Thanks for Their Gifts
Philippians 4:10-19
"I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid again and again when I was in need. Not that I am looking for a gift, but I am looking for what may be credited to your account. I have received full payment and even more; I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus."
Describe a time when you have supported a fellow Christian (financially or otherwise). How did it feel?
Paul is writing to the believers in Philppi, thanking them for a gift, he refers to their giving in verse 18 as “An acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God.” These are words taken from the old testament sacrificial laws, which were part of their worship.
Philippians 4:10-19
"I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid again and again when I was in need. Not that I am looking for a gift, but I am looking for what may be credited to your account. I have received full payment and even more; I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus."
Describe a time when you have supported a fellow Christian (financially or otherwise). How did it feel?
Paul is writing to the believers in Philppi, thanking them for a gift, he refers to their giving in verse 18 as “An acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God.” These are words taken from the old testament sacrificial laws, which were part of their worship.
Do you see your giving as an act of worship, something that gives glory to God.
Paul goes further and says by means of encouragement that “My God will meet all of your needs, according to His glorious riches in Christ.”
Paul goes further and says by means of encouragement that “My God will meet all of your needs, according to His glorious riches in Christ.”
Are these just nice words or a true experience of what happens when people give sacrificially?
In verse 17 Paul says that “he is looking for what may be credited to their account.” This was more than just a financial transaction, Paul looks beyond the gift he had received, to see the effect of sacrificial giving on the Philippian church.
In verse 17 Paul says that “he is looking for what may be credited to their account.” This was more than just a financial transaction, Paul looks beyond the gift he had received, to see the effect of sacrificial giving on the Philippian church.
How has sacrificial giving effected us?
2 Corinthians 8 verses 1 to 7
Generosity Encouraged
"And now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints. And they did not do as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with God's will. So we urged Titus, since he had earlier made a beginning, to bring also to completion this act of grace on your part. But just as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us—see that you also excel in this grace of giving."
We see that the Macedonian believers are held up as an example. These two passages of scripture possibly refer to the same event as Philippi is in Macedonia (see map)
If Paul was writing today what would he have to say about the example of the believers in Clapton?
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