The Joy Of Giving Series

Philippians is considered the epistle of joy. That is because there are so many references to joy and rejoicing (over 15). There are so many references that are so prominent that Joy is considered the theme of the letter. Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice. (Philippians 4:4)

The context of this passage is one of those joy references. Paul rejoiced greatly because of the gift all God’s holy people in Christ at Philippi gave to him. The point to note is that Paul is rejoicing greatly not because he needed the money or because he received money. He is content in Christ with or without their gift. He is rejoicing because of what giving does in the life of the giver.

Maybe if you think back, you can remember when someone gave you a gift that really blessed you. I recently have been thinking back on different occasions when I was blessed by a gift. In Philippians 4:14-19 Paul says that he was blessed by a gift. In this case he is rejoicing because of the spiritual blessing to the giver. When you receive your next gift, you can rejoice in the work God is doing in the giver.

The book of Philippians is, to a large extent, a thank you note from Paul to the church for their financial gift. How much they gave to Paul we don’t know. But Paul expresses something very encouraging about giving. It is not only the one who receives the gift who is blessed, but the ones who gives the gift are greatly blessed.

The matter of giving and receiving

Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. 15Moreover, 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; (Philippians 4:14-15)

The Philippians shared with Paul to relieve his suffering. This church had considerations for Paul’s needs. Starting with verse 14 Paul builds on his words he shared about contentment. He is content without the gift, yet the gift still meant a great deal to him.

God is pleased and blesses and provides for the giver. In this passage Paul tells of his profound thanks. It is so amazing because Philippians is one of the poorest churches in the New Testament, but they were one of the greatest giving churches.

The church gave materially to Paul, but they received spiritually from the Lord. The Philippians were the one who received the greater blessing. Philippians is the epistle of joy, and this joy is connected to them being a giving people. Joy and giving go hand in hand.

Giving to meet needs.

for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid again and again when I was in need. (Philippians 4:16)

Thessalonica is considered the place were Paul established the church in the least amount of time. Yet, despite his work there being so short, somehow the Philippians gave to him again and again when he was there. Paul valued the gift, but his greatest joy was how it blessed them before God. This is encouraging when I think of all the people who have given me gifts. That God will bless them.

There is such a joy in giving, a freedom and a blessing. Giving is a barometer of your spiritual condition. Paul’s words remind us of what Paul said in his farewell sermon to the leaders of Ephesus when he Remembered the words of the Lord Jesus himself: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” (Acts 20:35)

In his book The Journey Home: Finishing With Joy Bill Bright expressed this joy of giving well and the stewardship we have. Here is the statement about the book as found on Amazon:

"I have been asked if I have any last words before God calls me to a new assignment, and I do" Bill Bright said months before his death. At the time, facing an incurable disease, pulmonary fibrosis, his initial response was, "Thank you, Lord." His doctor believed he was in denial, but Bright's determination to declare the faithfulness and sovereignty of God for the rest of his days remained firm. His preparation for leaving this earth is chronicled in this surprisingly optimistic, encouraging book. Despite great suffering, Dr. Bright displayed unflinching courage and wrestled along with readers over troubling questions and intensifying his gaze on eternity. And as he experienced the nearness of death, Bright was able to write with unswerving confidence, "Four realities are more clear than ever: God is real, His promises are true, life is an exciting though brief adventure, and heaven is our home." (from The Journey Home: Finishing With Joy Bill Bright)