Life lessons from Paul
Philippians 4:14-19
This second sermon on life lessons from Paul concludes his closing remarks. In other letters he closes by taking the quill from his amanuensis, not only to show personal interest, but also to authenticate his letters. (see 2 Thess. 3:17) Perhaps that is what he has done in these last verses: personally thanking them for their gift for his need.
An important lesson from Paul is learned in these final verses that I want to expound this morning and I would like to begin where I ended last week: Paul’s life lessons are lessons learned in the School of walking with the Master and we will learn these lessons also as God gives us opportunity. What will you make of the opportunity?
Experience has taught Paul a thing or two about money and in discussing the Philippians’ gift to him, that lesson is clearly evident.
First of all, Paul speaks in peculiar terms in regards to the Philippians’ ministry to him: he speak of concern, opportunity, and reviving.
Concern 10a
These Philippians were concerned with Paul. He has already elluded to the fact that they labored together with him for the gospel (1:5) and calls them co-laborers (4:3b). They cared enough about Paul to commission Epaphroditus on a trip to Rome.
But their concern was not just now… ten years ago when Paul was planting Churches in Macedonia, they were concerned as well. (15-16)
This Church cared about this apostle and it moved them to action.
Opportunity 10c
They cared, but weren’t in a position to help… until now. An opportunity to help him arose. A textbook definition of this word is a “profitable moment”. God brought about an opportunity to act upon the care they already had for him.
Paul calls this opportunity “sharing in his trouble.” This was an opportunity that would be costly, that would be troublesome. Yet they were able to engage with him through this trouble.
Revive 10b
The verb attached to their action toward Paul is “revive”. A strange verb that is only used here in Scripture. It calls up images of a flower or plant that shoots out new roots and sprouts. It comes to life.
Their care for Paul through acting on this opportunity is described as flourishing. And Paul calls what they did “good.”
Which brings us to what Paul has learned: It’s not about the gift… it’s about the credit on their account. What account? Their account in heaven. Paul drives their attention heaven-ward: He has received their gift, he is overwhelmed, everything is filled up and their gift… he describes it as an offering given to God. Using all the Old Testament imagery, this gift they have given is well-pleasing to the Lord.
Attached to this gift they have given, then, is the promise: God will supply all you needs according to His riches.
And there you have it… Paul has learned through experience that God takes care of our needs. He uses others to do it… by causing care to grow in their hearts, by bringing an opportunity to act, and then by allowing a sacrifice to flourish in and through us.
Just because you care, though… and just because there is an opportunity… doesn’t mean that you will flourish. We must choose to give the gift, to sacrifice for others. And in no other area of life is this quite as evident as in the area of our finances. How generous are you?
