The Profit in Generosity

Philippians 4:14–23 (NASB95)

14 Nevertheless, you have done well to share with me in my affliction.

15 You yourselves also know, Philippians, that at the first preaching of the gospel, after I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving but you alone;

16 for even in Thessalonica you sent a gift more than once for my needs.

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

18 But I have received everything in full and have an abundance; I am amply supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what you have sent, a fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God.

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

20 Now to our God and Father be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

21 Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren 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.

Whether you’re an individual, a family, or a business at some point we’re going to need to invest our money at some point. It may not be a formal investment account, but we do at some point put our money where we believe we’re going to get a decent return. Whether we recognize it or not before every purchase we make some kind of internal evaluation of the return we’re going to get on our investment. Is it worth it? If we invest in an index fund of some kind we want to see an expected return rate of some kind and a risk evaluation. We want some assurance of the return we’re going to have on the investment. We do the same thing when we walk into Chick fil A! We see that spicy deluxe sandwich, look at the price and make an evaluation. I don’t know about you, but I think it’s worth it every time!

I’d like us to make a similar evaluation with regards to our investment in the cause of the gospel. Paul identifies a very real return or gain from this investment. It may not be as tangible or measurable as our ordinary investments, but it is more lasting than any return we may gain on this earth.

We concluded last week with Paul’s contentment in every circumstance both humble and abundant. which was followed by his rejoicing that the Philippian church had finally come to support him materially in his gospel ministry. As much as Paul wants the church to know of his contentment, he’s going to circle back in thanks for all that the church has done to support Him over the years and remind them of the return they will receive on their investment. The interesting part is the kind of return Paul assures them of. They may have invested material funds, but the gain, the return is almost entirely spiritual in nature.

Our material giving towards gospel ministry bears fruit in our gain, God’s glory, and holy greetings.

We have two points today:

Firstly

Investment

2. Return

Forewarning the second point has three sub-points.

a. Our Gain

b. God’s Glory

c. Family Greetings

Investment

14 Nevertheless, you have done well to share with me in my affliction.

15 You yourselves also know, Philippians, that at the first preaching of the gospel, after I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving but you alone;

16 for even in Thessalonica you sent a gift more than once for my needs.

Initially we can make a few observations. Three times in these few verse mention an investment of some kind, one for each verse. In the NASB we can see sharing, giving, and a gift. Let’s ask a simple question. What was the intention of the Philippians church’s gift to Paul? Was it intended to accomplish some end or purpose or was it truly just a gift? Well Paul mentions three contextual elements that help us understand what Paul was doing that may have inspired the church’s giving.

Firstly, in verse 14: affliction

Secondly, in verse 15: the preaching of the gospel

Finally, in verse 16 Paul is in need.

We could perhaps see the giving of the church as not unlike the giving we see in Acts 2.

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update Chapter 2

44 And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common;

45 and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need.

---

We might certainly expect the church at Philippi to live in accord with the Spirit’s working that was evident in Acts, giving in generosity towards the general needs of the church, but we’ll see in a moment that the church in Philippi weren’t merely investing in Paul’s personal well-being as praiseworthy as that would have been.

For one, Paul in our text describes his needs and afflictions in the context of His gospel ministry. As we’ve seen in our walk through Philippians, there’s much Paul has left behind and counted as loss for the cause of Christ. Paul’s need and afflictions are rarely circumstantial as if they’ve come upon him suddenly. Paul’s needs and afflictions are a product of His devotion to Christ and the furtherance of the gospel, and the Philippians know this. They all would have known of his imprisonment in Philippi for preaching the gospel. We can find that narrative in Acts 16. Paul would have had a kind of reputation to the church at Philippi. When they hear that Paul’s in trouble, afflicted, or in need they would have rightly come to the conclusion, “Well I guess Paul’s been preaching again.” There’s no separating Paul’s hardship from Paul’s ministry. Therein to support Paul in His hardship is to support his ministry.

Should we go back to Philippians 2 and see how Paul describes Epaphroditus, the one who delivered the Philippians support we can see more clearly the nature of the Philippians investment. As Paul is sending Epaphroditus back to them he says,

Philippians 2:29–30 (NASB95)

29 Receive him then in the Lord with all joy, and hold men like him in high regard;

30 because he came close to death for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was deficient in your service to me.

---

The work of Epaphroditus in delivering this support to Paul is characterized explicitly as, ‘the work of Christ.” Now in one sense we may rightly see the care of the church for one another in ordinary needs as the work of Christ, but as we’ll see in a moment, Paul is referring pretty explicitly to the gospel ministry. Paul recognizes the financial support of himself as one and the same w/ the support of the work of Christ. Should we follow the narrative in Acts from chapter 16 through chapter 17 and see Paul’s arrival in Thessalonica, about 100 miles down the road from Philippi, he faces a firm resistance to the gospel by a mob and begins to receive multiple gifts from the church at Philippi.

Have you ever gone on a road trip, you just spent a whole day packing, the kids are in the car, you role out on the highway only to realize you’re on E and have to stop. You think, “already??” Man we’re never going to get there. I can’t help but think what’s going through the Philippian church’s heads. Paul goes down the road to the next town and he’s already in trouble. Are they thinking, “is this guy a good investment?” He’s sure not going anywhere fast. No! They send money multiple times, why? Because the reason he’s in trouble is he’s proclaiming the gospel, the same gospel the church at Philippi know to be the source of their salvation. I can imagine them saying with every gift, “Keep preaching! Keep preaching!”

Paul’s journey goes on from Thessalonica to Berea, Athens, and Corinth where we see further evidence of the Philippian church’s support of Paul’s ministry.

Let’s turn to 2 Corinthians 11:9

2 Corinthians 11:9 NASB95

9 and when I was present with you and was in need, I was not a burden to anyone; for when the brethren came from Macedonia they fully supplied my need, and in everything I kept myself from being a burden to you, and will continue to do so.

---

If there’s some confusion, Macedonia is the larger region in which Philippi is found. Paul reminds the church at Corinth, who are known for being a wealthy church mind you, that he has received gifts from Philippi, his only supporter, so that he would not be burden to them. Paul’s ambition to not be a burden on the church first results in his work as a tentmaker. We can see this in Acts as well.

Acts 18:1–5 (NASB95)

1 After these things he left Athens and went to Corinth.

2 And he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, having recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to leave Rome. He came to them,

3 and because he was of the same trade, he stayed with them and they were working, for by trade they were tent-makers.

4 And he was reasoning in the synagogue every Sabbath and trying to persuade Jews and Greeks.

5 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.

---

Before Paul receives any gifts from the Philippians he’s doing gospel ministry and making ends meet as a tentmaker so as not to be a burden on the church, but the Philippians generosity is not exhausted. The brothers, Silas and Timothy come from Macedonia with a gift and what does Paul do? He does more gospel ministry! “he devoted himself completely to the word.”

The Philippians know Paul’s reputation. Whether Paul has support or not he’s going to find a way to preach the gospel, and the Philippian church knows that there’s no better investment than a man who wants nothing more than the gospel to be preached to the degree that he’s willing to be imprisoned. “Every dollar we send that man means less time working for his own needs and more time working for the cause of Christ.”

Then to top it all off, the Philippian church has sent another gift to Paul in Rome.

...

How does Paul’s account here of the Philippian investment instruct us today?

Firstly, there is one surefire investment we can make without hesitation: That is the furtherance of the gospel, the good news which has given us eternal life in Christ. This isn’t to diminish the investments towards the needs of the church and the common good among us. The church in Acts is characteristically marked by a sacrificial giving for the ordinary needs of the church, and we would do well to do the same. One might say the church is held together and thrives by the mutual love and care of one another, but lives or dies by the truth of the gospel. It’s only reasonable to seek life before we seek thriving! The Philippian church is a humble church, certainly not without needs, yet they give again and again and again toward gospel preaching because they know that if Paul did not come declaring that good news they would still be dead in their sins. The gospel is the treasure of the church, our treasure, and every investment made toward its preservation and proclamation is sure to bear fruit.

I hope we would see here Paul’s tone and emphasis. Paul is not calling the Philippians to do something they have not already done. He wants them to take heart and be comforted in their good investment, and I hope you would hear the same from me. The generosity of this church is truly extraordinary, and on top of that a generosity that is devoted to the preservation and proclamation of the gospel. Few are found so generous. Fewer still are found so generous and found investing in the humble work of gospel proclamation. I hope you might take comfort in your ongoing and generous investment in the gospel that is preserved and proclaimed in this church.

Very often as I go to teach or preach there are clear points of application points for everyone in the room, but every once in a while I find a passage that applies to pastors pretty directly serving as a call to the elders. This passage however seems to describe a gospel preacher uniquely supported by the generosity of the church... I now stand before you uniquely supported by the generosity of this church for the purpose of gospel preservation and proclamation as a pastor. It is a humbling privilege to devote my time and energy to ministry, and I would ask for your prayers when you give.

Pray that God would use me for your good and the furtherance of the gospel.

Pray that God would give me strength that is His and not my own.

Pray that God would give me wisdom that his His and not my own.

Pray that in all my efforts God would receive the glory.

In short, I hope you would take heart in your generous investment in gospel ministry, yet please pray that the Lord would make me effective as I seek to steward that investment.

Paul goes on to encourage the church at Philippi by assuring them of the return they can expect from their investment, a glorious return.

Return

a. Our Gain

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

18 But I have received everything in full and have an abundance; I am amply supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what you have sent, a fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God.

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

---

Immediately the Philippians get some good news. There’s a return, a profit to their account. You might imagine these words would come as a surprise in and of themselves. Surely the church didn’t view Paul as some sort of business venture needing a financier.

“Paul we’re going to fund your itinerant preaching venture all the way to Rome. Don’t feel like you need to pay us back right away, but we expect 20 percent of the proceeds in the end, and Paul being a good business man assures them of a profit to their account in the end.” No it was nothing like that. The Philippian church probably knew, Paul wasn’t a good financial investment if you were looking for a financial return given how often Paul got into trouble. As much as Paul was eager for their profit it wasn’t a financial profit it was a reward that not even Paul could provide. So who’s providing the reward? Where does the return, the profit come from? Well it turns out this isn’t a two party venture, but rather a three party venture.

In verse 18 Paul introduces some pretty obvious sacrificial language that eludes to Old Testament worship. Paul in some ways is removing himself from the picture altogether and points their eyes to God. Paul recognizes that the church was giving to his needs the whole time, but wants them to know that every gift they gave to enable his ministry was an act of worship to God. Again we have a rather bold statement from Paul, comparing the support of his ministry to a perfect sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God. I don’t know that missionaries write support letters with quite that language , but there’s truth in that isn’t there? The giving of gifts for the furtherance of the kingdom even to the humblest of servants is well pleasing to God. We praise him with our gift, and worship him, because in that gift we recognize the worth of Christ proclaimed even through humble preachers.

Paul says, I have more than enough, but my satisfaction shouldn’t be your satisfaction, be satisfied because what you have given to me is pleasing in the eyes of God! Not only that, be satisfied because there is profit to your account for your gift. There is certainly profit in the privilege of worshipping God with our money, even profit in the assurance of his care which he mentions in verse 19, but I believe Paul speaks of a profit waiting for those whose works and gifts accord with their faith. Let’s consider briefly the correlation between what pleases God and this profit that Paul speaks of.

Hosea speaks a word of rebuke to the people of Israel who think that mere sacrifices are what please God.

Hosea 6:6 (NASB95)

6 For I delight in loyalty rather than sacrifice, And in the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.

---

It wasn’t the sacrifices themselves that God desired it was their heart and their loyalty.

Jesus reiterates the idea in Mathew 9

Matthew 9:13 (NASB95)

13“But go and learn what this means: ‘I DESIRE COMPASSION, AND NOT SACRIFICE,’ for I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

Again those who are pleasing to God are not the righteous who are so faithful to the sacrificial system. In the end it is the sinner who is saved and compassionate who pleases God.

Hebrews makes it very clear.

Hebrews 11 speaks of the faith which pleases God

Hebrews 11:6 (NASB95)

6 And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.

---

What is pleasing to God is the heart of faith which trusts in Christ for salvation. Those who cherish the gospel, it’s preservation and its proclamation. It’s these who walk by faith, investing in the foolish means of the gospel and the kingdom who are pleasing to God. And the writer of Hebrews says they ‘must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.

I believe Paul is making a similar argument. Those who seek Christ and the furtherance of His glory through the gospel ought to take heart in the reward that awaits them. They store up treasures in heaven for the investment they make here on earth.

The wonderful thing is that as much as we wait for that reward in heaven Paul says God supplies all of our needs even now!

I’ve always loved the passage where Jesus says,

Matthew 11:28–30 (NASB95)

28“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.

29“Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS.

30“For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

---

There’s this picture of sharing a yoke with Christ as a younger ox would with an older more experienced ox. He shares the burden with us! He provides for us and when all is said and done we’ll look back and see just how needy we were, how desperate we were without him, and then after bearing our burden with us for our entire lives he rewards us at the end... We truly serve a gracious God!

There’s a great comfort here that Paul makes clear. Our needs are provided for no matter how much we give, and for all that we give more awaits us in the end for the treasure that is stored up there. At times to walk by faith is to simply invest in a return we won’t see until after we’re dead knowing a greater reward awaits us there.

For those who’ve served faithfully here for years upon years while giving faithfully, a wonderful reward waits for you! Your service is a pleasing aroma to God and a true act of worship. You’re example to the rest of us is especially needed. For the rest of us who have not been here that long. Might we follow their example. Serve faithfully, give faithfully knowing our needs are provided and our treasure is in heaven.

Paul makes a very important point in all of this so that the church would recognize that even when all the rewards are distributed in heaven and we come to see the treasure we’ve been investing in for years and years, it’s not about us, to put it bluntly.

b. God’s Glory

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

20 Now to our God and Father be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

---

Up until this point we’ve considered ourselves, the church, to be the investor in our analogy, which we ought to, yet all we have to invest is not of our own making.

John the Baptist during his ministry was informed that Jesus was baptizing and everyone was going to Him instead of John. As if to say, John aren’t you worried about all this time and energy you’ve invested in your ministry all for your followers to go and follow Jesus? Aren’t you concerned with preserving some glory for yourself?

John 3:27 (NASB95)

27 John answered and said, “A man can receive nothing unless it has been given him from heaven.

---

John was entrusted with the gifts of a prophet to go before Christ and prepare the way for him. He was to invest time and energy in calling people to repentance so that at the end of the day all would look to Christ and the glory would be His! John understood his purpose. He knew where his gifts came from. He knew that his disciples weren’t his own, they were disciples of Christ.

I believe Paul would like the Philippians to realize again that not only are they worshipping God with their generosity, they’re investing in God’s glory. When we realize we are stewards of the Master’s kingdom, that all we have is intended for the glory of God, then we can rest and rejoice when God gets the glory as John did. John was not bothered when the disciples turned to Christ because he knew he was a steward. His entire purpose was to invest what he had that Christ would be known and God would receive the glory.

Very often when you walk through a museum or a college you see plaques placed in prominent places. If you take time to look at them, those plaques are very often a way of recognizing donors who have given to that museum or institution, and very often the larger the donation the more prominent position that name will be displayed. Some people have entire departments named after them for their support of the institution. I don’t necessarily think that such a practice is wrong; it’s a way of saying thank you in part for the generosity of those donors, but I believe we as the church give with very different expectations. Paul certainly recognizes the appropriateness of saying thank you, but at the end of the day the name of Christ is on the plaque. The name of Christ is on the university department. The name of Christ is on the stadium.

As John would go on to say:

John 3:30 (NASB95)

30“He must increase, but I must decrease.

---

To God be the glory in our investing of money, time, and gifts because what do we have that we have not been graciously given, and who is more worthy of such glory than our Savior?

Paul moves on to close his letter with Greetings.

I believe it is important to note that I believe Paul has concluded his argument regarding the investment of the church at Philippi. They’re generous giving towards Paul’s ministry is not made in vain and will certainly return a reward for themselves and God’s glory. The argument can conclude there, but I’d like us to see one more return on the Philippian investment evident here in this simple greeting.

c. Greetings

21 Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren 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.

---

Simply put, investment in gospel ministry returns a greater fellowship among the saints. The Philippian church has grown to develop a great relationship with Paul through their support and therein a distant fellowship with even the believers in Rome, specifically those of Caesar’s household. This is likely to refer to the servants or perhaps the soldiers who would have worked in Caesar’s household, and this little church at Philippi has a degree of partnership and fellowship together though separated by so many differences. We can certainly recognize the unity of the greater church that would allow fellowship between these two churches, but beyond that they’re both united in their common fellowship with Paul and investment in his ministry. Paul very well may have been influential in many of Caesar’s household coming to faith, and naturally Paul would be eager to introduce them to fellow believers who have supported his ministry so faithfully. They may never meet in person, but they greet one another as brothers and sisters in Christ - as fellow partners in gospel ministry.

We may not be able to see the reward that awaits us in heaven or the glory which God will receive from our investment in gospel ministry, but at times God graciously blesses our investment and allows us the joy of seeing new believers come to faith, new members come to our church, our children come to faith in Christ. If we hope or pray for a return on our investment in this life might it be the greetings and fellowship of fellow brothers and sisters who love Christ and desire his glory. At the end of the day, the kingdom is comprised of people. The church of Christ is people. The love of Christ is for His people.

Might we cherish the fellowship and the greetings we experience here week after week as we partner together in gospel ministry, and by God’s grace perhaps we will come to enjoy fellowship with others who come to faith as a result of our partnership in gospel ministry. Let’s not hesitate to pray for that return. We pray because we recognize no matter how great our investment it is all for nothing if the Spirit does not work.

As we go to pray might we take Paul’s words to heart in comfort.

23 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

It is the grace of Christ that makes our investment fruitful.

Let’s Pray.