Philippians XXVIII – Giving and Receiving (Phil 4:14-23)

Introduction – We live as citizens of heaven, bound together in Christ as a holy people.  We are slaves and saints together (1:1) and we bow the knee to no one other than the Lord Jesus Christ (2:10).  Overwhelmed with the gospel promises, we seek Christ and all that He has for us over everything else in life (3:13-14).  It is in fact no hardship when suffering comes our way, for to us to live is Christ and to die is gain (1:21).  This life in Christ is always life in the body and so, following Christ, we humble ourselves for the sake of the body, seeking to be of one mind, always praying to Christ for our every need (2:3, 4:6).  And all of this leads to these final words of Paul to the koinonia, the fellowship at Philippi.

Grace-Giving (vv14-15) – What are the characteristics of Christian giving?

Fellowship in the Need – Especially when supporting someone in need, we do so out of a fellowship in that need, “sharing in the distress.” Koinonia produces more than pity or compassion.  It links us with the one in distress (Rom 12:5).

Willing and Free – As soon as they had opportunity, the Philippians sent their aid (v10).  Because of the fellowship, brothers look for the opportunity to give with gladness (2 Cor 9:7, Prov 21:26).

Generous and Sacrificial – The Philippians gave “once and again,” over and over.  They were over the top in their giving, imploring Paul at one point and risking personal financial jeopardy (2 Cor 8:1-4).

Giving With Remembrance – They could not forget what Paul had done for them.  They could not forget what God had done for them. 

Regardless of Others – “no church shared with me…but you only.”  It didn’t matter what others were doing or not doing; this did not affect their sense of duty and privilege before God.

“Once and Again” – The pattern of the Philippians was not of responding only to blood-stained letters of need, but regular patterned giving, always seeking for the opportunity to share what God had given to them.

Giving to God – All of the giving to the Lord’s work is giving to God, to Jesus Himself (Matt 25:44-46), and so it becomes likened to “a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God.”

Great Expectations (vv16-18) – Throughout the scriptures, we are encouraged to expect great blessing from faithful giving.  Do not be ashamed to have great expectations.

Receive with Gratefulness to God – Paul “rejoiced in the Lord greatly” for the provisions God provided through whatever providence He used.  Always give thanks.  Always.

Receive without Grasping – Paul said, “not that I seek the gift.”  But he had a need, and had certainly made his requests known to God.  But the peace of God guarded his heart in such a way that he wasn’t grasping when God granted the gift.

The Fruit That Abounds – Paul honestly was more excited about what would happen for the giver as he received the gift.  He took God’s Word at face value (Prov 3:9-10, 11:24-25, 19:17, Mal 3:10-12, Luke 6:38).

God Shall Supply All Your Needs (v19) – Paul exhorts us to let the Word stir our souls to receive these promises (Psalm 84:11, 34:9-10).  God’s people have need, and yet we are promised that God will meet those needs.  Needs teach us to depend upon and seek after God.

Needs and Desires – God always supplies your needs and many times your desires too.  Sometimes we don’t realize what our needs really are, and so God gives them anyway, but they are always “according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”  If God gave us His Son to meet our greatest need, how will He not also freely give us all things that we need?

Giving Worship, Fellowship, and Benediction (vv20-23) – Truth declared and received by faith does not result in stodginess, but in gracious, generous, outward praise and love.

Breaking Forth in Praise – Here is the response to all Paul has declared in this book:  Glory be to our God and Father and forever and ever, and Amen (Psalm 34:1).  It is unbelievable what we have been promised and where we have been brought.  And when this gospel is declared, those in Christ are turned again to God, to His throne, to His ways, with increased faith, hope and love.  Genuine faith causes celebration: singing, praising, supplicating, hoping, loving, and pressing on.

Spilling Over in Greetings – In the context of covenant community and worship, the fellowship continues and spreads.  If that person is in Christ then you are a brother or a sister, sharing in the greatest communion-fellowship that ever could be known.  Water is thicker than blood.  And this is to be displayed within the local fellowship and between local fellowships and throughout the world of the catholic church.

Receiving the Favor of God – Grace is the forgiveness of sin but it is not only that, for the grace of God was upon Jesus (Luke 2:40).  Grace is the favor of God resting upon you.  God said of Jesus that He was well-pleased with Him and in Christ God is well-pleased with you; all of you, and each of you.  This benediction placed upon the Philippians is done by God’s appointed means, his minister of the gospel.  Looking around you, agree with God that he should place His favor upon those brothers and sisters; and so do not mumble your “Amen.”                                                                                                                                                                                          Dave Hatcher – October 10, 2004