20/11/2022
HOW GIVING MAKES YOU JOYFUL
*Dr D CLERGYMAN*
The Philippian Christians had learned the secret of joyful, liberal financial giving. The church in Philippi had taken up an offering to give to Paul, in prison because of his faith. Paul wrote back to the church and expressed his joy (see verse 10). Joy, or its derivative, occurs almost 20 times in this letter.
Have you discovered the joy of giving? Perhaps too many of us view giving as an occasion for grief or dread rather than an occasion for joy. In what ways can giving make you a joyful person?
In this case, we are going to use Philippians 4:10-20 as our reference scriptures.
1. Giving revives our concern (v. 10)
The word renewed in verse 10 pictures something that was dead now coming to life. The word sometimes is translated as revived. The word pictures a tree or plant that is barren in the winter, but when spring comes, the tree or plant blossoms with new shoots and flowers. The Philippian Christians had been barren in expressing their concern for Paul, but now, with the gift of money they sent him, they were blossoming anew with concern for Paul's welfare.
Giving takes the focus off ourselves and puts it into someone or something else. Giving becomes a tangible way we can express concern and love to other people.
2. Giving teaches us contentment (v. 11)
Paul did not want this church to think that his joy rested on whether he had money. Paul had schooled himself to be satisfied with whatever he had. He had joy in his life, not because his purse was full, but because he had learned contentment. The Greek Stoics used the word content to describe self-sufficiency. Paul believed his sufficiency was in Christ (Read Hebrews 13:5). Paul believed that whether you were naked or clothed, hungry or filled, rich or poor, if you had the Lord in your life, you had everything you needed.
Our consumer-oriented society pressures us to place too much value on material things, to the point that our joy is based on how much we have. This approach to life results in chronic dissatisfaction. We never seem to have enough.
3. Giving makes us partners in ministry (v. 14)
Paul said about this gift of money sent by the church at Philippi (Read verse 14). The word share is the same word often translated as "fellowship." The word denotes partnership. Each time we give to the Lord's work, we partner with other Christians to help advance the kingdom. That exciting thought puts joy in our hearts.
4. Giving pays spiritual dividends (vs. 17-18)
Paul made clear he was not looking for monetary gifts for his own benefit. Giving blesses the one who gives more than the one who receives the gift. The phrase "credited to your account" implies that giving to the Lord is like investing in kingdom matters. Kingdom work pays spiritual dividends.
Giving from the right motives and for the right reasons becomes in God's sight, (Read v.18). This language from the Old Testament shows that our giving becomes an act of worship and devotion to God. Sacrifices to God fill our hearts with great joy (see Psalm. 4:5, 7).
5. Giving grows our faith in God (v. 19)
Perhaps some of the members of the church at Philippi had given to Paul's ministry but were worried they might not have enough money left to meet their own needs. Paul gave them a great promise to stand upon.
Many Christians sit at the kitchen table or at a desk each month with their bills, and they conclude they have no or little money to give to the church. Putting braces on the kids' teeth, paying for college tuition, buying new tires for the car, and replacing the roof on the house loom as larger priorities than faithful financial stewardship.
Verse 19 encourages us to take the step of faith and to give, trusting God to meet our needs.
As we give financially to the Lord's work, we become keepers of the flame. We help spread the gospel message. We meet people's needs. We assist people in growing spiritually. We enable our churches to shine as God's lights in the world. Such privileges fill our hearts with joy.
Jesus is Lord
