Kingdom-Minded Generosity

Good morning, everyone! Whether you're here with us in the room or joining online—listening live or later—I am truly glad you're here. Leaf River Baptist church exist to Know Christ, Grow in faith, and to Go make Him known.

Hey, if you’ve got kids with you this morning—now’s a great time for them to head to class. We’ve got an amazing team ready to welcome them and help them know Jesus in a way that makes sense to them.

For everyone else we will be finishing up Philippians 4 today, so go ahead and turn over there and get ready to be challanged as we go a layer deeper into our understanding of Philippians today.

Now, I want everyone to remember where we’ve been so far and what Paul has been teaching to the Christians in Philippi…so here we go.

Throughout this letter to the church in Philippi Paul is been increasingly telling them that they should all have the same mind. Remember, we’ve talked alot of unity as a church family.

I’ve said that unity is not uniformity, or sameness…but that unity is having the same mind…and that mind is the mind of Jesus Christ who willingly sacrificed his life so that you and I can have a life with him.

And understanding the culture of Philippi helps us see why Paul keeps emphasizing this kind of Christ-centered unity.

Now, remember, Philippi was primarily a Roman soldier outpost in the middle of Macedonia, that’s in Greece. Ok, so this was a colony…and outpost…and embassy that was fiercely loyal to Caesar becuase these men and women were patriotic and proud of their heritage. Remember, Rome was the largest and arguably the most powerful empire of it’s time. So these are people who are self-sufficient. These are people with a high degree of personal honor…and these are people who would have been financial well off.

Of course being financial well off, they were a culture that was very generous. However, their generosity was very transactional. They would give so that they would gain influence. Much like the culture that we currently live in to be honest. Today we will live a culture where those that are increasingly well off will create charities so that they can say they are generous while actively benefitting themselves.

Before we go much deeper, I’ve been seeing a lot of ads lately for a company called “Rocket Money.” Their whole premise is that most people are paying for subscriptions they don’t even remember signing up for. And honestly, that’s probably true. We live in a subscription culture. Entertainment, shopping, food delivery, cloud storage—we subscribe to everything.

Well…sometimes Christians can actually treat the church the same way. “I give a little money, and the church provides me spiritual services.” Well today we are going to see that Paul completely destroys that mindset as he closes out his letter to the Philippians.

Paul points out that the Philippians were not customers of ministry. They were co-laborers in the mission of Christ. They proved that by continuing to support a jailed preacher who could actually hurt their social standing in the Roman world. This type of generosity only makes sense if Christ is truly your treasure…which is exactly what we see with the church in Philippi.

Just like Paul taught the Philippians, Christianity is not a subscription service…it is participation in the kingdom of God.

So not Paul is going to pull back the curtain and show us what Gospel-centered generosity actually looks like.

Philippians 4:10–13 ESV

10 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. 11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned, in whatever situation I am, to be content. 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

This passage is one of the most common passages that is used out of context. See, mast people look at Phil 4:13 and they decide that this is what tells them that they can when a game…or they can have the strength to get that promotion…or they can just need to be content with what they have…they miss the reality of what’s going on here. Honestly, when we don’t think about what Paul is saying, we cheapen his ministry down to a slogan.

Right here…Paul is teaching about

Contentment in Christ

This is truly huge folks…and I really want you to understand what is going on here.

What Paul discovered is that true contentment is not rooted in circumstances, possessions, or comfort—it is rooted in Christ Himself. Paul’s joy was not dependent on whether he had abundance or hunger, freedom or chains. Through suffering and dependence on Christ, Paul learned that union with Christ is enough.

Just for a moment, let’s remember that…

Paul’s Circumstances Were Severe

Remember where Paul is as he is writing this letter. Paul is on house arrest waiting to find out if he will be executed. By the way…Roman execution was not exactly something to look forward to. While he won’t be crucified, that is reserved for non-citizens…this will not be a pleasant death.

Let me paint you a picture of Paul’s living conditions here.

Paul is under house arrest in Rome. This enabled him to have contact with visitors while remaining under constant guard. Paul is not wearing an ankle monitor like we think of house arrest. Paul would be under constant guard with his wrist chained to a guard. A guard who changed shifts every four hours, meaning that in 24 hours Paul has 6 different soldiers as guard.

That’s not all…Paul had to fund this house arrest, including paying the salary of these guards. He is likely on the 3rd floor apartment because of the premium prices of the 2nd floors, and the shops on the ground level.

Paul was unsure about what was going to happen…being on house arrest did not afford him high quality food, but he was relying on the generosity of those who financially sent gifts so that he could eat and pay his rent. In the ancient world, if you did not have supporters…you were cold and you starved.

The gifts the Philippian church gave was not for luxury…it was for survival.

Yet Paul wrote that he learned something very important. What Paul learned is that…

Contentment Is Learned

This word learned is pretty important. You see, Paul did not read something in a book that taught him, he didn’t attend a lecture. No, Paul is writing about active experiential learning.

Paul was not naturally content in these matters…this contentment is something that was learned, or shaped through suffering…through hardship…through disappointment…through hunger…through persecution. Really — this contentment was learned through dependance on Christ.

Spiritual contentment is not something that comes naturally or easily to the spiritually mature. God teaches us in the valleys more than in the victories…and Paul was in a deep valley as he is writing these words to his fellow Christians.

Yet the words that Paul writes is

I can do all things…

I said earlier that this passage is frequently used out of context. Let’s just be clear for a moment.

This verse is not about: athletic success…personal dreams…or limitless achievement.

Paul is writing that he can actual endure every circumstance through Christ who gives him strength.

Paul is teaching us that you can actualy learn to be content in anything and everything when we rely on Christ, instead of ourselves.

Christ gives strength to believers to endure suffering…to remain faithful…and even to maintain joyful when their earthly comforts disappear.

That is what Paul means when he sys he can do all things. Whether he is on top, bottom, or anywhere in between he has learned to rely on Christ and not on himself…something we would all do well to remember.

Paul is in need here on house arrest…yet his joy and contentment is not tied to what he does, or does not have. There is something else that I think is really cool. Paul is deeply grateful for the support of the church in Philippi. We don’t know what they gave, as far as dollar amounts. What we do know is that Paul saw this as more than a simple financial gift…Paul saw the church in Philippi as a partner in the gospel.

Something I shared last week is that I recieved a text from Cody Burriff who was our missionary of the month last month. Cody thanked us all for the card as it meant the world to them. He also said that they realized that LRBC has been supporting their family for 20 years…and that long term partnership is incredibly encouraging to them. That is what Paul is sharing with the Philippians.

As Christians we are called to be generous. However, as a church…as individuals, we will not become generous until we become content in Christ. Discontentment clings tightly to money. Contentment opens the hand of generosity.

But Paul isn’t minimizing their gift. In fact, he shows them that their generosity is far greater than financial assistance.

Philippians 4:14–18 ESV

14 Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble. 15 And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. 16 Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again. 17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit. 18 I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God.

Look at how Paul is describing their partnership. Paul tied their gift back to the Old Testament practice of worship. In other words Paul wants them to view their…

Partnership as Worship

Everything we do on Sunday mornings is framed as worship. Everything we do is simply a different act of worship…that is what Paul is teaching here.

Paul takes them from being content, to being partners. Paul acknowledged the fact that the Philippians are unique among the other churches. Other churches withdrew their support of Paul’s journey’s…or maybe never even started. Yet the Philippians stayed faithful.

So what made their generosity and partnership turn into an act of worship? This becomes an act of worship when it flows from shared Gospel priorities…when it comes from the same shared mind and heart.

The church in Philippi stepped into life with Paul…

They shared his trouble

This is deeply personal language in vs 14. The church in Philippi did not distance themselves from the suffering that Paul was enduring…they moved toward it. They sent messengers…they sent a mission trip to go and support Paul in his suffering.

When Paul says they shared in his trouble, he is saying that they literally participated in his trouble.

We live in a culture that loves a good success story. People love to see when someone suffers a little for their dreams and then get to see all their sacrifices pay off.

Few people hang around when there is only suffering.

The Christians in Philippi shared in Pauls suffering. That means they identified with a suffering apostle, a controversial gospel, and a persecuted church.

That — is Christian fellowship! And that is what blessed Paul. Paul is acknowledging that…

Gospel Partnership is financial & spiritual

Paul is commending out that this shared mindset that the Philippians have in their financial generosity. But he doesn’t leave it as a financial gift…

Paul transforms this financial gift into a spiritual credit.

I love how Paul says here that he does not seek the gift…but that he desires that their fruit would increase.

Listen, I’ve done financial counseling with lots of people over the years, and there is always a very important piece that secular counselors always leave off. That’s a faithful generosity toward the work of God through the local church in other words…your tithe.

The reason is because something spiritual happens when believers steward their resources in worship and obedience. God uses generosity to shape our hearts, loosen our grip on worldly things, and deepen our trust in Him.

In Matthew 6 Jesus tells those listening that they should store up for themselves treasures in Heaven…not on Earth. The Philippians were investing in eternal fruit as they gave to Paul.

That’s when their money…their finances became worship — because their hearts belonged to Christ...not to their wallets.

Listen folks…this is so important that I really want everyone to understand this concept that the Philippians understood. When you are giving to your church through the tithe, you are joining in with the spiritual worship and you are joining in with one mind as we seek to glorify God with every step we take and every dollar we spend.

And Paul goes even further though, and he says that…

Giving is sacrificial worship

The terminology in vs 18 is very important. Paul is taking them back to the Old Testament to the temple where they would burn the incense that God directed them to burn.

In Leviticus we repeatedly read the imagry of acceptable sacrifices being a pleasing aroma to God.

What Paul is saying…and what we should be paying attention to is that their financial support blessed God in the same way as temple worship.

The same is true when you give sacrificially to the church through your regular tithes, as well as the special gifts like the pavilion. Sacrificial generosity is an act of worship when done in faith.

Of course, now, Paul close with one of the most quoted promises in all of Scripture — but one that is frequently ripped from it’s context.

Philippians 4:19–23 ESV

19 And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 20 To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen. 21 Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brothers 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.

Right here Paul is pointing out

Provision & Praise

Paul is giving assurance to this generous church in Philippi.

They have given sacrificially…perhaps even beyond their natural ability and comfort…and Paul reminds them that God will take care of them.

The reality is that God faithfully sustains His people as they seek first His kingdom. That does not mean Christians will never struggle financially, suffer, or go without comfort. Paul himself certainly did. But it does mean God will never fail to provide what His people truly need as they walk faithfully with Him.

Paul shows them that the…

Promise is connected to partnership

Paul points out that his God will supply for those in Philippi.

This is why context matters…

A prosperity teacher will say this is proof that God will give you the desires you have…you will have a guaranteed wealth full of worldly abundance…

But that is not what Paul said is it?

Paul is specifically speaking to those who have partnered with him in ministry.

The promise that Paul is making on behalf of God here is that: “God will sustain his people as they walk faithfully with him.”

Paul also tells us how this promise is fulfilled…God supplies needs according to his riches…This is a picture of God’s providential care.

As Christians we should be encouraged to trust in God’s provision as we give generously to his work right here in Leaf River. We give generously not becuase we have extra…but we have faith in God’s abundance when we worship through our generosity.

Then…this is really cool and I really love what Paul shows us next.

The goal is God’s glory

not our own…

I want you to consider what the church in Philippi is giving towards. They are giving to Paul as a way to fund the mission of the gospel being spread as far as possible. Well immediatly after Paul reminds them that all of this that is happening is all for God’s glory…he shares with them what is happening.

Folks, remember that God has told Paul that he would bear witness in Rome just like he did in Jerusalem. Paul is under house arrest where he is physically chained to a different guard every 4 hours. Conservatively he is exposed to 6 guards a day…these guards are the same guards who have access to the home of Caesar.

As Paul is saying his final “goodbyes” he says that the Christians there say “hi”…and especially those of the house of Caesar!

Folks…Paul has brought the gospel to Rome and there are some within the house of Caesar who have accept the free gift of the gospel. There are some in Caesar who are openly worshiping Christ at this moment. That means, what Paul has set out to do…what the Philippians are funding…is actually happening!

closing

So what does this mean for us as a church here in Leaf River?

Throughout this series, we have seen what it means to be unified—not around personalities, preferences, or politics—but around Christ.

We are one church, proclaiming one Gospel, pursuing one Kingdom mission together.

And when a church truly treasures Christ together, generosity stops feeling like obligation. It becomes worship.

That is what made the Philippians remarkable. They understood something many churches today forget: the church is not a spiritual subscription service.

They were not consumers of ministry. They were participants in the mission of God.

They believed Christ and His Gospel were worth sacrificing for, suffering for, and investing in together.

Because this is the Gospel: we were spiritually bankrupt before God, deserving judgment, unable to save ourselves.

Yet Jesus willingly gave Himself for us.

He left heavenly glory, took on flesh, bore our sin, and endured the cross so that we could be forgiven and reconciled to God.

And when Christ becomes your treasure, money stops being your master.

This week, I want to challenge you to honestly evaluate three things: your heart, your priorities, and your generosity.

Ask yourself these Three Questions:

Am I truly treasuring Christ above comfort?

Am I investing more in temporary or eternal things?

Am I actively participating in the mission of God through His church in Leaf River?

And maybe for some of us today, the next step is repentance.

Maybe we’ve treated church more like consumers than co-laborers.

Maybe we’ve clung too tightly to comfort, money, or personal preference.

Maybe we’ve stopped living with an eternal perspective.

Maybe God is calling some of us to serve, to give more faithfully, or to fully recommit ourselves to Christ and His church.

But church—Christ is worthy of more than casual commitment…becuase the church is not a subscription service.

pause

No matter where you are today…let me just tell you that it’s time to make a change and commit to whatever it is that God is calling you to. Then your next step is to reach out to me and let me know about this commitment you’ve made so that I can pray with you and help you take those next steps.

Now…Imagine what God could do through a people fully united around the Gospel— a people who love deeply, serve joyfully, give worshipfully, and hold tightly to Christ instead of the things of this world.

This is who God is making LRBC to be.

Let’s pray