Philippians 4:10-23

by | Oct 6, 2022

Teacher: Pastor Chet Lowe

Main Scriptures: Philippians 4, 2 Corinthians 8 & 9, Malachi 3

  • Paul has been discipling this church in areas of weakness in regard to humility, obedience and unity
  • But this church has a testimony of generously giving
    • This is not the false doctrine of the faith movement or prosperity gospel (ie: The more you give the more you get in this life, financial riches = God’s favor and protection from suffering)
  • Generously giving is the essence of our faith
    • God so loved the world He gave (John 3:16)
    • Through His poverty, we’ve become spiritually rich (2 Corinthians 8:9)
  • v. 9 Paul has practiced what he’s preaching (Acts 20:34-35)
    • He was a hard worker and generous giver (Matthew 6:21)
  • v. 10 Generous giving looks like caring
    • The Spirit receives all glory because He is the initiator of all generosity
      • Do we quench the Spirit when He prompts us to be generous?
        • This church was not wealthy, but sacrificial (2 Corinthians 8:1-7)
      • Do we care about what God cares about?
        • Generous giving is internally and spiritually motivated, not externally pressured
  • v. 11 Generous giving looks like contentment
    • He has learned experientially to be fully satisfied with Jesus (Philippians 3:8)
  • v. 12 His circumstances were a part of him learning contentment
    • Christ is enough when I’m hungry and when I’m full
  • v. 13 He has learned he can do all things through Christ…even trust God
  • v. 14 Generous giving looks like sharing
    • Sharing is God providing for us so that we can give to others (Philippians 2:3)
      • We are simply stewards of the things God, our Father, has provided for us as His children
  • v. 15-16 Sharing IS caring
    • It is not a one-time emotional response to distress; it is a continual process based on the prompting of the Spirit
  • v. 17-20 Sharing secures your future reward, not diminishes it
    • You cannot out-give God (Malachi 3:8-12)
      • The world cannot understand this kind of generous giving
    • Sharing does require sacrifice (the loss of something for the sake of another)
      • But that sacrifice does not go without blessing
        • 2 Corinthians 9:1-15
          • The blessing is
            • Seeing lives change
            • Being a blessing to others
            • Becoming like the Lord
            • Stewarding God’s kingdom
            • God receiving glory