Life’s Lessons through Giving
Philippians 4:10 - 20
10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity.
11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
14 Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction.
15 Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only.
16 For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity.
17 Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.
18 But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God.
19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
20 Now unto God and our Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
I) Giving revives our concern
Giving takes the focus off ourselves and puts it onto someone or something else. Giving becomes a tangible way we can express concern and love to other people.
As we focus on the needs of others, and give to help meet those needs, we experience joy. Giving revives our concern for people.
II) Giving teaches us contentment
Paul did not want this church to think that his joy rested on whether he had money.
How do you define contentment? Contentment is not trimming down your desires. Contentment means living with a sense of God's adequacy, a conviction that God is adequate for any need we face. Therefore, we can give joyfully, knowing God will supply our needs.
III) Giving makes us partners in ministry
The word communicate is the same word often translated as "fellowship." The word denotes partnership. Each time we give to the Lord's work, we partner with other Christians to help advance the kingdom.
Southern Baptists recognize the importance of partnering with one another. We do this through the Cooperative Program, an ingenious missions support plan that allows us to do far more together than we could individually.
IV) Giving pays spiritual dividends
The phrase "credited to your account" implies that giving to the Lord is like investing in kingdom matters. Kingdom work pays spiritual dividends.
Giving from the right motives and for the right reasons leads to an act of worship.
V) Giving grows our faith in God
Perhaps some of the members of the church at Philippi had given to Paul's ministry but were worried they might not have enough money left to meet their own needs. Paul gave them a great promise to stand upon.
• God meets our needs personally ("my God").
• He meets our needs liberally ("all your needs").
• He meets our needs gloriously ("according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus").
In Closing:
As we give financially to the Lord's work, we help spread the gospel message. We meet people's needs. We assist people in growing spiritually. We enable our churches to shine as God's lights in the world. Such privileges fill our hearts with joy and God’s heart with delight.
