Philippians 4:10-4:23
"In God We Trust", or The Root Of All Evil
An Outline of Philippians
1:1-11 Paul & his concern
1:12-18 Imprisonment & preaching
1:19-30 Live well (or die well)
2:1-11 Have Christ's mind
2:12-18 Work it out: use Christ's mind
2:19-30 Welcome Paul's Friends
3:1-11 Worthless works: what Paul was
3:12-21 Press on to the goal: what Paul is
4:1-9 Reconcile & rejoice
4:10-23 Thanks & blessing

 
The Passage: Phil 4:10-23
1. Thanks for the Gift (4:10-20)
A. I rejoiced at your gift (v10)
The Philippians sent money to Paul; this is probably the occassion for the letter.
Evidentally they had heard of his need and they responded (as they always had).

 
Note the poverty of the givers...
2 cor 8:1-5 describes their generosity:
1. Now, brethren, we wish to make known to you the grace of God which has been given in the churches of Macedonia,
2. that in a great ordeal of affliction their abundance of joy and their deep poverty overflowed in the wealth of their liberality.
3. For I testify that according to their ability, and beyond their ability, they gave of their own accord,
4. begging us with much urging for the favor of participation in the support of the saints,
5. and this, not as we had expected, but they first gave themselves to the Lord and to us by the will of God.

B. I am content (v11-13)
Paul is grateful for the gift, but offers a perspective on money.
- Circumstances come and go
- He is content in rich and poor
- God is his strength, not visa

ignatius of loyola, founder of the jesuits, expressed the christians attitude towards money as one of indifference.
that works well for me... (though there is some ugly jesuit history, this is a good way of capturing the idea)

C. The benefits of sharing (v14-20)
Paul wants the Philippians to receive the benefits of giving.
- sharing with Paul in ministry (v15)
- a profit to the Philippians (spiritual) (v17)
- an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God (v19)
Giving allows us to turn physical benefit to spiritual gain.
 
remember the widows mite however... luke 21:1-3

2. Conclusion (4:21-23)

 
The Application: Christians And Money
1. Be Generous Like the Philippians
Sharing benefits others you love and care about.
They were able to help Paul, their friend, father, and brother, with money.
of all the great things to be able to buy with money...how about help for family?

Sharing benefits you.
paul talks about how they shared with him in giving and receiving (v15)
he also speaks fo the profit which increases to their account because of their sharing. (v17)
 
sharing is a means of getting; transferring money to spiritual goods.

Don't worry; God will provide what you need.
v19 "my God shall supply all your needs according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus"


 
2. Be Content Like Paul
Contentment is not working to value what we material possessions we have.
Contentment is not valuing material possessions (compared to what we should value).

 
3. What keeps us from sharing and being content?
1. Why is it hard for us to share?
Idea: find a place to give that excits you. give there.

 
2. Why is it hard for us to be content?
spend time with poverty. go on a short term mission trip perhaps?

 
lack of perspective
materialism, lack of trust, selfishness.