The Philippians' Giving

Introduction

Today is my fifth and last talk from Philippians. In the passage we’re looking at, Paul reflects on the Philippians’ support for him. He has some slightly complicated things to say, along the lines of, ‘I didn’t actually need your gifts, but I’m rejoicing that you gave them’!

I’m going to look at some characteristics of the Philippians’ giving and see what we can learn from them.

Paul mentions the Philippians’ giving in a couple of places in his letter to the Philippians and also in some of his other letters. So, I’m going to scoot around a bit. But our main focus will be the passage Rosemary read for us, Philippians 4:10-20.

1. The Philippians gave REALLY GENEROUSLY

To make this point we need to go to another passage.

Philippi is in Greece, and specifically, Macedonia. It was the first big city which Paul and his companions came to when they crossed to Europe, and it was here where Paul first founded a church in Europe. Later Paul founded at least two other churches in Macedonia – one in a place called Berea, and one in Thessalonica.

You need to know that because Paul talks about the churches in Macedonia several times and the church in Philippi was one of them.

Listen to Paul’s description of the Macedonian churches’ giving:

‘We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, 2 for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. 3 For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, 4 begging us earnestly for the favour of taking part in the relief of the saints’ [2 Corinthians 8:1-5].

What do you think of that?! The Macedonian churches’ giving was on another level! Facing severe affliction and extreme poverty, they gave according to their means, and beyond it.

The Macedonian Christians were the New Testament church’s equivalent of the widow who put two small copper coins – all she had to live on – into the temple treasury, or Mary of Bethany who poured out a jar of pure nard on Jesus’ feet. The nard was worth, in today’s terms, about £30,000.

When we give, we may think, ‘Oh, no, we have to give 10%! Well, let’s do it and put a tick in that box.’

That is NOT how the Macedonian Christians gave. There was no sense that they would just give 10%, or give grudgingly. The Macedonian Christians’ generosity and attitude seriously challenge me!

2. The Philippians gave to MINISTRY RATHER THAN NEED

At the beginning of his letter, Paul writes, ‘I thank my God in all my remembrance of you … because of your partnership IN THE GOSPEL from the first day until now’ [1:3,5].

The Philippians didn’t send Paul money to buy food. They wanted to support his MINISTRY in proclaiming the gospel.

This is also a challenge to me. I tend to hear of a pressing need and then give. There are any number of people around the world suffering from famines and wars and natural disasters. We SHOULD help such people and I believe we should especially help our Christian brothers and sisters. But the Macedonian Christians’ giving for the gospel reminds us that the gospel is REALLY, REALLY important. The gospel gives eternal life. Food and medicine don’t do that.

We should take note of the Macedonian Christians’ example and make sure that at least some of our giving goes to support gospel ministry.

3. The Philippians saw their giving as PARTNERSHIP

I just mentioned what Paul wrote at the beginning of his letter: ‘I thank my God in all my remembrance of you … because of YOUR PARTNERSHIP in the gospel from the first day until now’ [1:3,5].

Paul saw the Philippians’ giving as a form of PARTNERSHIP.

My father was a solicitor and a partner in the firm he was in. As a partner he liaised closely with the other partners and they made decisions together. If Paul says the Philippians were in partnership with him it means they were working together. Paul had a role to play in going out and preaching. The Philippians had a role to play in supporting him.

The partnership went beyond sending money. For example, we know that the Philippians also prayed for Paul.

Giving can build relationships with people. When we give to people it’s a statement that we care about them. It then opens doors for us to ask how they are doing and pray for them or send them a letter of encouragement.

Let’s follow the Philippians’ example in this. Let us see our giving as an expression of a bigger goal and look for ways in which our giving can grow into partnership.