14. Gratitude & Contentment

This morning we will be considering an area some take as uncomfortable, awkward, or even offensive! I however see it as an area of a GLORIOUS OPPORTUNITY to reflect on the very character of our Great God!

The area I speak to is: GIVING… specifically giving of ones finances or resources!

I’m asked sometimes… how often do you speak on giving? When scripture speaks to it!

“When you and I give we reflect such a powerful attribute of His character!”

CONSIDER OUR GOD in the area of giving:

He gives life

He gives needs

He gives joy

He gives hope

He gives peace

He gives salvation

John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, He gave...”

God gives even to the undeserving… Jesus states Matthew 5:44-45

Matthew 5:44–45 NASB95

“But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

Paul continues the tone of REJOICING as he expresses his gratitude, commends them in their giving, and focuses his attention and his readers attention on the Lord… follow as we read Philippians 4:10-19

Philippians 4:10–19 NASB95

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 opportunity. Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, 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 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. Not that I seek the gift itself, but I seek for 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, well-pleasing to God. And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

Thank You!

Genuine gratitude is less prevalent in our society these days… it even plagues the church. There has come into peoples minds and hearts an entitled attitude that is robbing people of gratitude:

When children are young we teach them to say thank you for something recieved (the true value is not realized)

As they grow older we strive to teach children the VALUE of things (tangible or otherwise) so that there is an appreciation… genuine gratitude

Illustrate by taking kids out to eat

Paul here in our passage is genuinely grateful for several things:

For their concern and remembrance of him

For their gift financially to help

For the blessing they are learning and receiving in this process

REMEMBERED...

These people are very dear to Paul… he knows their concern for him

He knows their situation… “they lacked opportunity” vs 10… In 2 Corinthians 8:1-2 we see their plight:

2 Corinthians 8:1–2 NASB95

Now, brethren, we wish to make known to you the grace of God which has been given in the churches of Macedonia, that in a great ordeal of affliction their abundance of joy and their deep poverty overflowed in the wealth of their liberality.

Their concern for him brings… REJOICING!!!

Sent a message and a messenger

Sent help financially, a gift of love VALUED!!!

Paul out of his genuine appreciating expresses a truth concerning wealth and wants, and it’s wrapped up in a WORD… CONTENTMENT!!!

Verse 11… Paul is not speaking out of want, but of understanding VALUE and being in a place of contentment!

Whether very little or great abundance

Good circumstances or difficult circumstances

Rich or poor / great abundance or even suffering NEED

Going hungry or even being filled

Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary defines CONTENT verb:

1: to appease the desires of

2: to limit (oneself) in requirements, desires, or actions

Scripture speaks to our contentment especially in the area of money or wealth:

In Hebrews 13:5 the writer states:

Hebrews 13:5 NASB95

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,”

Paul writes in 1 Timothy 6:6-8 the following:

1 Timothy 6:6–8 NASB95

But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment. For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either. If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content.

God enables our contentment verse 13! Probably taken out of context more than most verses!

Philippians, Colossians, Philemon (4:10–13)

The “all things” refers to surviving the extremes of life. To paraphrase: “Whatever ups and downs life sends my way, I can handle whatever comes, not through my own strength, but by the power of Christ.” Nothing else suffices but Christ. He alone gives the strength we need to endure. Not education, not money, not political clout, not positive thinking, not self-assertiveness.

In other words… it is God who enables us to live content… regardless of our circumstances

WHY… HOW??? simply this a heart of gratitude, genuine, understanding the GREAT VALUE of what He has so richly blessed us with, what He has given!

AND… He gave His Son not only as our salvation (that would be enough!!!) but also as an example as Paul states in chapter 3!

Knowing their situation, receiving their gift, Paul commends these dear people!

Well Done!

Paul takes time to praise these dear people in verses 15-17! We see body living lived out well as they engage in body living and Giving!

Body Living… They put action to their concern....

Beginning as soon as Paul went to Thessalonica

The ONLY church!

Sharing in affliction, mission, and contribution!

Body Giving!

Saw the need and gave!

Let’s send people (Epaphroditus)

Let’s send encouragement

Let’s send finances / support

AND THERE WAS BLESSING!

It blessed the one receiving (acknowledges full payment “thank you”)

It blessed the ones giving

Eternal rewards… God sees and is aware

Proverbs 19:17 (NASB95)

One who is gracious to a poor man lends to the Lord, And He will repay him for his good deed.

There is VALUE when we invest in the work God is doing!

When we engage in body living and body giving… we don’t seek the praise or even the blessing rather, knowing the VALUE of eternal things we rejoice and praise God!!!

Praise God!

Verses 18-19 demonstrate in a beautiful way that our giving of ourselves, our talents, and our resources (MONEY) is a LIVING SACRIFICE to God Almighty!

Our Giving and sacrifice is an act of WORSHIP!

When we give it is not ours that we even give… it is all His!

When we engage in giving to Him… we give to Him that which is rightly His already

We don’t give so people are impressed

We don’t give to receive status

We don’t give to get a tax break

We don’t give so Pastor sees… which I have no clue (Praise God)

We give as an act of worship and obedience to GOD!

The amazing thing… verse 19 (another one taken out of context) :

This is NOT God giving health wealth and happiness...

God is faithful to supply our needs (vs greed's) and…

Through His people supply for the work of the GOSPEL!

It is all according to His riches

And the focus remains on His Son and the Glory of Jesus Christ!

In closing this message I want to ask some questions:

Are you grateful (understanding the value)

Are you seeking comfort or contentment in this life

Are you seeking a sense of self entitlement or seeking self sacrifice for God and others

What is keeping me from contentment like Paul

What is keeping me from giving like the Philippians

Where do you need to start today to be a faithful conduit of giving