Feb. 28, 2021. Philippians 4:14-23

Posted byJohn Sanzone

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HEAVEN BOUND GIVING. Philippians 4:14-23. 02/28/21. #21.

Philippians 4:14-23 [New King James Version]

14 Nevertheless you have done well that you shared in my distress. 15 Now you Philippians know also that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church shared with me concerning giving and receiving but you only. 16 For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities. 17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account. 18 Indeed I have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God. 19 And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. 20 Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen. 21 Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren who are with me greet you. 22 All the saints greet you, but especially those who are of Caesar’s household. 23 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

  1. Well done
    1. Paul thanked the Php. church for their gift to him
      1. He let them know that he was not depending on gifts from any man, but relied on the Lord
      1. Paul was not discounting the support from the Philippians, but he did not want them to think he was relying on them for it (no entitlement)
    1. Paul was content in whatever the Lord gave him
      1. He could get by with little if need be
      1. Paul knew that God would provide him whatever he needed, even if it was meager
    1. Paul states that they had done well to express their care for him with their gifts
      1. Paul was not ungrateful, but joyful in their sharing
      1. Their tangible expression of love = a special bond
    1. Paul states that no other church sent gifts of him
      1. Not Antioch, Ephesus, Galatia, Colossians,…
      1. Philippians sent two gifts to Paul when he was in Thessalonians when the Php. was a brand new church
      1. Earn Paul’s greatest praise and admiration
    1. James 2:14-26 apparently, the Php. church could not pray for Paul without considering how they could help Paul
    1. Philippians = probably surprised that other churches didn’t give
  2. Eternal interest accumulated
    1. Paul states that the gift was more beneficial to the Philippians than it was to him
      1. a1. The gift was fruit to the Philippian’s account
      1. a2. By supporting Paul, they were a part of every
      1. witness, convert, disciple believer in Paul’s ministry
    1. Each disciple made by Paul’s disciples were also credited to the Php. account, as well as each new generation after that until the Lord returns
    1. Paul was full in Christ no matter how he was supported, but his supporters entered into partnership with him
    1. Paul framed the gift in eternal terms:
      1. A sweet aroma before God (imagery from the sacrifices made to God in line with Leviticus)
      1. An acceptable sacrifice
        1. God received it as he did the OT offeringst
        1. The Philippians gave out of their poverty (a true sacrifice of necessities – food, clothing…)
      1. God was pleased with their sacrifice (willing)
  3. God’s bank account
    1. Paul reminds the Php. that God owns all things
      1. Out of God’s abundance, everything the Philippians needed will be supplied to them
      1. No sacrifice for God will go unrewarded
    1. Paul was not promising riches through missionary giving
    1. We will never lack what we need when we give to the Lord
      1. Matthew 25 every gift to the ministry, the needy, and the destitute is a gift to God
      1. Paul is excited for the Php. that they not only have shared in his ministry, but also in his reward
    1. God meets our needs and not our wants
      1. Does not negate trials, struggles, and challenges
      1. He knows more of what we need than we do
      1. The faithful saint will never lack God’s care
    1. Paul ends the epistle with a benediction of greeting
      1. Special greeting from converts from the palace
      1. Paul ends this most upbeat epistle with a blessing

Key verse: James 2:14-26

14 What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? 17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. 18 But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. 19 You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! 20 But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? 22 Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? 23 And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God. 24 You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only. 25 Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way? 26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.