Have and Have Not
Notes
Transcript
Have and Have Not
Have and Have Not
We are getting close to the end of Philippians
I rejoice in the Lord greatly that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned for me but had no opportunity to show it. Not that I am referring to being in need, for I have learned to be content with whatever I have. I know what it is to have little, and I know what it is to have plenty. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being well-fed and of going hungry, of having plenty and of being in need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. In any case, it was kind of you to share my distress.
Think and Do was last weeks message:
Think about these eight things
Do these three things you see me doing
Again, we have this popular and well known verse that is a pre-scripture
And we will take a look at that
I rejoice in the Lord greatly that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned for me but had no opportunity to show it. Not that I am referring to being in need, for I have learned to be content with whatever I have. I know what it is to have little, and I know what it is to have plenty. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being well-fed and of going hungry, of having plenty and of being in need.
Paul tells us three things in this ‘thank you’ in which he does not actually say thank you.
I rejoice in the LORD greatly…
It sounds like Paul had this amazing moment in Philippi
But there has been a struggle
Paul has not been able to get there to help
And now, as Paul’s ministry is closer to the end that beginning, they show up
At just the right time!
Now that you revived your concern for me, indeed you were concerned
They pulled together an offering for him
Likely they heard he is under arrest and imprisoned
This triggers the memory of Paul in Philippi
But you were unable to show it
We are not told why they were unable to show it
Perhaps the division developing in the church
Maybe logistical
I have learned to be content…
Paul, through experience, had much and little
From the ranks of Pharisee’s to the towns of Gentiles
Quite a journey
I have learned the secret of…
Well fed and hungry
Having plenty and being in need
The last word Paul chooses, is…unfortunate
The moment you use the term ‘secret’ or ‘mystery’ you open up a pandoras box that allows people to build a message that is abusive.
And the verse that follows does not help…
I know what it is to have little, and I know what it is to have plenty. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being well-fed and of going hungry, of having plenty and of being in need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
That translation is unfortunate.
It is a bit like Genesis 1:1
We are not allowed to change it because it is so well known!
Let’s take a look at what it really means:
I have strength for all things in him who gives me the power.
Versus…
I can do all things through him who strengthens me
When you see the difference side by side, you understand how this verse can be abused
Paul is not saying he is some kind of superhero
Why would we assume that Paul, right in thie middle of this section, is going to shift from talking about being with and without (food/funds) he moves to ALL?
Not to mention, this verse is taught only one way…
Think about when this verse get applied
I can do all things through him who strengthens me…
Hunger, poverty, physical and mental health problems, relationship problems, traumatic situations, facing death, facing any kind of problem, etc.
It is during these moments we pull this verse out
But we violate Paul’s letter when we do this
I can do all things through him who strengthens me…
With little, with much, full, hungry, abundance and need
Do you see how our American mind tweaks the text?
Why do you need him who strengthens you when you have:
Much
You are full
You have abundance
How many of you would say Elon Musk cannot have any real problems because he has enough money to solve any problem?
What about you?
You may be living paycheck to paycheck
But there is one without a paycheck who thinks of you like an Elon
(I experienced this personally, first home in Arizona)
I can do all things through him who strengthens me…
When wealthy, well fed, healthy, housed, mentally well, relationships healthy, no realy problems
Paul is making the statement because he knows that the power of the gospel is not reliant on circumstances:
Remember how all this began for Paul
In a prison cell that is miracled open
Freeing a demon possessed girl
Hospitality of others in town
Baptisms
In any case, it was kind of you to share my distress.
Have and Have Not
Have and Have Not
