HOW TO BE CONTENT
Philippians 4:10-19
November 12, 2006
Broadway Baptist Church
Rev Dan Bauder
INTRODUCTION
Few things get a persons attention quicker than a downward shift in their finances. . Churches are no different. As a church, as long as our expenses are less than our income we are content. However when our expenses begin to exceed our income why is it we begin to loose some of our contentment or worse yet begin to worry? Paul gives us an answer in these verses. We need to remember:
I. CHURCHES GO THRU FINANCIAL CYCLES (Read Phil 4:10)
A. When Paul was in Thessalonica the Philippian church supported him but that was 10 years earlier. (Read Phil 4:15-16)
B. A pastor friend in Rolla lives by what he calls, “out of pocket”. He has a separate envelope for each of his bills. What ever is left over is his “pocket money”. If there is abundance he can do extra things. (Go on short trips, visit relatives ect) If there isn’t, he stays home.
C. Churches depend on tithes and offerings for support.
1. Tithing isn’t an option. When we refuse to tithe we are robbing God. (Read Malachi 3:8)
a. This point was firmly implanted in the heart of a college friend. His dad worked as a lineman for the local electric cop in addition to running a farm and raising cattle. My friend noticed whenever his dad sold some cows or harvested a crop the offering total was higher the next Sunday. His dad showed by example the importance of tithing.
II. IF OUR NEEDS ARE MET WE SHOULD BE CONTENT
A. We need to learn what Paul did (Read Phil 4:11-13)
1. He lived within his means. He was content with what he had
a. To many times we get our wants confused with our needs. When that happens we take what is rightfully God’s to pay for it and the church suffers.
b. If we have a roof over our heads, clothes on our backs, and a way to get where we need to God has kept His end of the bargain.
2. When we give to God He blesses us abundantly (Read Phil 4:16-17)
CONCLUSION
The last verse in our text this morning says, “And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in Glory by Christ Jesus.” (Phil 4:19 NKJ) Let me ask you a question. Is God broke? Defiantly not!!! God has provided a way for His children to be content. All we have to do is take Him at His Word.
