Paul’s contentment was not rooted in worldly possessions but on the strength Christ gave him to be grateful and content in whatever circumstance the Lord allowed in his life.

Unfortunately, we life in a materialistic society that believes the more stuff you have the happier you will be. One thing that I have found with people that believe this is that they are never satisfied. They always want more. Also, the more stuff they have, the more stuff has them.

Then there are those that do not have a lot and thin that if they could have more that they will be happier. What they find is when they do get something that they believe will make them happy, it does not satisfy and actually costs them more than they expected.

A healthy balance is to be grateful for what the Lord blesses you with. This is why it is important when someone wants to bless you with something, you never turn them down. You simply receive it and say ,”thank you”.

Blessing of Giving

Paul was over joyed by the profit that God was going to give the Philippians fr their gift to Paul. Phil. 4:17

Philippians 4:17 NASB95

Not that I seek the gift itself, but I seek for the profit which increases to your account.

God blesses those who give cheerfully to His purposes. 2 Cor. 9:6-7

2 Corinthians 9:6–7 NASB95

Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

When we give to the church, charities, and people in need God blesses those who give cheerfully. It is not the amount that is given that is important to God, it is the heart behind the gift.

The reward that God gives a cheerful giver is Phil. 4:19

Philippians 4:19 NASB95

And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

God blesses those who cheerfully give, by supplying all their needs according to His riches in glory. That is much more than we can ever give. It is coming from His storehouse!