This week, we are looking at a section of a letter in the
New Testament of the Bible called the book of Philippians. Yesterday, in
Philippians 4:10-13, we saw Paul reveal for us the reality that though all of
his experiences, he had come to the realization that it was God who empowered
him to be content in whatever circumstances he found himself in. The reason why
Paul could say that he rejoiced in the Lord greatly in verse ten was because
Paul had come to the realization, through his experiences, that it was his joy
in the Lord that empowered him to be content in any and every circumstance.
It was Paul’s mind-set that
resulted in an attitude of delight in life that took the long view and was not
based, limited, or tied to circumstances that empowered Paul to be content
regardless of circumstances. And it was this joy that resulted in a quality of
life and not a fleeting emotion that empowered Paul to be content regardless of
his circumstances. But not only was Paul’s joy in Jesus empowering him to live
a life of contentment. Today, we see Paul reveal something else that was being
produced in his life as a result of his circumstances in Philippians 4:14-17:
Nevertheless, you have done well to share with me in my affliction. You
yourselves also know, Philippians, that at the first preaching of the gospel,
after I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and
receiving but you alone; for even in Thessalonica you sent a gift more than once for my needs.
Not that I seek the gift itself, but I seek for the profit which increases to
your account.
In verse 14, Paul explains to the members of the church
at Philippi that, while he had come to the realization, through his
experiences, that it was his joy in the Lord that empowered him to be content
in his circumstances, that they had done well to share with me in my
affliction. But what does that mean? Paul provides the answer to that question
in verses 15 and 16 by revealing the reality that the members of the church at
Philippi had been partnering with the Apostle Paul financially as he shared the
claims of Christ and the message of the gospel throughout the known world. The
members of the church at Philippi had remained connected to the progress that
Paul was making on his missionary journeys and was generously contributing to
help fund those missionary journeys.
And while other churches that Paul planted were not
partnering with Paul as he traveled to start new churches, the church at
Philippi was committed to help fund his efforts to start new churches. Even
when Paul was in the nearby city of Thessalonica, the church at Philippi supported
Paul’s efforts to plant a church there. What is so fascinating is that the
church at Philippi was not a wealthy church. On the contrary the church at
Philippi was a poor and persecuted church.
In a section of a letter in the New Testament of the Bible
called the book of 2 Corinthians, Paul explained to the church at Corinth,
which was located in southern Greece, that in spite of the trouble and distress
that the church was experiencing as a result of persecution and exploitation by
the Roman government, the church at Philippi was marked by an unexpected joy.
In spite of their outward circumstances, the church demonstrated an attitude
and mindset of gratitude and gladness.
Paul also stated that the church experienced deep
poverty. What is so interesting is that this phrase, in the language that this
letter was written in, literally means that their poverty was so significant
and extreme that is was difficult to measure. The apostle Paul had a hard time
wrapping his mind around how poor these followers of Jesus were. Yet, in spite
of their extreme poverty and the intense persecution they were facing, the
members of the church at Philippi were extremely rich when it came to their
generosity. The church at Philippi had a ‘no strings attached’ approach when it
came to their goodness and generosity.
However, in Philippians 4:17, Paul explained that he was
not seeking their financial support for his missionary activity just for the
money that it would provide him. Instead, Paul explained “I seek for the profit
which increases to your account.” In other words, Paul was thankful for the
generosity of the members of the church at Philippi because their generosity
and support of him would produce something. Their partnership and generosity in
helping share the claims of Christ and the message of the gospel would result
in a gain that would grow in abundance as they partnered together in ministry
and mission.
Friday, we will see what would be produced in the members
of the church at Philippi as a result of their generosity…
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