Giving To Get - Philippians 4:15-19 Series

Philippians 4:15 Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; 16 for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid again and again when I was in need. 17 Not that I am looking for a gift, but I am looking for what may be credited to your account. 18 I have received full payment and even more; I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. 19 And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.

Introduction

What if You’re Still Reluctant?

When you hear stories about Christians who live really simple lives, very few comforts and luxuries, so they can give 50% or or 80% of their income more, and their lives are full of joy and all kinds of blessing, how does that hit you? Does it inspire you, or does it just weigh you down with guilt? Like the man who walked away sad when Jesus told him to sell his possessions and give to the poor, because he was a rich man. Not that you walk away from the Lord altogether, but does the idea of radical giving make you more sad than happy because of what it would cost you?

How can you transform a reluctant heart that gives grudgingly into a willing heart that gives joyfully? Paul points us to 4 things in the closing section of Philippians. So far we’ve looked at the first three. First, realize that giving is a wonderful act of selfless love. Second, realize that giving is a real partnership and participation in ministries that would not happen if not for that giving. And third, realize that giving can be pleasing, acceptable worship that greatly honors God.

Those are the first three aspects of their giving that made their gift so beautiful. But even with those three, there is one major obstacle that could still prevent us from having the kind of joy we need to give like this. You’re struggling to pay your bills as it is, and the thought of increasing giving is just really scary. How do you get over the hump? You get over that hump by giving like Abel and not like Cain. And what was the difference between their gifts? Faith. And that’s the 4th principle: giving in faith.

Give in Faith

Faith is the most crucial element is giving joyfully – do you really believe the promises of reward for givers? If you know for a fact that some stock is about to double in value, then you’re excited to invest as much as you can in it. But if you’re not sure whether it will go up or down, then it’s scary to invest any money that you can’t afford to lose. So when it comes to giving to God, it’s all a question of how confident you are that you will come out ahead. If you’re 100% certain that you’ll come away better off, then you’ll be excited and joyful about giving. If you’re not so sure you’ll be better off, you’ll be apprehensive. If you feel like you will be impoverished by giving a lot, then you’ll be reluctant. If you feel like you’ll be enriched by giving a lot, then you’ll be excited.

God Gives to Givers

The Responsiveness of God’s Heart

So what it really boils down to how you think about God. Take a look at v.19 for a second, and notice how Paul refers to God.

19 And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.

Why does Paul say my God? He’s appealing to his personal knowledge of God from past experience. “Thank you for sending this expression of your love and this partnership in my ministry, which is pleasing, acceptable worship. I know it was a sacrifice, but listen, I know my God. If I know my God at all, and I do, then I can tell you without equivocation – he’s going to lavishly meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. That’s just what he’s like.” Because you are connected to his Son, Christ Jesus, there is no way he’s going to scrimp in taking care of you.

This is more than just saying, “People who are generous tend to do well financially” as a general observation of the way life tends to go. It’s not just about natural, built-in benefits that come from being generous. It has to do with the way God responds. God is a person, with emotions, and he responds to acts of love and faith and obedience and worship. And God’s personality type is such that his response to those things is effusive. That’s just the kind of person he is.