Contentment and Thankfulness
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But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned before, but you lacked an opportunity to act.
Not that I speak from need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.
I know how to get along with little, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need.
I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.
Nevertheless, you have done well to share with me in my difficulty.
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 except you alone;
for even in Thessalonica you sent a gift more than once for my needs.
Not that I seek the gift itself, but I seek the profit which increases to your account.
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, pleasing to God.
And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
Now to our God and Father be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me greet you.
All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar’s household.
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
If you are a Dairyman (or Dairywoman), can you recall a time when you had very little and wondered if you will ever make it?
Have any of you ever lost a job and wondered how you pay rent/mortgage?
We also live in a culture that is also never satisfied.
HAMILTON
GREATEST SHOWMAN (NEVER ENOUGH)
WE WANT MORE (NOT NEED). We need things bigger and better. We want more money to do more things, it is NEVER ENOUGH
Philippians 4:10, 16-18
As Paul closed his letter, he made sure to acknowledge the Philippians gift and concern for him. (Instead of the Philippians using the money for other things)
What did Paul do first? He REJOICED!
What did Paul rejoice about? Or, why was he glad? Because they “revived” their concern for Paul. Why is this important?
The text tells us the Philippians were not able to help previously. It was not a matter of ignorance. The rest of verse one note, they lacked opportunity to act.
The key to this is found in the word ‘revived.’
It is the Greek word: ἀναθάλλω: it means to grow again, to sprout/bloom. For the context of the letter to the Philippians, Greek word/context studies note it means: to cause to be in a state, identical with a previous state, cause to grow/bloom again.
We do not know the reasoning why the Philippian church was unable to give earlier. What we do know is that it was not a matter of intention or heart. They had just lacked the opportunity to. Maybe harvest had not yet happen, maybe there were more pressing needs in their community, maybe they were collecting for Paul for a time and wanted it to be a good gift? We cannot know for certain.
Whatever the reason, we do know that the Philippian church participated in:
Sacrificial Giving
There are two clues we find to this:
Found in verse 15 and 16.
No church shared in giving
Even when Paul was in Thessalonica, they send him more than one gift.
Why did the church in Thessalonica not give?
1 Thess. 2:9, 13
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.
For this reason we also constantly thank God that when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but for what it really is, the word of God, which also performs its work in you who believe.
1. The second clue is in verse 18
Paul made special note that he received an abundance. He is amply supplied.
The gift was
a fragrant aroma
an acceptable sacrifice
pleasing to God.
The Philippian church shared when they were able, and when they did, they delivered, it was a sacrifice to the church, but they thought it necessary, being led by the Spirit in their giving, to offer Paul these gifts.
Give when the Opportunities Arise
We can discern from this context that the Philippians gave on more than three occasions to Paul. And they did so when the opportunity arose, or was available to them.
What can we learn from the example of the Philippian church? Give when you have opportunity and give sacrificially. Each day, week, month, are you giving when you have an opportunity to do so?
Do you look at your bank account and say, “I have an opportunity to give?” (Elaborate)
Do you look at your heard, animals, produce, or products you sell and think, “I have an opportunity to give?” (Elaborate)
Find those opportunities regularly and be the blessing to others God knows you can be.
__________________________________
So, we see Paul acknowledging the sacrificial giving from the church in Philippi. He then made a point on
Living with Contentment
Philippians 4:11-12
First, what does it mean to be content? To be satisfied or to make do.
There is a clue in Hebrews 13:5
Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, “I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you,”
It is here the author is speaking of money. But, I think the principle applies here as well. The author said, “Be content with what you have.” Why? The author points to God and wrote, “I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you.”
In verse 11, a better way to look at this, is not just contentment, as we understand it, for the literal Greek Meaning is closer to self-sufficiency.
What Paul told those in Philippi, was that he was able to be self-sufficient in any circumstance. He would be able to find a way. How? Go back to the Hebrews passage: “I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you.”
Paul knew the source of his self-sufficiency was Christ. Which is why he noted in verse 13,
Philippians 4:13
Some of you versions may say, Christ, in place of Him or the One. You should know the early manuscripts did not have Christ in the text here. As a matter of fact, the Greek word, Christ, was not inserted in the text until about the 4th-5th century.
From then, and moving forward, it was not really a question that Christ is the one being referred to by Paul. Some scholars try to say it is not referring to Christ, and Paul only means to say that he can be strengthened by those who provide for him. In this case, the Philippian church is providing Paul the strength.
However, if Christ was how the early church saw Paul’s source of strength, than so ought we too. I only mention this, because it is important not to just take the word of a few “scholars.” Do your research and/or listen to trusted experts on the Word of God.
We will keep referring to this in the immediate context. First, Paul knew how to get along...
With Little
...with little
...going hungry
...and suffering need
How many of you have experienced any, or all three of these? (Elaborate)
How was Paul able to over come this trifecta? Verse 13.
Paul also knew what it was like to have plenty.
With Plenty
...to live in prosperity
...of being filled
...having abundance
How many of you have experienced any, or all three of these? (Elaborate)
Paul acknowledged the source of plenty was also Christ. Paul, in the times of little relied on what Christ provided, or allowed Paul to be provided with. Whether it be through Paul’s self-sufficiency or Christ created the means or lack there of (for the building up of Paul). (Elaborate).
Matthew 6:25 speaks of knowing how God will provide, so there is no need to be anxious about the necessities of life.
“For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?
Do you have food to eat? Clothes to wear? A roof over your head? If the answer to these questions is yes, praise be to God.
There are many for whom one or all three of these is not true. Are there opportunities for you to act?
Paul’s main point here is to be content in both having little and having plenty. Do not be consumed with how little or how much you have. God is aware. This does not mean that you ought not be wise about how you manage your money and resources. Just be thankful for what you do have. And, be smart about what you do not have, be content.
Paul adds to the ending of his letter a point on:
The Purpose in Giving
Philippians 4:15-17
We have already discussed some of this earlier, but I want to bring up one more point in verse 17.
Paul said, “Not that I seek the gift itself, but I seek the profit which increases to your account.”
Paul, to be sure, was thankful, but not more interested about his needs being met. He was more interested in the hearts of those who gave and how they may be blessed for their sacrificial giving.
Let’s look at a lesson from Genesis 4
And again, she gave birth to his brother Abel. Now Abel was a keeper of flocks, but Cain was a cultivator of the ground.
So it came about in the course of time that Cain brought an offering to the Lord from the fruit of the ground.
Abel, on his part also brought an offering, from the firstborn of his flock and from their fat portions. And the Lord had regard for Abel and his offering;
but for Cain and his offering He had no regard. So Cain became very angry and his face was gloomy.
Then the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? And why is your face gloomy?
If you do well, will your face not be cheerful? And if you do not do well, sin is lurking at the door; and its desire is for you, but you must master it.”
Giving is first about your response to God. Are you being obedient? Are you giving of your resources, money, or time? Are you giving in such a way that your heart is full and thankful for what God has done for you?
Now I say this: the one who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the one who sows generously will also reap generously.
Each one must do just 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 overflow to you, so that, always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed;
This exhortation by Paul is meant to encourage people to do well in their work. I think there is a clue here to the attitude of Cain. Perhaps he was not as laborious as he ought to have been, and therefore his countenance was down. He most likely did not give what was on his heart either.
I think this is often true. We know, from experience, that we are most full when we live upright and in integrity, when we know we are (if I can use the word picture from this passage) sowing well. When we sow well, our hearts are, hopefully, more thankful to give.
So, know that giving, is:
FIRST YOU
First about You and our heart toward God. The first thing you have to realize is that God does not need anything you have. Back to Philippians 4:17. Paul noted he was more interested in their “accounts” with God.
Secondly, giving is about...
OTHERS
Are you using what you have, to bless others? Not all giving is about the church? I am so thankful for the gifts you offer to the church; by monetary means, service, time, etc. But, like Paul I am more concerned about your hearts in relation to God. Are you giving cheerfully and obediently?
You can give (First four places to start):
...to the church
...to a missionary
...to a Christian Organization
...to a neighbor in need
I word of caution, if your giving is to non-Christian organizations, before the four I mentioned. You need to do work with God. (pause). That giving only strengthens the world. (pause). There are so many missionaries trying to live on tight budgets.
Ask any missionary if they understand this passage on knowing what it is like to have little.
How does Paul conclude this section?
Philippians 4:19
God Supplies All Things (Elaborate)
