Happiness Though Giving Series

Happiness Through Giving

Jeffery Anselmi / General

Be Happy / Giving / Philippians 4:10–20

Give generously to God and his purposes. We gain happiness by giving if our heart is right.

INTRODUCTION

• Can you believe that Thanksgiving is almost here? I must say that as with everything that takes place in 2020, this Thanksgiving holiday will be much different for many than it usually is.

• Today we will conclude our Be Happy series, and I cannot think of a more appropriate time to conclude this series than now.

• Being thankful is obviously one of the ways we can be happy, and of course, that is PART of what Thanksgiving is all about.

• However, the other part of the equation and holiday is GIVING.

• When we go back to the first Thanksgiving in November of 1621, we find that the Pilgrims were thankful and the Native Americans were giving.

• The first meal was a sharing of food between the Pilgrims and the Natives.

• A thankful person is a giving person, so today we are going to focus on the giving aspect of thanksgiving.

• You will find that one of the ways you can be happy in life is by being a giving person.

• Today we will examine three things one must do so that one can be a giving person.

• The context of the passage deals specifically with how the Philippian Church was able to help Paul, and how much joy it brought Paul to receive their gifts.

• Today our BIG IDEA IS “Give generously and cheerfully. Give generously to God and his purposes because being a cheerful giver will bring you happiness because by being a giver, you are contributing to the happiness of others, and in the case of giving to the Lord’s work, you are an important part of something larger than yourself.

Philippians 4:10–12 CSB

10 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly because once again you renewed your care for me. You were, in fact, concerned about me but lacked the opportunity to show it.

11 I don’t say this out of need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I find myself.

12 I know how to make do with little, and I know how to make do with a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content—whether well fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need.

SERMON

› For one to be a joyful generous giver one must…

I. Learn the art of contentment.

• The passage we are looking at now is a great one, because, within this, you will find a key to freedom and happiness for your life.

• Paul was in a tough spot most of the time, at this point, he was in jail. Apparently, the Philippian church hit a spot where they could not give to help Paul.

• Paul wanted the folks to know that he was not upset.

• Something changed that allowed the church to once again help Paul financially.

• In many places Paul served, because of the level of poverty, he did not take a salary, he worked while he served the Lord for these churches.

• Now let’s look at one of the secrets to being a joyful giver.

• You will notice that it is actually the RECEIVER of the gift who will exhibit the virtue of contentment.

• Look at verse 11 with me.

Philippians 4:11 CSB

11 I don’t say this out of need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I find myself.

The word rendered “content” (a?t?????, autarkes) is only here in the New Testament, though words related to it are found in 1 Cor 9:8 and 1 Tim 6:6. Philosophers used the word to describe the independence wisdom brought. Paul changed the idea into an independence of dependence—on Christ. Ash, A. L. (1994). Philippians, Colossians & Philemon (Php 4:11). Joplin, MO: College Press.

• How many of us can say we are content with our circumstances, no matter what they may be?

• The word CONTENT denotes sufficiency in oneself; however, as stated, Paul adds the fact that contentment deals with sufficiency in Christ!

• Look at verse 12 again.

Philippians 4:12 CSB

12 I know how to make do with little, and I know how to make do with a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content—whether well fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need.

• How can one possibly feel sufficient in times of little, or in times of hunger?

• The word KNOW in verse 12 means to gain by experience.

• In verse 11 Paul states, I HAVE LEARNED, now in verse 12 there is a shift to I KNOW. This knowing comes from what Paul learned through experience.