Can I really afford to give generously to others?

Introduction

Paul is slowly coming to an end to his letter to the Philippians. With our passage today Paul is closing up his personal letter to one of his first churches he has established. His letter of joy comes to a conclusion.

With what message does Paul end his letter though? It is a message that describes the result and fruit of the joy we have in Christ: Give generously.

Yes, the joy we have in Christ is not only to be enjoyed by ourselves. We are not seeking or pursuing the comfort and joy sitting in our lovely build churches for God is not raising up couch potatoes that sit in our lovely homes in the suburbs of the cities in the United States but He is raising up an army that is willing to work and fight for His kingdom. Why? Why would anyone do that? Because of the joy we have in Him.

The question for our message is that “Can I really afford to give generously to others?” The answer is yes, we can. Not only can we afford, we must give for we have already more than enough in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Fellowship

Before, we talk about giving as Christians, I think we must make clear about what we mean when we talk about giving generously to others.

Without taking anything away for giving big tithing and offering, which can be a way to worship God, the reason why I want to address this is that the passage talks about it and we, especially in the Korean-American churches in the 21st century, have a very wrong view about our understanding of giving and especially “sharing in someones troubles?”

When we think about sharing in someones trouble, what do we usually think of? Maybe sending a text, maybe visiting, maybe helping someone financially. The older you get, the last option is mostly used, because many of us are busy ourselves with our own problems. Also, it seems that it is also the best method to help someone. That might be true in many cases. Financial help is important and it was important to Paul as well as he was in need many times as we know as of now. However, that is not the help and giving that Paul is talking about here.

When Paul describes the help of the Philippians provided to Paul, he is using the Greek word συγκοινωνέω which basically means “share”. But the root here comes from the word κοινωνία which means “fellowship”. What Paul was rejoicing in and was glad about was not that they were just sending materialistic help but he rejoiced that they pursued their fellowship with him!

That is why he says in verse 10 this:

Philippians 4:10 ESV

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.

He rejoiced simply in the fact that the church of Philippi was concerned about him showing him that the love for him was there. This goes along with his message of love and what it means to be a true Christian.

Romans 12:9–21 ESV

Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Romans 12:

I love when he says rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep. This is the brotherly love that we need and must pursue. Look how the Psalmist describes such a relationship:

Psalm 133:1–3 ESV

Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity! It is like the precious oil on the head, running down on the beard, on the beard of Aaron, running down on the collar of his robes! It is like the dew of Hermon, which falls on the mountains of Zion! For there the Lord has commanded the blessing, life forevermore.

Psalm 133:1 ESV

Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!

Of course, this passage is worthy of a separate sermon itself but basically, what this is saying is that nothing can be better when brothers dwell in unity - in fellowship - in koinonia - rejoicing and weeping together, giving to each other for each others needs. This is the giving that Paul is talking about - a materialistic, emotional, and spiritual endeavor.

Our goal in life is to “Give”

But why are we to give? Is it wrong to be less outgoing and to keep everything to myself? Do we really need to give? Can we really be giving? Yes! We can and we must. There are two reasons for this and for now we are going to talk about the first reason: it is the command of God!

Deuteronomy 6:5–8 ESV

You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes.

Luke 10:27 ESV

And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.”

Deuteronomy 6:5 ESV

You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.

It is not a choice or an option we have in giving, it is the call that we have as Christians. The problem today is that we are all coming to church to receive rather than giving. Especially when college students look for a church, they are all looking for a place in which they can receive - they want to have fun, friends, events, etc. It is funny when people are saying that they cannot find a good church, when their requirements are based on the merits they are receiving.

Look at Paul when he said this:

Philippians 4:17 ESV

Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit.

This is something that could be misunderstood. What Paul means with this is not that Paul is not in need for the gifts that the Philippians are sending to him. He is indeed grateful for those as he says in verse 18. But he says this meaning that beyond just receiving these things, he rejoices in the fact that through those things, he can give them credit for their works. He seeks the fruit that increase to your credit.

He is not only saying thanks for your gifts but he also wants to give back to them as well.

What can we learn is the fact that this is the system that we must have as Christians in relationship to others and to the church - what can we give? For that is our goal.

2 Corinthians 9:6–15 ESV

The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give 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 abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. As it is written, “He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.” He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God. By their approval of this service, they will glorify God because of your submission that comes from your confession of the gospel of Christ, and the generosity of your contribution for them and for all others, while they long for you and pray for you, because of the surpassing grace of God upon you. Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!

We are called to be farmers to reap what we sow and to give to the seed as much as we can do so that the seed as it grows will give fruit, finishing the circle of giving. It is the giving the call that we have in which God is rejoicing.

Imagine if this is happening in our churches, focusing on how we can give rather than receiving and even as we receive, we think first how we can give back. Everybody receives and nobody lacks and nobody is bitter for he did not receive for in giving he already received. We must change our mindset and goal as Christians to think that God must provide me with all things, the church is here to give to me the services that I needs, instead think of how you can give. Just look at your parents and you can see how this works. I am always impressed by the love of your mothers and fathers who so willingly and give, not only their money and support, but prayer, their time, their attention. This is the example that we must follow and imitate in our group that as the older have received they give down to the younger the love they have experienced - I hope this is the way you will build up this church - instead of thinking of your merit or benefit - just give, give all that you have.

That leads us to the third point an second point to this answer to how we can really afford to do so:

The source of our gifts

Look at the source of your gifts that you have received and are giving away. Why is Paul telling us to give and how was it possible for Paul, the Philippians or anyone particular during Paul’s time to give when as we know all of them were facing trials and hardships, financially, emotionally, physically, etc. Because they stopped looking on what they have, or what they are receiving, but instead in faith have switched their perspective to what they already have gotten in Christ Jesus.

It was the same for me - instead of looking what I lacked, I looked at what I have - family, friends, church but most importantly, even if those other things are missing, I know I have one things that no one can take away from me - that is Jesus Christ my Lord, who loves me no matter what I do and have already proven it on the cross.

This is also the point that Paul is making in this letter:

Philippians 3:8–10 ESV

Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,

In Christ Jesus, he knows that he has everything that he could ever want or need and knowing that Christ Jesus has died for him, was raised for him, and also is in union with him, Paul knew he is lacking nothing. He tells them also to hold on to that faith as the Philippians believed in the same truth reminding them in verse 10 - God will supply every need of yours. What a wonderful promise it is and this promise is also our to have. In Christ you have everything but as you keep on giving God will keep on giving to you as well!

This is also how it is logical that this is working. I know that if you think you have nothing it is hard to give. Asking you to give if you think you have nothing is not the right message to give. I know that some of us are sufferings, we all do. Some of you suffer from loneliness, maybe even depression, maybe some of you may have even suicidal thoughts. I know that high schoolers go through that. I went through it as well as I was in middle and high school. For a while my dream was to die young for I had enough of this world.

But it was only when I truly saw and even now, being a pastor I am seeing it again, that Christ gave me everything I need, I could do the things that I am doing

I mean look at Paul. The normal procedure to take would be to thank them and to ask for more, for he is in prison suffering and being cold and weak. Yet, he says, “I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent,...” He says he is content in his suffering because he is in Christ Jesus devoting all things to him - according to the riches in glory in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory forever and ever.”

Paul had joy. His source gave him joy. That even though he may be lacking in the secular perspective, he had everything and more.

What about you? Do you feel lacking? Do you feel you need more? Maybe you really do. But ask yourselves, where are you going to be filled. Only in Christ can you be really filled - nothing else in this world can satisfy you and we know it - and in His joy and support, I tell you, you can really afford to give.

Conclusion

Concluding, the question remains, where are you going to you to be filled? For your joy?

This answer will determine if you can afford to give or not. Is it God or is it your friends, family, maybe even drug abuse, sex, money, success, fame, etc.

1 John 2:17 ESV

And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.

Be filled in God, in His providence and joy and go out to give to others what you have received in God.