VIIi. Appreciation of Support (Philippians 4:10-23)
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VIIi. Appreciation of Support (4:10-23)
4:10 Paul is grateful for the support he’s received from the Philippians. He rejoiced in the Lord greatly because once again they expressed their care for him. Though they couldn’t support him previously, now they could. Paul understands the providence of God. Providence is God arranging things beforehand for the fulfillment of his purposes. God is in control, and there’s no such thing as luck, chance, or coincidence. If something doesn’t work out, God must have another plan.
4:11-12 Paul had learned to be content in whatever circumstances he found himself (4:11). Whether he had much or little, he had learned the secret of being content (4:12). Contentment means being satisfied and at rest with where God has you, despite what’s happening around you. It’s not natural or automatic; it must be learned. God teaches us contentment through the ups and downs of changing circumstances. He wants us to learn to depend on him and his divine enablement no matter what happens to us or around us. As we grow in our understanding and experience of his providence, we will also grow in our level of contentment.
4:13-14 Paul confesses, I am able to do all things through him who strengthens me (4:13). The secret of Paul’s contentment, then, is the infusion of strength he gets when he can’t go any further. Many times, it seems that God doesn’t come through for us until we can’t take one more step. Then he provides at just the right time—as he did for Paul through the generosity of the Philippians (4:14). The lesson of contentment is most effectively learned during times of suffering need.
4:15-18 Continuing to build on the themes of contentment and God’s providence, Paul recounts the Philippians’ faithfulness to him in the past (4:15-16). He desires to increase their account (4:17)—that is, their heavenly reward. Paul had received an abundance from them, a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God (4:18). These are Old Testament images that describe their service.
4:19-20 He then says that they will be blessed for their generosity, promising, God will supply all your needs according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus (4:19). In other words, their generosity led to God’s provision. God is concerned not only with our receiving from him; he also wants others to receive from us. In other words, God doesn’t just want to give you a miracle; he wants you to become a miracle for someone else (see Luke 6:38). This brings to him greater glory, which brings to you greater blessing (4:20).
4:21-23 Paul concludes his joyous letter with a warm farewell and a final word of blessing: the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit (4:23). Like Paul, they (and we) need God’s grace to continue to joyfully stand firm in the Lord.