STANDING TALL:
WILL I HAVE ENOUGH?
Philippians 4: 10-20
S: Courage
Th: Financial Insecurity
Pr: WHEN YOU FEAR YOU DON’T HAVE ENOUGH, REMEMBER THAT YOU DO.
?: How? How do we remember this?
KW: Lessons
TS: We will find in our study of Philippians 4:10-20 three lessons that we must learn in order to know that we have enough.
The _____ lesson we must learn is to be…
I. CONTENT (10-12)
II. DEPENDENT (13)
III. BENEVOLENT (14-20)
Version: ESV
RMBC 09 November 03 AM
INTRODUCTION:
1. Do you think that money talks?
ILL Notebook: Money (The Catholic Service)
There was a farmer named Muldoon who lived alone in the countryside with a pet dog which he loved and doted on. After many long years of companionship, the dog finally died so Muldoon went to the parish priest:
“Father, my dear old dog is dead. Could you be saying a mass for the creature?”
Father Patrick replied, “I am so very sorry to hear about your dog’s death. But, unfortunately we cannot have services for an animal in the church. However, there’s a new Baptist church down the road, no telling what they believe, but maybe they’ll do something for the animal.”
Muldoon said, “I’ll go right now. Do you think $500 is enough to donate for the service?”
To which Father Patrick replied, “Why didn’t you tell me the dog was Catholic?!”
Do you think money was a factor in that change?
Well…
2. We must understand the influence money has.
We all use it.
We all need it.
Everyone thinks money is important.
And when we don’t have what we perceive to be enough of it, we tend to panic.
TRANSITION:
Today, we are continuing our series called “Standing Tall.”
Now I know that some of you want to make comments about this theme, but behave yourselves.
We all know that it is a challenge to stand tall when you are of smaller stature.
Nevertheless, we are speaking, of course, about standing up to certain fears that we face from time to time.
Today’s topic is financial insecurity.
For example…
1. Have you ever had too much month at the end of the money?
No matter how you tried to stretch it, you just didn’t make it.
Your expenses outpaced your income.
When this happens, it is very frustrating.
We know we cannot keep that kind of pattern going for long.
I am sure though that…
2. Many of us really fear not having enough money.
Perhaps you are facing a financial crisis today.
You are struggling to keep up with the monthly bills.
The rising fuel costs are getting you.
The credit card charges are mounting.
Medical prescription costs have become outrageous.
And though the financial market has been better of late, it is going to be a long time to recoup what you have lost.
It is easy to feel discouraged when it comes to our finances.
We are concerned that we have enough for our present circumstances.
And if we are looking ahead, we are also worried about whether we have enough tucked away for the future.
We are living with a lot of “what ifs”.
It is here that I want to remind us of this important fact…
3. WHEN YOU FEAR YOU DON’T HAVE ENOUGH, REMEMBER THAT YOU DO.
Maybe you are thinking that it is easy to say that, but it is not so easy to live.
Well, give me the opportunity to explain.
For…
4. We will find in our study of Philippians 4:10-20 three lessons that we must learn in order to know that we have enough.
OUR STUDY:
I. The first lesson we must learn is to be CONTENT (10-12).
The apostle Paul writes…
[10] I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. [11] Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. [12] I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.
1. What is more difficult: times of prosperity or times of scarcity?
Now, if you are living on hot dogs and macaroni and cheese, I know what your answer is.
You are getting tired of eating the same thing everyday.
So you will go with scarcity.
And this makes sense.
When we are in true times of scarcity, it is physically difficult.
It is interesting though, to note what the Puritans thought in this area.
The Puritans said that the lean times were a trial by fire.
But the times of prosperity were a even more difficult trial.
Why?
Because, when you are broke, you really want the Lord’s help.
But when you have a lot of money, you would prefer that the Lord keep his nose out of your finances.
As we have read through these first few verses written by the apostle Paul, I think we discover this truth…
2. Contentment has little to do with how much you have.
Paul was writing from a prison cell.
He had limited freedom.
He had been bad-mouthed by others.
And as he writes this letter to the Philippians, he has a real sense that he is going to die in Rome.
So what is his testimony?
If he was living today, it would go something like this…
“Give me a BMW or no car at all; a one-thousand dollar tailored suit or a pair of jeans; a suite in Manhattan or a single bed in a homeless shelter; I can handle it. Whatever the case may be, I can be perfectly content.”
We, on the other hand think…
What?
No new SUV…
No satellite TV with 500 stations…
No addition on the back of the house…
I just couldn’t do it!
I couldn’t be happy!
ILL Notebook: Contentment (cancel the sale)
Mr. Weaver decided it was time to buy a new house, so he decided to sell his old house and put the matter in a real estate agent’s hands. The agent wrote up a sales blurb for the house that made wonderful reading.
After Weaver read it, he turned to the agent and asked, "Does my house have everything your ad says it does?"
The agent said, "It certainly does. Why do you ask?"
Weaver replied, "Cancel the sale. It’s exactly what I’m looking for."
If we are going to eliminate our financial insecurities, we must appreciate what we already have.
We must appreciate what we have been given.
So, learn to be content.
II. The second lesson we must learn is to be DEPENDENT (13).
[13] I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
You know…
1. Our most valuable resource is not found in our portfolio.
This may be a stunning revelation!
If you are a believer today, your contentment should be based on what you have…on what you have already.
And what is that?
It is “Him who strengthens me.”
It is Jesus!
Our peace is found in the Prince of Peace.
Our peace is not found in our portfolio.
It is Jesus alone that is our strength.
It is Jesus alone that is our hope.
It is Jesus alone that is our life.
So, this being true, if we are going to get past our financial insecurities, we must learn to be dependent on Him.
He gives us the ability, the strength, the power to be content no matter what situation we face.
ILL Notebook: Dependence (I’ll do it myself)
On November 20, 1988, the Los Angeles Times reported, "A screaming woman trapped in a car dangling from a freeway transition road in East Los Angeles was rescued Saturday morning. The 19-year-old woman apparently fell asleep behind the wheel about 12:15 A.M. The car, which plunged through a guardrail, was left dangling by its left rear wheel. A half dozen passing motorists stopped, grabbed some ropes from one of their vehicles, tied the ropes to the back of the woman’s car, and hung on until the fire units arrived. A ladder was extended from below to help stabilize the car while firefighters tied the vehicle to tow trucks with cables and chains. ’Every time we would move the car,’ said one of the rescuers, ’she’d yell and scream. She was in pain.’
The article went on to say…
"It took almost 2 1/2 hours for the passers-by, CHP officers, tow truck drivers, and firefighters - about 25 people in all - to secure the car and pull the woman to safety. ’It was kinda funny,’ L.A. County Fire Capt. Ross Marshall recalled later. ’She kept saying, "I’ll do it myself."’"
You know there are times when self-sufficiency goes too far.
It is, after all, to our advantage to learn dependence.
You see…
2. When we recognize our insufficiency, our potential soars.
For the apostle Paul, the Kingdom of God was the priority.
He was a soldier under the command of Christ.
And so, he gave himself wholeheartedly to the cause.
In so doing, he changed the world.
He learned that whatever God required of him, God supplied the strength and the wherewithal to make it happen.
III. The third lesson we must learn is to be BENEVOLENT (14-20).
ILL Notebook: Generosity (Cell phone)
Several men in the locker room of a private exercise club were talking when a cell phone laying on the bench rang. One man picked it up without hesitation, and the following conversation ensued:
"Hello?"
"Honey, It’s me."
"Sugar!"
"I’m at the mall two blocks from the club. I saw a beautiful mink coat. It is absolutely gorgeous! Can I buy it? It’s only $1,500."
"Well, okay, if you like it that much."
"Thanks! Oh, and I also stopped by the Mercedes dealership and saw the new models. I saw one I really liked. I spoke with the salesman, and he gave me a great price."
"How much?"
"Only $60,000!"
"Okay, but for that price I want it with all the options."
"Great! Before we hang up, there’s something else. It might seem like a lot, but, well, I stopped by to see the real estate agent this morning, and I saw the house we had looked at last year. It’s on sale! Remember? The beachfront property with the pool and the English garden?"
"How much are they asking?"
"Only $450,000, a magnificent price, and we have that much in the bank to cover it."
"Well then, go ahead and buy it, but put in a bid for only $420,000, okay?"
"Okay, sweetie. Thanks! I’ll see you later! I love you!"
"I love you, too."
The man hung up, closed the phone’s flap, and raised it aloft, asking, "Does anyone know who this cell phone belongs to?"
Have you ever discovered that it is really easy to be generous with someone else’s money?
Well, Paul points to the example of the Philippians regarding this subject…
[14] Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble. [15] And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. [16] Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again. [17] Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit. [18] I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. [19] And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. [20] To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.
1. We must demonstrate that money is not our master (cf. Matthew 6:24).
Again, let us note the context of this letter.
Paul was in prison.
And he is writing in response to a gift he has received from the church in Philippi.
He has regarded it as a true sacrifice.
They have given out of their lack, not abundance.
So here is a lesson we must learn if we are to get past our financial insecurities.
Whenever it is in our power to do so, we should not be stingy.
Whether we are speaking of salaries, tips, or contributing to the Lord’s work, it is important for us to be generous.
It is important for us to have the open hand.
It is important that we know how to and practice letting go.
You see, in God’s economy, in God’s way of doing things, the way to overcome financial insecurity is to be bighearted.
Because God is so good, we must respond.
We must respond with worship.
We must worship with an acceptable sacrifice.
We must give because it is an act of trust.
We give generously because it helps us grow in our humility and helps us find balance regarding our priorities.
It is a test about whom we really serve.
You see, God needs to know whom you serve.
More importantly, you need to know whom you serve.
But if you are struggling with this concept…
You doubt your ability to give, end even more so, to give generously, hear this promise…
2. God will never let us down.
To the Philippians Paul says, “Your account is being built up.”
Where it really counts, in the heavenly accounts, they were making tremendous and eternal progress.
And in the process, God was meeting their every need.
God meets our needs, and very often beyond that (for which we should be very grateful!).
You see, God blesses generosity.
It is that simple.
And believe me, the reverse us true as well.
He does not bless stinginess.
So remember, God doesn’t need Wall Street’s help to take care of you.
God is bigger than Dow Jones and He is mightier than the blue chip.
He meets the needs of those He loves and are committed to Him regardless of what the economy does.
APPLICATION:
So let me make this simple, but significant statement…
If you have Jesus, you have enough.
Jesus is our most valuable asset.
Everything else is rubble in comparison.
Everything!
Over and over again in Scripture, we are told to “Fear not.”
Why?
Because we are afraid and we don’t have to be.
We don’t have to be afraid about our finances.
We don’t have to feel financially insecure.
For we can be content.
We are dependent on Him.
And we can act on this contentment and dependence by being generous.
So, when you fear you don’t have enough, remember that you do when you have Jesus.
BENEDICTION: [Counselors are ]
Be content…no matter what your circumstances, whether you are full or whether you are empty; realize that God is with you and it is enough.
Be dependent…we are not going to make it alone, we are not designed that way, we are designed to find strength and power in our relationship with the Lord.
Be benevolent…be generous, because God blesses generosity, it is that simple; do not be afraid, for you have enough when you have Jesus.
Now…
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
