"The Joy of Giving"

Last weekend after the message I had a member of our family ask me what he could say to his friend who was having a hard time with his church because all the pastor ever talks about is money. The truth is I feel like there are a lot of pastors that are hesitant to talk about money and giving because of things like this, or because people are suspicious of pastors especially those who are associated with the prosperity gospel. (The health and wealth guys.) So, there is an importance of watching what we say about this subject, but we cannot avoid talking about a subject that the Bible addresses a lot. In the passage that we are going to read today we see a great theology about giving and receiving. In fact, the Philippians had learned the secret of joyful, liberal financial giving. The church in Philippi had taken up an offering to give to Paul, in prison because of his faith. Paul wrote back to the church and expressed his joy in receiving the gift. Just a side not that the word Joy, or its derivative, occurs almost 20 times in this letter.

Let me ask you a question as we begin our time today. Have you discovered the joy of giving? I think that there are way too many believers who view giving as an occasion for grief or dread rather than an occasion for joy. So, what can we learn today about joyful giving?

1. Giving shows that we are genuinely concerned.

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.

Just like in any family we have to talk about money and finances at some point. When it comes to the church family there are bills and needs as well. We all come together to help out and show our concern so that the gospel can continue to spread and people can know about the good news of Jesus.

What we see here in verse 10 is that Paul was super joyful and grateful for the Philippians concern about him and for their generosity. The word revived in verse 10 pictures something that was dead now coming to life. It’s like a tree or plant that is barren in the winter, but when spring comes, the tree or plant blossoms with new shoots and flowers. The Philippian Christians had been barren (or lacked in their opportunity) in expressing their concern for Paul, but now, with the gift of money they sent him it showed their concern for his welfare.

When we give a tithe to the church or give a gift to someone it 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 the Lord and other people.

As we focus on the needs of others, and give to help meet those needs, we experience joy. Giving shows that we are genuinely concerned.

2. Giving teaches us contentment.

Philippians 4:11–13 ESV

Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 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. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Here in these three verses Paul did not want this church to think that his joy came from just having money, so he is quick to help them see this lesson on being content. The Greek Philosophers of Paul’s day used the word content to describe self-sufficiency. Paul believed his sufficiency was in Christ.

Hebrews 13:5 ESV

Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Paul believed that whether you were naked or clothed, hungry or filled, rich or poor, if you had the Lord in your life, you had everything you needed. Today our consumer-based society pressures us to place so much value on material things, to the point that our joy is based on how much we have. This approach to life results in a huge dissatisfaction because we will always feel that we never seem to have enough.

Let me ask you today, how do you define contentment? Is it in more stuff? Is it a bigger house? How about the new car? Some people think that if they could just move away from Odessa than they would finally be content. Or if we just had a better leader in our country, or a better judicial system.

-Paul stresses to us that our contentment is not based on circumstances. He has learned that his true contentment is found in Christ.

-In verse 13 Paul actually gives us the secret to contentment. Christian contentment is rooted in our relationship with Christ. Paul tells us that he is able to do all things through Christ who strengthens him. This verse here is one of the most quoted verses, but also one of the most misapplied verses in the Bible. Many athletes love to share this verse to help them go after their goals of doing whatever. Church I love baseball, but just because I quote this verse it does not mean that I will hit a home run in the next world series. The context here has to do with contentment and material possessions. Paul is saying that through Christ he is able to be content in every situation. This is the secret. Jesus is enough and through Him we can be content. Because Jesus has changed our lives we can joyfully give, knowing and trusting that God will take care of us.

3. Giving helps us see the importance of partnership.

Philippians 4:14–16 ESV

Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble. 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. Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again.

(Quick note about not being a partner with the world.)

In these verses Paul refers us back to verse 10 so that we can see his joy and concern about the Philippians support. The believers there at Philippi have been very kind and loving so that they were authentic partners, in helping Pauls mission with their financial support. The word share here is the same word often translated as "fellowship." The word means partnership. Paul views this church as co-laborers with him. Even though many of the believers in the church weren’t very wealthy, they gave sacrificially and generously to support this great missionary. Paul tells us here that in the very early days of the church they helped support him to advance the gospel. When no other church entered into a partnership the Philippians did and this was a great joy to Paul.

Becoming a partner involves more than just money, but money is important because without it we cannot continue to carry out the mission of the Lord. Each time we give to the Lord's work, we partner with other Christians to help advance the kingdom. This exciting thought should put joy in our hearts. We need to follow the Philippian example. Even though they were a young church, they were a very supporting church.

4. Generous Giving allows us to bear fruit.

Philippians 4:17 ESV

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

Paul is very quick to mention here that he is not seeking after the gift. In other words, Paul wants this church to know that his joy is not due to the fact that they have given this generous gift. He is not pressuring them to give so that he can get rich. So, why exactly is Paul so happy? Notice here that Paul says what he is seeking. Paul is seeking the fruit, that is what he is after. He wants this church at Philippi to bear fruit. As a pastor, I have a desire to see people grow spiritually and to invest in eternal things. I want to see believers grow in every area of their life, including financial stewardship. When we come together as a church and labor together and partner together we should see the fruit of God’s work. Yes, it may be just a little bit at times and then at other times larger fruit.

Paul helps us see here that there is an eternal importance of giving. He says that he seeks the fruit that increases to your credit. Paul is so happy because he knows that God is going to bless these believers for giving or laying up treasures in heaven and not on earth. We need to live with this great perspective.

5. Giving grows our faith.

Philippians 4:19–20 ESV

And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.

I think that there are many of us who have fears when it comes to money. Maybe there were some members of the church at Philippi who 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.

The Philippians had supplied or taken care of Paul’s needs, and now Paul is quick to help them know that God will supply their needs. Now this does not mean that God would give them whatever they wanted or desired, but that God would provide everything they need to live for Him, including their spiritual needs.

There are so many believers today who sit at work or in their homes looking at their money and bills and come to a conclusion that they have no or little money to give to the church. I have to pay the bills Matt, I have to take care of my children first, or pay the car payment. What I see is that there are many bigger priorities than faithful financial stewardship.

Verse 19 encourages us to take the step of faith and to give, trusting God to meet our needs. We need to fight our fear with this great promise. We need to fix our eyes on the Lord and trust our Father. The next time fear and doubt and anxiety cross your path about money, remember that God has already solved our greatest problem. God the Father gave His one and only Son for us, and He can provide our daily bread. Let us remember that we can trust God to take care of us.

Paul not only gives us this wonderful promise, but he also ends all of this with praise to His Heavenly Father. Notice verse 20. Today as you think about your own life and all that God the Father has graciously provided like our salvation, the appropriate response should be to praise God. Paul who was in prison finds a way to have a heart of thanksgiving and praise.

God meets our needs personally and spiritually. He is the Almighty God, who is worthy of our praise. Great is His faithfulness.