Christian Giving
Philippians • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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WELCOME:
We are glad you are here today!
As you can see, our parking lot was sealed this week and looks great!
SCRIPTURE READING:
Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth. Serve the Lord with gladness; Come before Him with joyful singing. Know that the Lord Himself is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. Enter His gates with thanksgiving And His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him, bless His name.
LET US STAND AND WORSHIP!
“The Goodness of God”
Words and Music by Hillsong’
PRAYER OF PRAISE FOR WHO GOD IS
Lord, thank you for your constancy. For never turning Your back on us, for never getting frustrated with us, for forgiving our sins, for allowing us to be part of Your plan. We ask that You would look down upon this gathering of people and fill our hearts with great joy today as we focus on You. Amen!
“What a beautiful Name”
Words and Music by Hillsong
“What a beautiful Name”
Words and Music by Hillsong
PRAYER OF ILLUMINATION TO OPEN OUR HEARTS
Lord, give us ears to hear Your voice and eyes to see Your glory. Would you this morning illuminate Your Word and make it known to us? Help us no to make application to others peoples’ lives, but to apply every Word to our own lives. Amen
SERMON
INTRODUCTION:
We are going to finish up the letter to the Philippians today. I hope it has been as good for you as it has been for me.
This final section in the letter is on the subject of giving. One of the reasons Paul wrote the letter to the Philippians was to show gratitude for the financial support they had sent him, while he was in prison. That is what he covers in this final section.
But Paul does more than to simply say thank you for the gift. He explains to them what that gift means to him, what it means to God, and what it does for them theologically.
So we are going to inspect this passage thoroughly today and pull out some principles we can apply to our lives about Giving.
A sermon about money can have the tendency to cause some squirming in the pews. But talking about money shouldn't make us uncomfortable because it is a part of our everyday life.
There is the common cultural understanding that it is rude to ask people how much they make. Or how much they have saved. But money is really just money, and I think the reason we are that way is because we often like it a little too much.
Nevertheless, you have done well to share with me in my affliction. 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; for even in Thessalonica you sent a gift more than once for my needs.
Paul takes these final verses to commend the Philippians for their support of him
Paul was a missionary. He was sent out to plant churches, preach the gospel, and build up the churches with sound teaching.
Philippians was a recipient of Paul’s work. He planted the church in Philippi, and ministered to them over the years.
So as a way of partnering with Paul, they sent him financial gifts to help support him, and thereby support furthering the gospel.
And where did they get this money?
From the members of that church.
Here is the point I want to make:
Ministry needs are met by God’s people
Ministry needs are met by God’s people
Even 2,000 years ago, for Paul to travel and preach the gospel, financial support was needed.
Why would Paul need money to preach the gospel?
Traveling expenses
Personal needs
Food
Clothing
lodging
Etc
⇒ It takes money to carry out the work of the gospel
But it wasn’t just Paul who needed money, Jesus also needed money during His ministry
Now he said this, not because he was concerned about the poor, but because he was a thief, and as he had the money box, he used to pilfer what was put into it.
What was this money box Judas had? It was the money bag that Jesus and His followers contributed to, to meet their common needs.
For the same reason Paul needed money. They had travel expenses, food expenses, personal needs, ect. as they went around sharing the gospel.
⇒ It takes money to carry out the work of the gospel, and God’s people supplied that money
But it’s not just the past 2,000 years that this has been true, but ever since Moses erected the tabernacle God has called His followers to fund His work
Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Tell the sons of Israel to raise a contribution for Me; from every man whose heart moves him you shall raise My contribution.
Why did they need money in the OT?
To fund the building of the tabernacle, to meet the needs of Levites who were assigned there to serve there, who ministered to the needs of the people
⇒ It takes money to do the Lord’s work. And the money came from God’s people
The same is true for the church today
For a church to function and operate, there is a financial need. People must give to the church for a church to be able to do what the church is called to do.
Even when this church plant began in my woodshop there were expenses. We needed chairs, we needed speakers, we needed gospel tracts, we had legal fees to start a church…on and on
Then take this church for example:
If no one gives: who then will pay the light bill?
Who will pay the water bill
Who will fund the maintenance on the building
Who will pay the insurance?
How will we purchase supplies?
How will we support foreign missions?
How will we support other churches
How will we help families in need
Churches are able to function and carry out the work of the gospel because the people of God give faithfully to support that work.
Why is it uncomfortable to talk about money in church?
1) I think some people believe this is what a church is there for, to take our money. People see churches like a business, and a pastor like the CEO of that business. And all the church is really looking for is club members to donate to it regularly so the assets can increase and the CEO can get rich!
Money is important, but that is not the goal of a church and I cannot see God ever working in a church if that be the goal. Money is a tool used to reach the goal of making disciples.
2) Money is a common idol in the heart of man. People love their money, and many love it more than they love God. And as is with any idol, when the thought of giving it up comes to mind it makes us angry.
But if money is our idol, the best thing that we could do in our lives is give it all away. For it would be better to die poor and go to heaven then die with our money and go to hell for eternity.
What is the NT principle on giving?
Well, most of us are familiar with tithing. The word tithe just means 10%. But we never see the command to tithe in the NT. It is part of the OT law, and we are under grace! Therefore many say there is no command to give in the NT, so they keep their money for themselves and let the generous fund ministry.
But let me say this, the standard under grace does not go down, it goes up!
The OT says: do not murder, grace says do not even be angry with your brother or it is equal to murder
The OT says: do not commit adultery, grace says do not even lust with her in your heart or you commit adultery
The OT says, you can divorce with a certificate, but the NT says anyone who divorces, makes her commit adultery and anyone who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.
We are not under Law as far as percentages, but we do have a higher level of responsibility under the grace of God
We are responsible for determining what we should by being good stewards of what we have been given. The more we have been given, the more the responsibility we have.
And the examples in the NT of giving demonstrate this principle:
The poor widow in Mark 12 gave all she had
The early church did not give 10% but houses and land
The churches in Macedonia gave “beyond their ability”
What should we give then?
It depends upon what you have, but I think a tithe is a great place to start. A tithe just means a tenth. A tenth of what you make. And as you feel led you can go above and beyond a tenth.
Why do I say that? Because that was prescribed in the OT, and it seems like the best place to start.
The greater profit in giving is to the giver not the recipient
The greater profit in giving is to the giver not the recipient
Not that I seek the gift itself, but I seek for the profit which increases to your account.
Explanation:
“Not that I seek the gift itself”
Lets not misunderstand Paul, he is not being rude. He is thankful and will go on to express this thanks in a moment.
But what he wants the Philippians to know is that the benefit of giving is not just for him….in other words there is more to profit from giving than just helping the person in need.
“but I seek for the profit which increases to your account”
In other words, Paul is just as excited about what the Philippians will receive from their giving, as what he has received from their giving.
Notice the word “profit” here. In the Greek the word is καρπός which is often translated “fruit” in the Bible. So we we could say: Paul is looking forward to the fruit which will come from their giving
What is fruit?
Fruit is the product of the Christian life.
Look at this verse we used last week which speaks about fruit:
“Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit (καρπός) , He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit (καρπός), He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit (καρπός).
Fruit is what you see on the outside, that tells you what is on the inside.
An apple tree looks like any other tree until is produces apples. Then you know it is an apple tree
“A tree is known by its fruit”
God’s desire for us is to produce fruit!
In fact, fruit is essential for Christianity! Without fruit we wither and die.
It should be our goal to be fruitful believers!
But this also says, “the profit which “increases” to your account.”
Notice that all these are accounting terms. Profit, account, increase which means added.
What Paul is saying is that the Philippians giving is an investment into their spiritual growth and sanctification.
In the same way that one puts money in the bank, to receive interest back from that investment. When one puts $1,000 into a CD, there is a return of 5% growth.
When one invests into the kingdom of God financially, there will be a Spiritual return on their investment
It is like putting money into your Spiritual 401K, but instead of a risk of losing it, it is a guarantee of growth in your account!
Let me clarify something: I am not saying that if we put money in the offering plate, it is going to make us a Christian. Nor am I saying that you will become mature by giving alone.
But what this is teaching: when you give faithfully, you grow spiritually. Thats the principle Paul is sharing here
This is why Jesus said: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” (Acts 20:35)
Those who give are not ONLY helping people in need, but they are ALSO cultivating fruit in their own lives. They are sowing in to themselves! They will reap benefits that money cannot buy, that pay dividends for eternity!
How does giving produce fruit in our lives?
Because is the one of the most essential things we have in this life. With money you can buy anything you need to live, and without it, you will have a very difficult if not nearly impossible life.
People will kill over money
People go to great lengths, spend entire lifetimes, will even sell their soul to the devil over money.
This is why the love of money is the root of all evil
This is why money is so often an idol in the hearts of mankind.
When we are willing to give up some of our money, it requires faith because we then must trust God to meet our needs.
Fruit comes from faith. You cannot have faith without depending upon the Lord Jesus Christ!
John 15:5 ““I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.”
AND One of the easiest ways for anyone to begin trusting Christ is with our money
Everyone has money. My two oldest children give faithfully to the Lord. And neither of them makes very much, but they always set aside a portion for God.
The initial coming to Christ of a person, is often unsure how to walk with God.
The opportunity to give is often the first and easiest way to begin trusting the Lord with their lives.
It is often the first and most general way for anyone to learn how to fully trust Christ!
Personal testimony of giving
When I began following Jesus, 15 years ago, I knew very little about what it meant to trust in the Lord. But from the very beginning, I was moved to give to the church faithfully. And I did, and I have to this day.
I have a check register of my finances that I found from those early day working at Koppers. And there were some days that I had less than $10 to get me through the week, but there was a check written out to the church for 10% of what I made.
And week after week, God constantly took care of me, especially in those humble times, and taught me that if I will keep Him first, He will take care of all the rest.
And I do believe that much of the sanctification in my early years was a result of me faithfully giving.
If you do not give faithfully and worshipfully from your increase, you are missing out and much of what God will do in your life.
And I hear people say, I cannot give because I cannot afford it.
Heres the solution: Take off the Lord’s portion first, then use the rest for yourself.
If you have put yourself in a place where you cannot do that, get rid of the things that are not a necessity
Most people take out the Lord’s portion last and then say there is not enough left to give. thats backwards. Put the Lord first, and look heres the promise from God
Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.
Giving sacrificially pleases God
Giving sacrificially pleases God
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.
In the OT, the priests would offer up sacrifices on the alter to God. They would take an animal like a ram or a bull a cut them into pieces, and then take those pieces and put them on the alter and burn them sending that aroma into the air.
That aroma is said to be pleasing to God.
The point is that: God takes pleasure in the aroma of acceptable sacrifices offered by men
And here Paul wants the Philippians to know that God is also pleased at what the Philippians have done in giving to Paul.
Its as if their sacrificial gift was like burning an animal on the alter, and the aroma from that pleased God!
Notice also that Paul says this was “an acceptable sacrifice”
Does this imply that one can give something unacceptable to God? Absolutely!
This is what we see this in the very first account of giving in the Bible
So it came about in the course of time that Cain brought an offering to the Lord of the fruit of the ground. Abel, on his part also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of their fat portions. And the Lord had regard for Abel and for his offering; but for Cain and for his offering He had no regard. So Cain became very angry and his countenance fell.
Here we have two kinds of offerings:
One from Cain that was simply some fruit from the ground. Thats all it says about it.
The second from Abel which Scripture gives more detail to describe it being the first or best was the first and the best that he had.
God accepted Abel’s but not Cain’s.
It wasn’t about how much, but about its quality
That is what kind of giving? Was it flippant, not thoughtful? Not enough to meet a need? Not requiring any sacrifice from the giver?
Giving that pleases God is not just about giving, but what we give!
To just simply put something in the plate, is not what matters, it’s what we put into the plate.
To donate to missions is not just about the fact that we donated, but did we really meet a need?
To give help to another is not about the fact that we helped, but how well we helped.
This gift was acceptable and pleasing because it met Paul’s need and then some.
He said, “I have an abundance, and am amply supplied”. I wonder what Paul would have said if they would have only sent enough for him to buy two crackers?
Or worse, sent him a pair of socks?
It’s not just about the fact that we give, but that we give what is pleasing to God.
“Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure—pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return.”
Now heres the promise to the givers
God responds to our faithful giving
God responds to our faithful giving
And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
One thing I think we can take away from this is: The Philippians gave out of their need.
They were not a rich church with an abundance of money to meet all of their needs. How do we know that?
Because of this verse right here. They gave out of their need because Paul needed it more. And Paul knows that they they gave what they could have used, which is why he reminds them that God will meet all their needs.
Paul knew that he could never repay them for their generosity, but God would repay it for him
What is the principle here?
Those who give to please God, will be taken care of by God.
Investment in to the Kingdom will guarantee that God will meet all our our needs.
What are our needs?
Context demands that they are at least material needs.
Food, shelter, clothing.
Paul is not talking about luxuries or things in excess. But to those who give to please God will have their immediate needs met.
Here is why giving is for everyone: Because if we give, God promises meet our needs. So no one could ever say i cannot give, because God cannot lie, nor will HE break a promise.
If you will give faithfully, what you will experience is God working in your life to meet all of your needs
Jesus promised the same thing”
“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
CONCLUSION:
CONCLUSION:
Why is Christian giving so important?
Because sacrificial giving is a characteristic of God.
God gave far more than any of us ever could. He gave His one and only Son to us, to die for us, to die for the sins of the world, that we may know God and have eternal life.
John 3:16 ““For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.”
And that eternal life is a is a free gift to anyone who would be willing to give up their life to follow Christ.
Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.
~PRAYER~
