Models of Giving and Receiving

. . . by great endurance, by afflictions, by hardship, by difficulties, by beatings, by imprisonments, by riots, by labors, by sleepless nights, by times of hunger . . . (2 Cor 6:4-5)

Three times I was shipwrecked. I have spent a night and a day in the open sea. On frequent journeys, I faced . . . hardship, many sleepless nights, hunger and thirst, often without food, cold, and lacking clothing. (2 Cor 11:25-27)

Paul knew what abundance was like, but he also often went without food. He knew what it was like to sleep in the cold. He really did know what it meant to be brought low. Paul learned contentment as he followed Jesus; he learned what mattered. We might wish that a certain crisis would break us from our love affair with this world, but contentment isn’t learned in a single crisis. It’s learned through exposure to times of need and times of plenty. It involves a regular struggle to believe that Christ is enough. It involves us going through the school of need and the school of plenty. Both schools offer various tests that we must take.

In the school of prosperity, we will encounter the test of greed. Will having possessions create in us an insatiable desire for more? Solomon wrote, “The one who loves money is never satisfied with money, and whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with income. This too is futile” (Eccl 5:10). Additionally, Paul tells Timothy that those who are “rich” have other temptations:

But those who want to be rich fall into temptation, a trap, and many foolish and harmful desires, which plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, and by craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pains. (1 Tim 6:9-10)

Instruct those who are rich in the present age not to be arrogant or to set their hope on the uncertainty of wealth, but on God, who richly provides us with all things to enjoy. Instruct them to do what is good, to be rich in good works, to be generous, willing to share, storing up for themselves a good reserve for the age to come, so that they may take hold of life that is real. (1 Tim 6:17-19)

Paul calls attention to the temptations of arrogance, misplaced trust, not enjoying God’s free gifts, not doing good works, stinginess, making poor investments, and living an empty life.

What about the school of poverty? This school also presents various tests. The poor too are tested by greed—though this may surprise people. The poor aren’t immune to greed. Greed may cause the poor to be tempted to sin in order to get rich (through lying, stealing, relying on others instead of working, or manipulating). They may grow envious of their neighbor, even if their neighbor is also poor. The person with a mud hut could easily grow envious of the person who has a metal roof. If you visit orphanages, you will see greed and envy at work, as kids want the trinkets of their peers, despite the fact that all the kids are in poverty. Greed isn’t removed when one becomes rich or poor. It’s a heart issue. The poor also have the temptation of losing contentment in Christ if they should ever become wealthy.

The writer of Proverbs reminds us that in every situation, we should long for a content life that glorifies God:

Two things I ask of You;

don’t deny them to me before I die:

Keep falsehood and deceitful words far from me.

Give me neither poverty nor wealth;

feed me with the food I need.

Otherwise, I might have too much

and deny You, saying, “Who is the Lord?”

or I might have nothing and steal,

profaning the name of my God. (Prov 30:7-9)

The rich are tempted to deny God. The poor are tempted to want to be like the rich or to steal in order to gain. The writer says, “Give me a content life. Give me what I need. Help me see You are most important, O Lord.” Contentment is learned.

Contentment flows from union with and reliance on Christ (4:13). Paul now tells us the “secret” of contentment. The secret is a public secret. It’s an open secret. What’s the secret? Here it is: Christian contentment is rooted in our relationship with Christ. It flows from our union and communion with the Savior. Paul says, “I am able to do all things through Him who strengthens me.” This particular verse is one of the most often quoted verses in the Bible, but unfortunately, it’s one of the most misapplied verses in the Bible! Paul isn’t making a categorical, comprehensive statement here. He isn’t saying that “I can break these chains, body slam these guards, and run out of this prison with 4.4 speed—through Christ who strengthens me!”

Many athletes love to quote this verse for inspiration to achieve their dreams. Often they are well intentioned, but they are uninformed. I don’t question their motive, just their exegesis. I (Tony) can’t dunk a basketball. And it doesn’t matter how often I quote Philippians 4:13, this fact will not change! The only time I can dunk is when someone lowers the goal to about seven feet (which Francis and I recently did in Austin, Texas). It’s not a problem with my unbelief; it’s a problem with my height and ability!

The phrase “all things” must be governed by the context. The context is about contentment and material possessions. The NIV translates it well: “I can do all this through him who gives me strength” (NIV; emphasis added). If the ESV and HCSB added the word “these,” then they would convey Paul’s thoughts exactly, “I can do all [these] things through Christ who strengthens me” (ESV). Paul is saying that through Christ he’s able to be content in every situation. This is the secret: Christ is enough. Christ empowers us to be content. C. J. Mahaney says it well: “Paul learned the secret because he learned to give attention to the Savior” (“A Rare Jewel”). Paul isn’t preoccupied with his situation; he’s preoccupied with Jesus. This is the secret. When you focus on Jesus, you can be content.

Are you preoccupied with your circumstances or with your Savior? To quote NASCAR driver Jeff Gordon, “Either you focus, or you end up hitting something really hard!” (in Mahaney, “A Rare Jewel”). This simple and true statement also illustrates the nature of the Christian life. Either you focus on Jesus, or you will crash into discontentment, complaining, deceit, distrust, or greed. The secret is focusing on Jesus and communing with Him daily. Find your strength in Him.

Think about this question also: Has a lack of contentment made you less flexible to live on mission? Contentment makes you adaptable. How can people leave it all for the foreign mission field? Here’s how: they’re preoccupied with Jesus, not their circumstances. They’ve chosen to live out Philippians 4:11-13. They don’t need a bunch of stuff and familiar, comfortable surroundings.

Christian contentment makes us flexible, able to go anywhere. If you’re from the South and you decide to join a church plant in the North, you will face many cultural challenges. You won’t get any more sweet tea! If you move to another country, in an impoverished place, you might have to drink instant coffee! That’s a real test of contentment! More seriously, overseas living will require you to learn another language, adopt new customs, and reorient your whole way of life. Can you do this? You can’t if you aren’t content in Christ. Those who are content in Christ have learned to say with Paul, “But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with these” (1 Tim 6:8).

I have met some people who say, “I’ll serve anywhere as long as it’s in Georgia.” Or, “I can go anywhere as long as I’m close to my family.” So do you need Jesus plus something else, or is Christ enough? Paul is showing us that contented Christians haven’t made this world their home. They have found contentment somewhere else, in Someone else! The writer of Hebrews says,

Your life should be free from the love of money. Be satisfied with what you have, for He Himself has said, “I will never leave you or forsake you.” (Heb 13:5)

Apply this text. Don’t love money; be content with what you have. Realize that the Lord will never forsake you. That’s Great Commission language (Matt 28:18-20). Christian contentment makes us adaptable, flexible, open to wherever the Lord wants to send us because what we must have is Him. If we have His presence, then we have enough.

Partnership: See the Inseparable Relationship between Financial Support and Gospel Partnership (4:14-16)

In these verses Paul resumes the subject of verse 10 and adds to his point by highlighting more details of the Philippians’ exemplary support. Paul highlights the Philippians’ sympathy and authenticity. They were kind to share (fellowship) in his troubles. Their kindness went beyond mere sentiment, though. They were authentic partners, sharing in Paul’s mission through financial support.

Paul shows us here the inseparable relationship between financial giving and gospel partnership. If you aren’t giving, you aren’t a partner. You’re more like a consumer or a customer. But Paul doesn’t view the Philippians as customers. He views them as co-laborers. They put skin in the game. Even though many of them weren’t wealthy, they earned a reputation for giving sacrificially, generously, and cheerfully to support the mission (2 Cor 8–9).

Paul’s relationship with the Philippians was special. No wonder he loved this church so much! He says that from the very early days of the church, they supported the mission of advancing the gospel and planting churches. When he left Philippi for Thessalonica (Acts 16–17; cf. 2 Cor 11:9), this young church was already helping him. He says that no other church entered such partnership (Phil 4:15). Apparently, some were enjoying the benefits of Paul’s teaching and pastoral care but not assuming the responsibility of giving. How common this is in local congregations—receiving benefits but giving nothing in return. When a person is receiving sound instruction, which leads to life and godliness, and when a person is receiving pastoral care, they have the privilege and the responsibility of giving to support the mission of the church.

As individuals, don’t be customers; be co-laborers. Join as partners through financial giving. See the relationship between being a partner and giving financially. Don’t be a ninja. Don’t simply appear on a Sunday, and then vanish mysteriously. Become a partner. Surely, partnership involves more than money, but money is important; we can’t carry out the mission with pure sympathy.

As a church, follow the Philippian example. Even though they were a young church, they were supporting work elsewhere, and they were participating in the planting of other churches. I (Tony) want our young church plant to scatter hundreds of communities of light into the dark nooks and crannies of the world. I long to see the multiplication of many churches, not just the addition of attenders to one local church. This will happen through sacrificial, generous support for the glory of our Savior, who is worthy of every sacrifice we make.

Fruitfulness: Understand the Spiritual and Eternal Importance of Giving (4:17)

Next Paul adds to his theology of giving and receiving by highlighting the spiritual and eternal significance of living a generous life. Paul again says, “Not.” He’s being very careful as to what he says and what he doesn’t say. After talking about the privilege and responsibility of giving, he says, “Not that I seek the gift.” Paul wants them to know that his joy isn’t due to the fact that they’ve given him a gift. He’s not pressing the importance of giving because he wants to get rich. That’s not his motive. Why then is Paul so happy about the Philippians’ partnership? He says, “I seek the fruit” (ESV). That’s what Paul is after! He wants the Philippians to bear fruit—he wants them to profit spiritually. He’s happy because the Philippians are acting like Christians. Paul opened the letter praying that the Philippians would be “filled with the fruit of righteousness” (1:11). Here is one form of fruitfulness: generous giving.

Every pastor should feel free to talk about money because every pastor should care about the fruitfulness of God’s people. As pastors, we have a responsibility to see that people grow spiritually and invest eternally. We should want to see growth and faithfulness in every area of their lives, including financial stewardship. This doesn’t mean we know everyone’s salary or the balance of their bank accounts. But we should teach on it and hold people accountable because we care for God’s people and because we will give an account for shepherding them.

Earlier, Paul told the Philippians that he’s laboring for their “progress and joy in the faith” (1:25). He wants progress. That involves, in part, seeing progress in giving. Are you seeking to bear fruit? Are you bearing fruit in this area? Paul prays for the Colossians that they would be “bearing fruit in every good work” (Col 1:10). Here’s a good work: bearing fruit by giving financially to advance the gospel.

When I (Tony) was in college, two particular teammates really mentored me. They showed me how to bear fruit in various graces, including the area of giving to the mission of the church. I remember walking into the bedroom of one of my friends after baseball practice, and I noticed above his desk was a Post-it note that said, “This week’s offering: [amount].” My 21-year-old self said, “Hmm. That’s interesting. He’s already thinking about what he’s giving this Sunday.” That example and many other examples of generosity really impacted me. Do you have a disciplined plan for giving to the mission of the church?

Paul also points out the eternal importance of giving; he says, “I seek the fruit that increases to your credit” (4:17 ESV; emphasis added). Paul is pleased because he knows God will bless the believers for laying up treasures in heaven, not on earth. We need to live with this divine perspective. God will honor people’s faithfulness and fruitfulness in this life. Jesus taught this subject in several places (e.g., Matt 6:19-24; Luke 12:32-34).

Alistair Begg notes that while it’s not a bad idea to have an IRA (Individual Retirement Account), every believer should have an IEA (Individual Eternal Account); that is, we should be laying up treasures in heaven. Regarding one’s IEA, he asks, “What’s in it?” and “When did you make your last contribution?” (Begg, “Everyone Needs One”). The safest and surest investment is to steward your resources faithfully for the good of the kingdom. Paul is thrilled because the Philippians are contributing to this eternal account, showing that their treasure isn’t here on earth, demonstrating that they are citizens of heaven.

Worship: Bring Pleasure to God through Sacrificial Giving (4:18)

Paul drops the financial metaphor and moves to Old Testament imagery. He uses the language of the sacrifice of worship. (His language also sounds like Romans 12:1-2, where he talks about offering up our lives to God as an act of worship.) Just as the Old Testament sacrifices made a pleasing aroma that would ascend skyward, Paul says sacrificial giving pleases God. Indeed, Paul places the highest possible value on giving—a means of worshiping God.

What scents attract you? I’m attracted to the smell of a grill, baseball fields, French press coffee, and of course the sweet scent of my bride’s perfume! Sacrificial obedience is a pleasing aroma to God. This is why you should give faithfully: because you want to please God. You should want to give because you want to worship Him. We get to give! We get to worship! Our offerings actually please God. Please understand that our giving cannot score us points with God. We can’t earn salvation by giving a check. We aren’t pleasing God in that sense. We give because we are saved, not in order to be saved. We give as a response to the marvelous grace that God has shown us. We give because Jesus is a giver! He gave His life for us. So the mature believer knows that giving is no burden; it’s pure joy. It’s a glad act of worship. Every week when we give our offerings, we should say, “This is only by Your grace, Lord. Receive this as a joyful offering of worship to the One who made me His own!”

Whether you’re a pastor, teacher, small group leader, or parent, you should teach the importance of giving because you want people to please God. It’s not because you want their money; giving is important because you want them to worship God in a way that honors Him. Money is a great tool, but a terrible master. Worship God with your money, but don’t worship money.

Faith: Trust in God’s Provision (4:19-20)

Paul now encourages the Philippians with a magnificent promise. The Philippians “supplied” Paul’s needs sufficiently, and now Paul assures them that God will supply all their needs out of His infinite resources. Paul doesn’t promise the church that God will provide for their greed, but for their need. While Paul surely has material provision in view here, we shouldn’t limit the application to this dimension. God also supplies every spiritual need, including the ability to be content and to find sufficient strength in Christ. Paul is saying that God will provide everything we need to live for Christ.

Those motivated like the Philippians should marvel at this extraordinary promise. Those giving like the Philippians should treasure this promise. Those giving and living like the Philippians should trust in God’s provision (2 Cor 9:6-15). Paul is a living testimony of this promise. Through abundance and need, he found that Christ is enough; we can trust in the Father’s care.

We have many fears when it comes to money. We need to fight fear with the promises of God. God loves His children. Believe this. He has taken hold of us; we’re His. Treasure Jesus, and trust the Father. He’s good to His kids. We should go to Scripture and remind ourselves of His promises. We should fix our eyes on the cross in moments of doubt and anxiety, remembering that God has already solved our greatest problem. He gave His own Son for us; He can provide daily bread for us (Rom 8:32).

We should learn to apply Philippians 4:6-7 to the matter of money. Pour out your heart to your Father in prayer as you encounter anxiety. We have a young couple in our congregation who served in youth ministry prior to moving to seminary. They tell a story that I think even George Mueller would find impressive! The couple was living on a meager salary. On one particular night, they were down to 13 cents in their bank account. They were getting paid the next day, but they were out of lots of supplies, including toilet paper! After a period of frustration, they decided to pray for God to provide. They took Philippians 4:6-7 seriously: Don’t worry about anything, but pray about everything. That night their youth group did what many youth groups do—they “rolled” their home. That means they threw toilet paper all over their house, yard, and trees. But this group didn’t really know what they were doing, so they only used one roll. They left the rest of the package on the doorstep, knocked on the door, and ran off. When the young couple opened the door, they found that their prayer was answered!

I use this story simply to illustrate how we should pour out our hearts to God and give Him our burdens. Whether you need a job, wisdom, bread, or baby formula, give it to God in prayer. Let’s follow the pattern of Paul and the Philippians. Let’s learn to rejoice in the Lord over our partners in the gospel. Let’s thank God for them in front of them. Let’s also learn the secret of contentment: Christ is enough. Let’s see the relationship between financial support and genuine gospel partnership. Let’s understand that giving is a way in which we bear fruit, store up treasures in heaven, and worship God. As we live in such a generous and sacrificial way, let’s remember that we can trust God to take care of us.

Paul bounces out of this promise with praise to the Father (v. 20). This is the appropriate response to God, who has provided for our salvation and continues to sustain us spiritually and physically. Paul bursts into praise when thinking about the “glorious Father” (Eph 1:17). We have to admire Paul, who is confined in prison yet soaring with a heart full of praise! We would soar too if we pondered anew what the Almighty can do (and has done!). Great is His faithfulness!

Warm Greetings and Gospel Encouragement

Philippians 4:21-23

Let’s consider Paul’s final words to his beloved partners in this inspired, joy-filled letter about gospel advancement. Paul tells the church to greet all the saints, who are saints due to their position “in Christ Jesus.” He opened the letter with a greeting to the saints (1:1), and now he closes with a similar expression. They share a common bond because of their relationship with Christ. He also sends greetings from the “brothers.” Once again, we see that Paul rarely lived an isolated life. He lived his Christian life in community, even when he was in prison. He then broadens his warm greeting by sending greetings from “all the saints.” This reference reminds the church in Philippi, and us, about other genuine communities of faith and the solidarity that we share.

The most striking aspect of the final greeting is at the end of verse 22: “especially those from Caesar’s household.” Most believe that this expression refers to those who served in various ways in Caesar’s home. This reference is a wonderful touch at the end of the letter, reminding the Philippians that the power of Rome can’t ultimately stop the power of the gospel. Earlier Paul spoke about his desire for “the advance of the gospel” (1:12), and here we see that it is indeed advancing, even in his imprisonment. This must have been encouraging for the Philippians to hear as they were encountering opposition.

Paul closes with a word of blessing: “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.” He opened with a grace blessing (1:2), and now he closes with one. This remarkable letter is saturated with grace from God’s promise of completing what He started (1:6); to the promise we have of being with Christ (1:23); to the stunning self-emptying of Christ (2:7); to the imputed righteousness of Christ on believing sinners (3:9); to the fact that we have a heavenly citizenship (3:20); to the Father, who hears our prayers and gives us peace (4:6-7)—a Father who supplies all our needs (4:19). We need to know this grace more. We need relationships oiled in grace, and we, indeed, should praise God for His grace and favor that brings us great joy. Let us advance the gospel of grace faithfully and courageously.

Reflect and Discuss