For a while,
I have been considering what Paul wrote about the Philippian Christians sending
him financial help.[1]
It is particularly helpful because we are surrounded with the increasing needs
of the church as our brotherhood faces ongoing persecution, trouble, and
hardship. We need the freedom to discern how God would have us participate.
We are also
surrounded by hucksters and shucksters galore. As in Paul’s day, we have no
shortage of those who are nothing more than “peddlers
of God's word.”[2]
They have found in their ear-tickling ministries a way to amass huge amounts of
money for their own selfish gain.[3]
What can we
learn, then, from Paul’s teaching and example in facing his own needs, and
teaching those who would give to ministries in need?
Paul
addressed financial issues by first speaking of how he related to personal
needs. Since his brothers in Philippi were sending him financial help, he was
quick to give them a godly, Spirit-filled response to both needs and
provisions. He thanked them for their gift, and explained how he had learned to
be content in everything he faced. While he appreciated their gift, he did not
want them to relate to him out of any kind of obligation.[4]
The second
thing Paul addressed is how he wanted the Philippians to see themselves in view
of their giving. Again, he expressed appreciation for their gift, assured them
of the fullness of their provision to him, and that such partnership in
ministry was “a fragrant offering, a
sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God.”[5]
While he wanted them to know how much he appreciated their fellowship in
ministry, he directed attention to what mattered to God more than what any of
them thought about each other, or what they were sharing.
Paul gave a
specific statement that explained his secret of contentment on one side, and
then another specific teaching that addressed the Philippian’s participation on
the other. Both statements stood as two sides of the same coin, showing that
giver and receiver alike found their satisfaction and contentment from the same
source.
When Paul
spoke of his secret of contentment no matter what he experienced in situations
and circumstances, he wrote, “I can do
all things through him who strengthens me.”[6]
When he addressed what the Philippians were able to do to help him in his
ministry he wrote, “And my God will
supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”[7]
From the standpoint
of the receiver of the gift, even when there are no gifts to receive, Paul
declared that his sufficiency was Christ. He could face everything, good or
bad, plenty or poverty, because of the one who gave him his strength.
From the side
of the givers of the gifts, no matter what need they were responding to, and no
matter what each person decided to give, the reason for whatever they were
doing was that their sufficiency was in Christ. Whatever they gave, they would
find Jesus supplying their every need.
What unites
the two sides in receiving and giving is that both look to the sufficiency of Jesus
Christ. On one side, there is the sufficiency of Christ giving strength to his
children in every situation and circumstance they face, no matter how needy
they feel. On the other side, there is the sufficiency of Christ providing for
the givers no matter how much they feel compelled to give. The strength to
endure circumstances comes from Christ, and the provision of our needs so we
can give freely comes from Christ.
Paul says the
same thing when he encourages the Corinthians in their giving to their trouble
brothers in Jerusalem. He wrote,
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.[8]
God’s
super-abounding grace is able to meet all our needs even as we respond to the
needs of others. We do not look first to the size of our bank account, but to
the immensity of God’s grace in meeting our needs. We do not look first to our limitations
in handling situations and circumstances, but to the immensity of God’s
strength constantly ready to reveal itself in our weakness.
Whether we
are more aware of our need for help, or are praying about how to be generous
and cheerful givers, everything we do goes back to the sufficiency of Christ.
His strength will get us through our circumstances, and his grace will enable
us to respond to the circumstances of others. As we all look to the sufficiency
of Christ, he will continue to give us contentment, and meet our needs,
according to the richness of his glory.
© 2015 Monte Vigh ~ Box 517,
Merritt, BC, V1K 1B8 ~ in2freedom@gmail.com
Unless otherwise noted,
Scriptures are from the English Standard Version (The Holy Bible, English
Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good
News Publishers.)
[1]
Philippians 4:10-20
[2]
II Corinthians 2:17
[3]
II Corinthians 4:3-4; I Timothy 6:3-5; Titus 1:11
[4]
This, of course, is in sharp contrast to today’s peddlers of God’s word that
constantly tell their hearers how dependent they are on people “sowing” their
financial seeds into their ministries.
[5]
Philippians 4:18
[6]
Philippians 4:13
[7]
Philippians 4:19
[8]
II Corinthians 9:7-8
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