I Gave At The Office
Philippians 4:10-23
I have on the platform today some items that will help us with today’s topic. When you see this red bucket, what do you think of? You probably think of someone standing outside a store during the Christmas season ringing a bell. What does that person want you to do in response to the bell and the bucket?
He wants you to give some money to this particular charity. Here are some other symbols of giving in our society…
When you think about giving or being generous or charitable, what other symbols or people or thoughts come to your mind?
Televangelists Telethon (Jerry Lewis, PBS) Telemarketers
March of Dimes Relay for Life Sally Struthers Shriners School fundraisers Kidney Foundation
How many of you, when you know that someone is going to ask you or expect you to give, get really excited and can’t wait to give away your money and maybe you even laugh out loud because you get such a thrill out of putting money in a bucket or a boot?
How many of you have children who get excited about throwing money in a bucket or a fountain or a fireman’s boot? Children love it don’t they? But as adults who have to earn the money, we are not always thrilled about someone asking us to part with it.
Do you ever devise strategies to help you get past the person asking for money? If someone else is giving or talking to the Salvation Army person, do you try to hurry past while they’re distracted? Do you try not to make eye contact? Do you try to not come to a complete stop when you get close to the fireman of the shriner in the intersection? How about this line, “I’ll donate on my way out”?
Today we are going to finish a series that we’ve been calling “Prescription for Joy.” This study has taken us through the book of Philippians and hopefully helped us all better understand how to live a life of real joy. Today we are going to begin in Philippians 4:10.
We are going to finish this series by looking at the joy that comes when we are generous givers, and I know that many of you wish we would not talk about money in the church, but unless you live a life of generosity you will not have the joy that God wants you to have in your life.
Charles Dickens did a superb job of illustrating the results of being a selfish, miserly person. All of the traits of joyless living are embodied in the character Ebenezer Scrooge. His stinginess caused him to miss the truly important things in life and robbed him of all the joy he might have known. The same can happen to us. Though we spend most of our lives thinking about the joy that money can bring when we get it, the greatest joy of money is when we give it away for a greater purpose.
That is why the Bible teaches that “it is better to give than to receive.” When we develop an attitude and pattern of generosity, we will know more joy in our lives.
Let’s read Paul’s thoughts on giving in Philippians 4:10…
Paul wanted to thank the Philippian people for their generous giving, and as he he mentions a problem that the people had. The problem was a lack of opportunity.
We don’t exactly know what this means, but I’ll give you a few possibilities. Their lack of opportunity could have been that they didn’t know where Paul was for awhile. They wanted to support him and help him financially, but they weren’t sure where he was. Or it may have been that they just didn’t have a way to get the gift to Paul. There was no one to take it to him.
We know that the Christians were not wealthy, as a matter of fact they were often living in poverty, so it may have been that they didn’t have the financial means to give a gift to Paul. Whatever the reason, Paul simply says that they lacked the opportunity.
Now, I want to say that we don’t lack the opportunity. We are not at a loss for good causes. I have mentioned a few this morning and you could mention even more I’m sure. As a matter of fact, we have just the opposite problem. One person or one family couldn’t possibly give financially to every worthy cause, and by saying that we should be generous I am not implying that you or I can give to every person or organization or cause that asks us for money. I am simply saying that a generous attitude leads to joy and you and I have many opportunities to be generous.
Also, unlike the people of Philippi, we’re not at a loss for how to get money to these good causes. Although we should be very careful about the programs that we support financially, there are legitimate ways for donating to worthy causes and ways to hold organizations accountable for financial integrity.
We also don’t lack opportunity because of poverty. I know that many are suffering as a result of the economic conditions, but none of us have experienced the kind of poverty that the early Christians experienced. Of course we can’t all give the same, but we can all be generous givers in life by being faithful with what we have.
No we face a different problem from the one the people of Philippi faced. Here is the problem we face: In our society contentment is not the norm. Contentment is a problem for us because we live in a discontented society. In our culture enough is never enough. Everyone wants just a little bit more.
But Paul writes, “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.” And then he lists some of the circumstances that he’s found himself in. “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.”
Living in a discontented culture, where everyone wants more, we need to understand two things about the contentment that Paul had. 1. Contentment must be learned. Paul said that he had “learned to be content” and he had “learned the secret of being content.” This suggests that there was a time when he was not so content, but over time he learned to be that way.
We too, must learn to be content. If you have a difficult time being content, and we all do at times, I have good news. You can learn the skill or the discipline of contentment. It is a learned attitude or skill.
Paul suggests that it is sometimes difficult to learn. It is not always easy to learn to be content. The phrase “I have learned the secret” is found no where else in the Bible and was used to describe an initiation process. If you’ve ever been through an initiation process with a fraternity or sorority or a club or some other group, there was probably a part of the initiation that wasn’t easy. There was some testing you had to go through to become a part of the group. It was your initiation.
That is the idea of this phrase. Learning to be content is sometimes a difficult task. We have to fight against the lifestyles of friends or acquaintances. We have to think differently from the marketing and advertising we are exposed to. There is possibly some self denial and delayed gratification that is a part of the process. It’s not always a fun process, but the reward is that it leads to a life of greater contentment which allows us to live with more joy.
If you struggle with being generous or struggle with contentment, perhaps you need to go through the initiation and learning stage. It may mean that you freeze your spending on certain items for awhile. It may mean that you downsize in some area of your life. It may mean that you give some money away to a charity or a person in need or your church or a missionary.
Perhaps the initiation is an economic downturn in your life. I know that many people are feeling the crunch of the economy, and I would never be insensitive about that. But perhaps, God wants to use this testing time in your life to teach you to be content whether you have plenty or are in need, well fed or hungry, living in plenty or in want.
If you’re not living a life of contentment, you need to begin to learn this valuable skill. It may not be easy or fun, but it will mean greater joy in your life in the long run.
2. Contentment is a sign of maturity
To learn something new is to grow or mature. When we learn to be content it is a sign that we are maturing as a person and as a follower of Christ. It is not the materialistic person who is mature. It is the person who has learned to live with a joyful contentment who is mature.
That does not mean that we don’t ever try to get a promotion or take a better paying job or want to improve the condition of our home. It means that we do not have an insatiable appetite for more possessions or financial gain and that we are able to give generously. That is a sign of maturity.
Paul makes it clear in verse 13 that Christ alone makes this possible. As much as contentment is a learned skill and often involves tests and trials, it is only because Christ lives in us that anyone can live this kind of life. Paul rejects the self sufficiency model of generous living. Instead he encourages us to live the life of generosity that is possible through a relationship with Christ.
Many who live in America would say that it is not possible to live that way, but Paul says anything is possible, even a life of contentment. We quote this verse often but most of the time but fail to realize that it is in a context of giving and contentment it was written. You can be content and you can be a generous giver when Christ lives in you. He gives us the ability to shed the cultural trappings of materialism and greed and live a new life of contentment.
He also teaches that when we give through the church, we share in ministry. The Philippians were a part of Paul’s ministry through their gifts. Everything that God accomplished through Paul, the Philippian people had a hand in. It’s the same way today. When you give through the church, you share in everything good thing that happens at our church.
Every person who comes to Christ, every person who is discipled, every worship service that honors God, every person who receives ministry through our church, you share in that ministry. You are a partner in what God is doing here. In the first chapter of Philippians, Paul talked about the people of Philippi partnering in the gospel with him. This is one important way they did that. They gave generously and by doing so shared in the ministry.
Many of you do that same thing. You faithfully give to the ministry here at Rockdale and I want to thank you because you are sharing in the kingdom work that is taking place at our church. Right now we are collecting the Annie Armstrong Easter offering which goes to support mission work in North America. You can share in the planting of new churches and ministry in tourist areas and disaster relief programs by giving to this special offering.
I mentioned several wonderful charities this morning, and I think it is good for us to support the work of these and other charities. Part of becoming a generous giver is being willing to give to organizations like this. But you share in ministry when you give to kingdom work through the church where you worship. They are all fine and wonderful groups, but when you give to the church you are sharing in the eternal work of God in ministry.
Then in verse 13 Paul says, “Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early day sof 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.” You see, the generous giver gives whether anyone else does or not.
The decision to be a generous giver is an individual one. Your friends even in the church may not give generously to the work of the kingdom. Other people in your family may not understand why you give to the kingdom, but this is a decision you have to make. What is God telling you about becoming a generous giver?
No one else gave but the church at Philippi continued to give. They weren’t rich and they probably couldn’t give a lot, but they were determined to share in the ministry by giving. What about you? Are you experiencing the joy that comes when you are a giver? Are you determined to share in the ministry by giving?
Listen, money can have a dangerous hold on us when we try to keep it all to ourselves. We break that hold when we are able to generously give to others, to worthwhile causes, and to the church. Give whether anyone else does or not.
Then Paul tells us that there was a pattern to their giving. He writes, “for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid again and again when I was in need.” The Philippians were not one time givers. They had a habit of giving. It was a practice in their lives.
And so with us, Giving should be a normal and continual part of our lives.
Everyone here has felt the joy of giving. Whether it was a few dollars or thousands of dollars, we have all given to a cause or a needy family and felt the joy that comes from that simple act. Especially at Christmas, people are open to donating and giving to charitable organizations.
God wants the act of giving and the joy that comes from it to be a constant part of your life not just a sporadic event. Our lives should involve giving on a regular basis.
This is one of the reasons I teach the principle of tithing as the place to begin when giving to the church. Tithing is giving 1/10th of your income to the kingdom of God through the church that you belong to. I think it is a valuable starting place because it helps us develop the habit of continual giving. It builds a constant practice of worshipping God through giving, and if you’ve never tried it, I encourage you to give it a try. It’s a great place to start.
Notice what Paul writes in verse 17, “Not that I am looking for a gift, but I am looking for what may be credited to your account.” Giving should be encouraged because it is what is best for the giver. Here is Paul’s perspective. He thanks the Philippian people for their giving and at times asks them to give, not so he can have more money, but because he knows that both in this life and the next, the givers get great benefit from giving.
We benefit from giving because we become more generous and therefore have more joy. We benefit because money no longer has us in its grip. We benefit because we are being obedient in sharing in ministry for which we will be rewarded in this life and the next. There are great benefits for the giver and that is what Paul is trying to say.
Now, that is looked upon with some skepticism in the world today. One of the reasons of course is the scandals that have rocked the church, especially as a result of televangelists. Money and greed and materialism are powerful things even to pastors and many pastors have become their victim. But that doesn’t change the truth of this verse. The giver is the one who benefits the most not the church or the pastor or the ministry or the recipient of the gift.
Just so you know, I do not get paid more if you give more. Our church doesn’t work that way. I don’t get a commission or a percentage. We have a budget that is adopted by our church every year. I’m not talking about giving so my paycheck will go up. I’m talking about giving because I know that being a generous person is really the best thing for all of us.
Having said that I will also admit money is necessary for ministry. Paul asked for money because it was necessary to continue ministry. In verse 18 he says, “I have received full payment and even more; I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent.”
Paul had a financial need for the ministry. When he received the gift then he had what he needed for the ministry. It takes money to sustain ministry, and that is easy to understand. Buildings can’t be maintained without money. Staff can’t be hired and supported without money. Supplies can’t be ordered without money. Debt can’t be paid off without money. This isn’t rocket science. It takes money to operate a church.
But I also know this, when God’s people are faithful to give, God will supply more than enough. Paul said he was “amply supplied” and had “even more” than was needed. The people were faithful and God made their gifts more than Paul needed to do ministry.
If we would give as God wants us to give, we could do anything we wanted in ministry at Rockdale. We could fund any ministry, hire whatever staff, build any buildings. God would make it more than enough if we gave obediently.
You see, God already has the perfect plan for funding ministry here on earth, and when His people are faithful and obedient, it is more than enough to meet the financial needs of the church.
Then, speaking of the financial gifts that the people sent he writes, “They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God.” Giving is an act of worship.
When we give to the ministry of the church our gifts are an offering to God. You are not primarily giving to Rockdale or to the pastor or to the staff. You are giving an offering of worship that Paul says is “pleasing to God.”
And I know if you are here and you’ve never tried this kind of generous giving this all sounds like church talk or televangelist talk, but it is really what the Bible teaches and what many of us have found to be true.
Paul closes out this section by saying, “And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” We can faithfully give because God promises to meet our needs. Some of you are thinking there is no way that you can afford to be a generous giver. According to this verse you can.
God has promised to meet the needs of our lives when we are generous. We quote this verse a lot, but we sometimes fail to realize that it was given in the context of our giving to God. Because the people were obedient to give a financial offering to the kingdom Paul could confidently say that God would then work on their behalf to meet the needs of their lives.
I decided a long time ago that God could meet my needs a lot better than I can, and because I want Him working on behalf of my finances, I have committed to be a giver. Now I always feel the need to offer a disclaimer. I do not believe that God will make you a millionaire just because you tithe. He might, and I hope He does, but that is not the norm.
The Bible does not teach that giving to the church is the way to get rich or get a new car or a new home. Anyone who tells you that is dishonest and hasn’t read the Bible. I saw a televangelist last week claim that God had given him a vision for real estate. God wants his people to own lots of real estate, and if you get his miracle spring water and sprinkle it on the four corners of your dream house, God will give it to you.
Listen, God is not a cosmic real estate agent. If you give $100 to our church, God may not give you $1,000 next week. The truth is you may just have to live on $100 less, but God will meet your needs and supply you with joy and contentment.
Paul tells us that our needs will be supplied according to the riches that are ‘in Christ Jesus.” In verse 21 he writes, “Greet all the saints in Christ Jesus.” This is a phrase that has appeared throughout this book. “In Christ Jesus,” “In the Lord Jesus,” “In the Lord” are some of the ways Paul has said it.
It reminds us that the essence of a Godly life is not what we do with our money even though that is important and can help us live lives of contentment and joy. The essence of a Godly life is not even joy even though that is so important we have spent 10 weeks studying the topic of joy.
No, the essence of a Godly life is to be in Christ Jesus. Maybe you’re struggling with this idea of money. Maybe you aren’t too fond of me because I’ve brought it up. Maybe you see me as just another preacher asking for money. I’m really not primarily concerned about your money. I’m mostly concerned about you being “in Christ Jesus.”
The Bible tells us that we can know Christ and be a part of God’s family by recognizing that we have disobeyed God in our lives and are separated from His love. And then believing that God’s Son, Jesus Christ died on a cross so that our sins could be forgiven and three days later rose again.
He did that because He loves you. If you have never given your heart to Him and invited Christ into your life, you can do that today. When we stand and sing, come to one of our pastors and let us share with you how to be “in Christ Jesus.”
If you Christ is your Savior, maybe God wants to deal with you on this area of joy and contentment. If you’re not the generous giver that God wants you to be, come today and make a commitment to developing a life and attitude of generosity.
