How and Why to Give to Others
Philippians 4:14-23
Let’s turn to Philippians 4:14-23. If you need a Bible, please raise your hand and we will bring one to you. In the Bibles that we are passing out, Philippians 4 is on page 982.
Today as we come to the end of Paul’s letter to the Philippians, we can see that Paul wants to thank them for the financial support they have given to him over the years.
And I think that God wants to use this passage to strengthen us in our giving to each other. Jesus calls his followers to give to each other. For example, in Luke 6:38 he says “Give, and it will begin to you.” And in Acts 20:35 he says “it is more blessed to give than to receive.”
So Jesus calls us to give to each other. He calls us to give each other time, and listening. He calls us to give each other encouragement, and babysitting. He calls to give each other love, and meals.
For example, this past week Jason had serious pinkeye, and the doctor said Erin had to live somewhere else. So the Keeners gave Erin housing. Friday Raj flew in from Thailand, and Joe gave Raj time by picking him up. And Jerry and Dee Dee are organizing a garage sale to raise money that we can give for the church-planting work in Morocco.
Jesus calls us to give to each other. And I believe God wants to use this last section of Philippians to stir up our passion to give to each other. So let’s read this passage, starting with verse 14. Paul has just said that he is content even when he is low on money. But he doesn’t want them to think that means he doesn’t appreciate their financial support. And so in verse 14 he says this –
14 Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble.
15 And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only.
16 Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again.
17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit.
18 I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God.
19 And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
20 To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.
21 Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me greet you.
22 All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar's household.
23 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
So the Philippians had given Paul financial support, and Paul wants to thank them. And to do this he describes how they had given to him. So let’s raise this as our first question – how had the Philippians given to Paul? In verses 14-16 Paul mentions three particulars --
First, they gave from hearts that shared Paul’s trouble. Read verse 14 again –
14 Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble.
When they heard that Paul had financial troubles, they didn’t say – too bad for Paul. Instead, they shared his troubles. They took Paul’s troubles on as their own -- and took care of those troubles.
And that’s what Jesus calls us to do. When someone needs counsel, or babysitting, or a meal, we share those troubles and take them on as our own and seek to meet them.
But that’s not easy. It’s not easy to take on other people’s troubles, because we have our own heart needs. If you are worried or insecure or discouraged – those heart needs make it hard to take on other people’s troubles.
But here’s the good news – Jesus Christ promises to meet all of your heart needs. That’s what he says in John 6:35 – “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will not hunger, he who believes in me will not thirst.”
So when we bring our hearts needs to Jesus, and seek our joy in him, he will so satisfy our hearts that we can share others’ troubles.
That’s how the Philippian believers had been able to share Paul’s troubles, and that’s how we will be able to share others’ troubles.
So who do you know that has troubles? And are you sharing their troubles?
Second, they were the only church that gave to Paul. You can see that in verse 15 –
15 And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only.
Paul had planted a lot of churches. But only the church in Philippi shared Paul’s trouble. Paul mentions this because he wants them to know how much he appreciates their support.
But this is helpful for us to reflect on, because it means that giving doesn’t come automatically to churches or Christians. If we don’t put effort into keeping our hearts filled with Christ, we will not share other people’s troubles, and so we won’t give.
But the church at Philippi had put effort into keeping their hearts filled with Christ. And so they did share Paul’s troubles, and gave to him. And Paul thanks them.
Then third, they gave Paul money more than once. You can see that in verse 16 –
16 Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again.
So they didn’t share Paul’s troubles just once. When later on they heard that Paul had more financial troubles, they shared in those troubles. They gave again, and again, and again.
But too often we give once, and then stop. Why do we stop? One reason is because if we just give out of duty, or to impress other people, that motivation will run out. But if we seek our joy in Christ we will be filled – again and again and so we will be able to give – again and again.
And again – that’s what the Philippians had done.
So hear what the Holy Spirit is saying in these verses. He is calling you to share someone’s troubles. He is calling you to give to them in some way. So pay heed to what he stirring in your heart right now. And we will be helped even more by what Paul says in this next section.
In the next four verses Paul encourages them to keep giving. Let’s raise this question -- how does Paul encourage them to keep giving?
First – their giving will increase their heavenly bank account. We could think Paul encourages them to keep giving just because it helps him financially. But that’s not what he says. Read verse 17 –
17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit.
That phrase “to your credit” does not mean that other people will give you credit for what you did. It means that you have a heavenly bank account that will increase when you give to others.
So what is in this heavenly bank account that will increase? It’s what Paul has been talking about throughout this letter. It’s gaining more of Christ, from 1:21. It’s the encouragement and love of Christ, from 2:1-3. And it’s the surpassing value of knowing Christ, from 3:8.
So you have a heavenly bank account full of the joy of knowing and worshiping and loving Christ. And the more you give to others, the more your heavenly bank account will grow. And the more your heavenly bank account grows, the more joy you will have in knowing Christ forever. So when you let Christ fill your heart so you give to others – you are increasing the joy you will have in Christ forever.
This might puzzle you. You might be wondering – doesn’t every believer have joy in Christ in heaven? And the answer is Yes. In heaven every believer will be full of joy in Christ. But Thomas Watson said that while every believer will be full of joy in Christ, we will have different capacities for joy in Christ depending on how much we have given to others. If you have given some, then you might have a Big Gulp capacity for joy in the Lord. If you have only given a little, you might just have a shot glass capacity of joy in the Lord. And if you have given lots, you might have a 50 gallon barrel capacity for joy in the Lord.
The more you let Christ’s fullness free you to give in this life, the more joy you will have in Christ forever.
Second, their giving is a fragrant offering which pleases God. You can see that in verse 18 –
18 I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God.
In the Old Testament, believers brought animal sacrifices to the Lord, sometimes to picture the penalty for sin, but at other times to express the worth of God. Now we know there are no more animal sacrifices for forgiveness of sin, because Jesus fulfilled those sacrifices. So the sacrifices Paul pictures us bringing are the sacrifices which express God’s worth.
Here’s how this works. When you are willing to give money, time, listening, convenience – because of all that you have in God – that shows everyone around you how great God is. Because if he can satisfy you so much that you are willing to give away money and time convenience – that means he is really satisfying!
So when you listen to someone at Starbucks, or babysit for someone in your home group, or make a meal for someone in your neighborhood – that displays God’s worth so powerfully that it is fragrant and pleasing to him. It brings God pleasure.
So every time you let God’s worth satisfying strengthen you so that you serve someone else -- God himself sees it, notices it, and is pleased with it.
Then third, he encourages them that God will supply all their needs. You can see that in verse 19 –
19 And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
One thing that keeps us from giving to others, is fear that we will not have enough for ourselves. I suppose some people give more than they should and so end of being irresponsible. But most of us don’t give as much as we should, because we are preoccupied with our own needs.
But here is a promise that God will supply every need of yours. That does not mean he will supply every want. But he will supply every need. He will supply everything you need to have the greatest joy in Christ now and forever.
We are going to plant a church in Abu Dhabi. And I have wondered if I would have all that I need to plant this church. Will I have the wisdom, the leadership, the discipleship, and the preaching I need to plant this church?
And so I have been praying over this verse – that God will supply all of my needs according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. And as I have prayed over that verse, the Holy Spirit has strengthened my faith in that verse, and I have been filled with peace and joy, because I know God is going to provide everything I need.
And notice that he will supply all our needs “according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus” – which puts the emphasis on revelations of his glory, outpourings of his Holy Spirit, experiences of the riches of his love.
So there you are listening at Starbucks – not only can you be confident that God will provide all the time you need for everything else, but maybe on the way home God will fill you with joy unspeakable and full glory. Or if you give someone some money – not only can you be confident that God will provide all the money you need, but maybe the next time you open the word you will see and feel Christ’s beauty like never before.
And as Paul thinks about how lavishly God pours the riches of his glory upon us he bursts out in worship – and you can read his worship in verse 20 –
20 To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.
So let this motivate you to bring your heart needs to Christ so he can fill you and free you -- and then give to others. But we have three verses left in this book. And as I read these verses, which is Paul’s farewell, I noticed how much giving Paul mentions. So let’s ask – how do we see giving in Paul’s farewell?
Read verses 21-23 –
21 Greet every saint in Christ Jesus.
So he calls them to give greetings, encouragements, blessings to every saint -- every believer. Then keep reading in verse 21 –
The brothers who are with me greet you.
So Paul gives them greetings and encouragement from fellow believers.
Then look at what he says in verse 22 –
22 All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar's household.
So Paul gives them greetings and encouragement from all the saints that are in Rome, and especially those who were in Caesar’s household.
And then look at the blessing Paul gives them in verse 23 –
23 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
God’s people are so filled with God’s glory in Christ that we love to give to each other – greetings, and blessings – as Paul described in verses 21 to 23.
So how is the Holy Spirit stirring you to give? Take that seriously.
And understand that
- your giving will increase your heavenly bank account,
- it will be a fragrant offering that will please God,
- and you will experience God providing for your every need according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
Like Jesus said – give, and it will be given to you.