Rejoice in giving – to others… (3 things)

• 1^st – The church in Philippi supported Paul… vs. 10-16 (3 things)

• 1^st – The church of Philippi wanted to be a part of spreading the Gospel… vs. 10
  • They had wanted to give to Paul in the past but they had not had opportunity…
    • The reality was they were a very poor church – and did not have a lot to give…
    • II Corinthians 8:2 – “[The church in Philippi had] been going through much trouble and hard times… deep poverty…”
    • Often we think because we are a poor church – there is not much we can do…
    • But it is often the poorest churches – who do the greatest good…
    • The poor church of Philippi – was spiritually wealthy – so supported Paul…
    • While one of the richest churches – Laodicea – was spiritually bankrupt!
    • Revelation 3:17 – “I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’-and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked…”
    • Being used by the Lord has nothing to do with how much money we have…
    • It is all about a heart that is humble – and being willing to follow the Lord!
  • Giving is not just about money…
    • Perhaps we do have a desire to give to the Lord – be involved in God’s work…
    • The problem is we do not think we have anything to give to the Lord – no money!
    • Money is only ‘one way’ that we give to the Lord – be involved in His work…
    • God has given each one of us abilities – we can give God our time and effort!
  • The church had their own needs – it would have been easy to justify not giving…
    • Often people think they cannot afford to give to the Lord…
    • It is easy to look at all we do not have – money / food  – and think we cannot help!
    • We all are familiar with the rules for planting sugar cane – investing in a crop…
    • It might be expensive to plow a field with a tractor / buy good potdan…
    • We might think – fertilizer is not cheap / and perhaps try and use as little as we can
    • But in the end – the less we put into our crop – the less we get back!
    • Turns out this principal of sowing and reaping is just as true with giving…
    • Our gifts to God – whether given to the church / or those in need – are like seeds…
    • The more we plant – the more of a harvest of blessing we will reap from God…
    • If we are ‘cheap’ and choose to only plant a couple of seeds – a little harvest…
    • But if we sow bountifully – we will also reap bountifully!
    • We will never out give the Lord – the more we give / the more we will be given!
    • But if we try and keep all our money/time – we will always seem to be lacking!
    • Luke 6:38 – “Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.”.
    • Look at those who give to the Lord – and see if they are lacking anything they need…
    • Look at those who strive to get/ hold onto things – and see what they are lacking!
    • It is not a matter of asking if we can afford to give to God – can we afford not to!
  • God knows the motives of our heart – you cannot give to try and get…
    • If you have a friend who only ‘gives’ to you expecting ‘more’ back in return…
    • It will not take long before you try and avoid that ‘friend’…
    • If we only give to the Lord expecting back – we will be disappointed…
• 2^nd – Not that Paul needed the money… vs. 11-13
  • Paul had learned to be content with whatever he had…
    • We think the grass is always greener on the other side…
    • If only I was in Manila I would be happy / If only I had a better job / more money…
    • But the reality is happiness is not about our circumstances – it is about Jesus…
    • If we are not right with God – no matter where we are – we will not be content!
  • The answer is we need to LEARN to be content with what we have…
    • Food & clothing – I Timothy 6:8 / your wages – Luke 3:14 / with what you have…
    • Hebrews 13:5 – “Do not covet – be content with such things as you have.”
    • The richest man in the world – is the one who is content with what he has!
    • We will never be content – not matter how much we have – if we want more…
  • Paul learned whether he had a LOT or just a little – it was always enough with Jesus!
    • Paul did not need to run around asking for money – God would take care of him…
    • Paul understood that God is the one who provided…
    • So often we think that we have to let God (and others) know about the need…
    • The need is not the point – God already knows the need…
    • God is the creator of everything – He lack for nothing – He gives us what we need!
  • Paul could do all things through Jesus Christ who was his strength…
    • The way Paul learned to be content – was through trusting in Jesus…
    • If we are doubt God loves us – or do not have faith He can provide – not content…
    • But if we are confident that God will always take care of us…
    • Then we can wake up every morning content – knowing God is providing for us!
• 3^rd – The church had done well in helping Paul… vs. 14-16
  • The church in Philippi was the only church to support Paul…
    • Even right after Paul had departed from Philippi – Acts 17…
    • When Paul was in Thessalonica – the church had given twice to Paul…
    • Paul would never have asked the church to help because of their poverty…
    • But they had again and again given to Paul to help others churches…
  • The gift was not a mandatory offering…
    • Giving 10% of your income was only a command in the Old Covenant – Malachi 3:10
    • I am always amused by those who teach giving 10% to the church…
    • They take this one Law from the OT and teach it like it belongs in the NT…
    • The Law is not a buffet line – you cannot pick and choose what laws you like…
    • Those who teach giving 10% to the church – must also teach the rest of the Law…
    • Including all offering sacrifices at the Temple every time you sin!
  • The church gave because they wanted to…
    • II Corinthians 9:7 – “So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.”
    • Often today people give out of a sense of obligation – they give but do not want to!
    • It may even be taught that if you do not give – God will not bless you…
    • As if you are steeling from God if you do not give 10% to the church – Malachi 3:8
    • But God says to give whatever you want – is little or as much as is on you heart…
    • If you do not want to give anything – you do not have to…
    • If you want to give everything – you are more than welcome to…
    • But whatever you give – you are to do it with a hilarious heart – a cheerful giver…
    • If you give out of obligation – it counts for nothing – God does not want it!
• They were not giving for others to notice – they gave to bless the Lord…
  • Too often people give at the direction/urging of a pastor – wrong motive…
  • If you give – it is in obedience to the leading of the Lord – not to please men…
  • Matthew 6:1-4 – “Do not let your left hand know what you right hand is doing…”

• I’ve noticed when an offering plate comes around people make a show of their gift…
• It seems people prefer to drop in LOTS of coins – so you can hear their generosity… 
• Or their name ends up on a plague – an announcement made about their donation…
• They are not giving to God – they are giving for the recognition of other men!
• Jesus says – they have their reward – the temporary praises of others…

• We should give to God in such a way that no one knows – only God…
• That is why we do not pass a basket or have an ‘offering plate’ – give anonymously!
  
• 2^nd – Paul did not want the gift… vs. 17-20
  • 1^st – Paul purpose for teaching them about giving – was so they would receive… vs. 17
    • Too often in church today – money is the focus – pastors force people to give…
      • In fact the church has gotten a VERY bad reputation for always talking about money
      • Churches are to be a place where people come to learn about the Lord…
      • Instead people are taught about a God who only wants their money…
      • God does not want or need our money – He is the creator of Heaven and Earth!

• When God is the one who is behind a work – He will provide for all the needs!
  • So often churches try to do something that is their idea – new building…
  • If it is our idea we have to pay for it – God is not going to provide…
  • But if it is God’s idea – You do not have to tell people to give / make them help…
  • When God is the one doing the work – He will stir the hearts of His people…
  • He will provide for all the needs to complete His work!
  • He will provide so much – you end up having to tell the people to STOP giving!
• The heart of Paul was to seek to give to church of Corinth…

• If you want to invest some money – you can give put in the stock market…
• You then in a sense become part of a corporation – and share in their profits!
• As the church gave to Paul – they in effect became part of his work…
• They were investing in the Kingdom of God – and would share in the profits!
• We may not be able to teach a Bible study / or go to some far off land…
• But as we come along side other who do – we get to share in the fruit!
• 2^nd – Paul was full – he had received the gift from Epaphroditus… vs. 18
  • Their gift to Paul was a sacrifice – a sweet smelling aroma to God…
  • Mark 12:42-44 – The poor widow who only put in 2 mites – about 50 centavos…
  • Jesus called the disciples and told them – she gave more than all the rich put together!
  • The rich gave out of their abundance – she out of her poverty – she gave all she had!
  • It is not about the quantity – giving a lot means nothing if it costs us nothing…

Can be one of the greatest gifts you will ever give – giving the Love of Jesus!

It is about sacrifice – giving from the heart – showing our Love for God!

If someone is in need – and you give a little – even if it is not enough…

It is a HUGE blessing to them – because they know you care about them!

3^rd – God would provide for the church… vs. 19-20

Even thought the church had given sacrificially – Paul knew God would provide…

Not for Paul – but for them – God would give them all they needed…

We might think that God has not given us what we need – but we forget…

1^st – God promises to provide for all of our needs – but not necessarily our wants…

Therefore if we do not have it – we must not need it!

2^nd – God provides for whatever we need – at the exact moment we need it…

3^rd – Our greatest ‘need’ (singular) is that we have salvation through Jesus Christ!

3^rd – Conclusion of the letter… vs. 21-23

Paul told them to greet all the saints…

Just as all the saints there in Rome greeted the believers there in Philippi…

Especially the believers who were there in the house of Caesar…

The Grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you – Amen…

We might not think we have anything to give – but we can give our greeting…

To share a verse / a smile / a kind word – with someone at just the right moment…