THE OCCASION FOR WRITING PHILIPANS
The partnership between the minister and the church is one of the main themes in the Epistle to the Philippians. Paul writes this letter in order to express his gratitude to the members of the church in Philippi for the financial support they have sent to him. From Philippians 2:25-30 we understand that the courier who brought their gift, and on his way back to Philippi took Paul’s thanksgiving letter to the Philippians was Epaphroditus.
25 But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs. 26 For he longs for all of you and is distressed because you heard he was ill. 27 Indeed he was ill, and almost died. But God had mercy on him, and not on him only but also on me, to spare me sorrow upon sorrow. 28 Therefore I am all the more eager to send him, so that when you see him again you may be glad and I may have less anxiety. 29 Welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor men like him, 30 because he almost died for the work of Christ, risking his life to make up for the help you could not give me.
We do not know the exact circumstances around Epaphroditus’ illness, but we know that in order to come and minister to Paul, Epaphroditus got sick and put at risk even his own life. This shows how important for him was to be partner with God’s servant Paul.
In Philippians 4:10-19 Paul is even more outspoken.
10 I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 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. 13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength. 14 Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles.
Paul is a man of tact. From one side he thanks them for their gift. In the same time he is careful not to touch them on the matter that they could take care of him even earlier. And thirdly he is careful with his tongue lest he thanks them in such a way that his gratitude would be misinterpreted as mendicancy for more. At the same time he encourages Philippians fixing their focus on Jesus.
THE SECRET OF CONTENTMENT
It is very important for us to know the secret of contentment because very often the main obstacle to being partners with God’s servants is that we are afraid that if we support them we will lose the opportunity to live the luxurious life we see on TV commercials. But listen to Apostle Paul. In vs.11 he says:
11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 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. 13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
The secret of happiness doesn’t rest in material possessions. It is found in Jesus and the abundant life that only He can give us. One of our songs that might have been inspired by this text says:
I am content, even though I have no hut
My trust is not in money neither is my hope in gold
But there is prepared for me in heaven
Home from pearls and gold walls
I am not afraid that there is no rest
That I am poor, alone, and without any support,
But I am pilgrim, traveling upward
There my hut shines in gold.
The contentment is very important in Christian life. It does not mean conciliatoriness in the face of want and insufficiency, but an attitude of thankfulness and life without murmuring and grumbling. God hates murmuring. He brought the Israelites out of Egypt and he fed them with manna in the desert, but they were discontent with it and wanted quails. Aren’t we like them very often? God gives us what is necessary for our lives, but we are discontent with it - we want something more - we want "quails". But we should remember that because of their voracity many of the Israelites perished! And if we do not want to have the same destiny, we must be thankful. Thankfulness is the antidote against murmuring (Philippians 4:12-13).
12 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. 13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
POOR PEOPLE RICH IN GENEROCITY
The believers in Philippi were especially dear to Paul because they were the only church that systematically supported his ministry (Philippians 4:15-16).
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.
Notice what Paul says in vs. 17:
17 Not that I am looking for a gift, but I am looking for what may be credited to your account.
For what credit he is talking about? I believe that this is the credit and the fruit of sharing the gospel that Paul did through their partnership. This activity resulted in salvation of human souls. And the apostle is also talking about the reward that is prepared in heaven for their faithfulness. Although they were not rich in money the Philippians were rich in their generosity. In 2 Corinthians 8:1-5 Paul boasts with them in front of the Corinthians:
1 And now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. 2 Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. 3 For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, 4 they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints.
Notice that the Philippians were generous not only in their giving for the missions and in particular to Apostle Paul. With great desire they also participated in the fund rising for their poor brothers from the church in Jerusalem. The believers in Philippi are a great example to us, because they show us that the matter of giving is not a matter of having, but a matter of generosity. Their "extreme poverty" was not an excuse for them to keep what they have for themselves. On the contrary, Apostle Paul testifies about them that by the grace of God they gave "even beyond their ability". That’s why I am not surprised that God really fulfilled for them Paul’s blessing that "God will meet all their needs" (Philippians 4:19).
THE TRUE CHARACTER OF GIVING
The support for the poor churches and partnership with the ministers of the Gospel is not just giving of money. It is spiritual sacrifice, most pleasing aroma-offering to the Lord (Philippians 4:18).
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.
At the end Apostle Paul bless them for their gesture of love (Philippians 4:19):
19 And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
Many people may say to us that they love us, but those who really love us are those who do not just say it but show it through their support and care for us.
MY BRETHREN DEARLY BELOVED AND LONGED FOR, MY JOY AND CROWN
Now, that we know all this - the nature of the relationship between the Apostle Paul and the Philippians - a connection of "giving and receiving" as vs.15 states it, we can understand why out of all the churches he knows he calls only them "my brothers, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown" (Philippians 4:1). What a beautiful address! And it was deserved. I also know some people from our church as well as from other places to who I can say the same excellent words. These are the people who tithe regularly, people who sacrifice for our church building. And this is wonderful.
WHAT IS "PARTNERSHIP" IN THE GOSPEL?
Now, when we know the occasion for writing the Letter to the Philippians and what was the relationship between the Apostle Paul and them, we can better understand its beginning. Paul starts his letter with outburst of gratitude (Philippians 1:3-5):
3 I thank my God every time I remember you. 4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now,
Apostle Paul was giving thanks every time he remembered the Philippians, because the memories he had of them were really marvelous. And these happy memories influenced his prayers. The reason for Paul’s deep feelings toward the Philippians was their "partnership in the gospel" from the first day of their acquaintance. The Greek word for "partnership" in vs. 5 is "koinonia" and means participation or fellowship, and expresses a two-sided relation. How the Philippians participated in the gospel? For about ten years they have supported Paul with their giving. And this started "from the first day" he had preached the gospel in Philippi. From Acts 16 we learn that through his ministry God had founded their church. Literally from that moment on he could enjoy the hospitality of Lydia, and the jailer and his family. In Acts 16:15 Luke describes this in a quite picturesque way:
15 When she and the members of her household were baptized, she invited us to her home. "If you consider me a believer in the Lord," she said, "come and stay at my house." And she persuaded us.
She sounded like she would be offended if they refused her invitation. Eventually, it looked like was she arrested them to be her guests. The hospitality is a very important Christian virtue. And obviously the Philippian jailer was hospital too. (Acts 16:33-34).
33 At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his family were baptized. 34 The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God--he and his whole family.
Later the Philippians sent money to Paul not only in Thessalonica, but also in Corinth (2 Corinthians 11:9):
9 And when I was with you and needed something, I was not a burden to anyone, for the brothers who came from Macedonia supplied what I needed.
This was what Paul remembered every time he gets reminiscent about his experience with the believers in Philippi. He remembered the hospitality of Lydia and the jailer; he remembered the countless times when God had blessed him through them. And he bursts out in thanks to God. Yes, they like all other churches that he had founded prayed for him. But they not just prayed. They were also giving to him and in this way they became partners with his ministry of proclaiming the Gospel among the gentiles. This is encouragement to us - not only to pray for the advancement of the kingdom of God but participate in this advancement through our giving.
DOUBLE ELABORATION - IN SANCTIFICATION AND IN PARTNERSHIP
The main reason for the close relationship between Apostle Paul and Philippians was their common interest in the work of God. The Person who drew them together was their Lord Jesus Christ. So, Paul encourages them in Him.
6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
On one hand these words may be applied to the salvation of the Philippians. He, who has started the "good work" of salvation in them, will complete it and on the last day they will be resurrected in the glory of God. This is the traditional interpretation and it is good. But on the other hand the words "good work" could refer not only to salvation but also to the "partnership" for which the Apostle speaks in the previous verse 5. Yes, salvation is a "good work". But partnership in the gospel which is God’s power for salvation is a "good work", too. The One who in the beginning gave them desire to give will continue to operate in them so that their partnership will be improved in the future "until the day of Christ Jesus". God will save those who have heard the gospel preached by Paul with the participation of the Philippians. So the good work of giving God started in Philippians will be carried on to completion when from a "good work of giving" it will become a "good work of salvation" of those who have heard the gospel spread with the partnership of the Philippians.
HOW TO BE PARTNERS IN THE SPREADING OF THE GOSPEL?
Now, how can we today, in our church participate in spreading the gospel and be partners with the servants of God? We can do this through our tithes, through our offerings, through giving for missions, through supporting of pastor’s family and so on. He who is willing finds the way. He who does not want to help finds excuses. Anyway, we should remember that love gives. In the golden verse of the Bible (John 3:16) it is said that "God so loved the world that he gave…", and he gave the most precious he had - "his one and only Son". If we want to be "children of God", we should be generous like Him.
FROM BURDEN INTO BEATITUDE
At the end of this teaching I would like to say something about tithing. And immediately I should say that tithing is not a precondition to visiting our church. There are people who cease their coming to church with the argument that they can not tithe. But this should not be a stumbling-block. Even though you can not give your tithe, you are welcome among us! The reception here is free!
The tithe is not a law that bounds. We are not saved through what we give; we are saved through what God has given for us. And the giving is a question of personal choice, spiritual growth and love. If it is going to please God the sacrificing should be done voluntarily and with joy. As the apostle Paul says in 2 Corinthians 9:7:
7 Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
Only when we give from inner conviction and not "under compulsion", the giving is conversed from burden into beatitude, and we can experience the blessing of Jesus from Acts 20:35:
`It is more blessed to give than to receive.’
On the other hand, although the tithe is not a bounding law for us, it is spiritual principle. In antiquity the tithe was given by all Israel. And then this was enough not only for support of the priesthood but also for social support of the widows and orphans. Today in contemporary conditions the social services are done by the respective state structures. From our salaries we pay taxes that are compulsory and part of them are given for pensions, maternity, and all other social activities. Our church however is not supported by the state. It is self-supported. And for its existence it needs a large amount of money. It is impossible for a man to raise all that money. But if we all give our tithes - the money that belongs to God - we will be able to collect the needed amount. So, if we want our church to continue to exist and to be lighthouse pointing the Way to salvation for the citizens of Dolno Ezerovo, we have to give. And we have to give with joy, because we know that the resources we give will be used for preaching the gospel and in the sum of it all will result in salvation of immortal human souls. And I am sure that God will not overlook those who have been faithful to Him on the planet Earth but overwhelm them with His glorious reward on the day of Christ Jesus. Amen!
Last updated 10.7.2004
http://www.geocities.com/simeon_krastev/indexen
