Giving For Love - Philippians 4:10-14 Series

Rejoicing over Love, not Money

But he’s quick to clarify two potential misunderstandings. The first one had to do with his discussion of contentment. Some commentators have criticized Paul for talking about contentment here because it seems like it minimizes their gift. How would you feel if you made a huge financial sacrifice to send a gift to a missionary and he wrote back and said, “I got your gift. Just want you to know – I didn’t need it.” Even if you didn’t need it – why would you say that to the people who were so generous?

The fact is, Paul did need it.

14 Yet you did well to share in my troubles.

He had financial troubles. In those days, when you were in prison, the government didn’t provide your food and clothing – friends and family had to do that. Paul even had to pay rent while he was in prison. So why would he say in v.11 that he didn’t need it? The answer is simple: he doesn’t say that. He never says, “I wasn’t in need.” What he says in v.11 is that getting his financial needs met wasn’t his reason for rejoicing. 10 I rejoice greatly in the Lord... 11 I am not saying this because I am in need “I’m super happy about your gift – not because it met a physical need, but for a much greater reason. I would never say I’m super happy about having a physical need met, because my happiness isn’t tied to that. That’s what I taught you back in ch.1. So if it wasn’t the money that made him happy, what was it? Look at what he says in v.10. Paul doesn’t say “I rejoice greatly in the Lord that you have given me this money.” He says I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. You see, he’s not minimizing or devaluing their gift by talking about contentment. Just the opposite. He’s elevating their gift to something much, much greater than just money. This is one of those times when some people needed to be taught about something they were doing right so they have greater joy. He’s saying, “I’m super happy about your gift, not because I’m happy about money, but because I’m happy about the love in your heart that motivated this gift.”

Not Pushing for Another Gift

So that clears up one potential misunderstanding. Then he clears up a second one down in v.17. Sometimes when people in ministry thank you for a gift, it comes off like they are angling for another gift in the future. The thank you letter comes with another self-addressed giving envelope. He’s not doing that. Paul isn’t like the preacher who preaches on giving for the purpose of fundraising. He’s definitely not fundraising.

17 Not that I am looking for a gift … 18 I have received full payment and even more; I am amply supplied

“I’m not looking to get you to send more money. I have more money now than I even need.” When’s the last time you heard a missionary or any ministry say that? Usually it’s more like, “Thank you for your generosity in the past. We haven’t gotten a check from you in a while. Do you really hate orphans?”

Paul doesn’t do that. He lets them know that he’s thrilled about getting the gift, but it’s not to manipulate them into giving more, and it’s not because he gets his happiness from money. He’s content. But he doesn’t ruin their gift by saying, “I’m content without money, therefore the gift doesn’t really mean that much to me.” Just the opposite – he says, “Your gift means the world to me because it’s something far greater than money. It tells me something about what’s in your hearts” – and that’s what Paul cared about.