PHILIPPIANS 4:14-23

July 6, 2020

Thank you for your patience in waiting for this last lesson from the book of Philippians. Please continue to pray for healing for Susie’s back. It is improving but still is not completely back to “normal.” She is continuing to follow up with a spine specialist and a pain management specialist.

GOD PROVIDES FOR THOSE WHO PROVIDE FOR HIS PREACHERS

Philippians 4:14-16 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 more than once when I was in need.

SUSAN: If you want to look up the occasions Paul refers to, they are found in the book of Acts. John MacArthur has already done the legwork (helpful since I have only partial legs LOL) for us on the cross-references:

4:15 in the beginning of the gospel. When Paul first preached the gospel in Philippi (Acts 16:13). when I departed. When Paul first left Philippi approximately 10 years before (Acts 16:40). Macedonia. In addition to Philippi, Paul also ministered in two other towns in Macedonia: Thessalonica and Berea (Acts 17:1–14).

NKJV MacArthur Study Bible, 2nd Edition

SUSIE: Paul praises the Philippian church for sharing in his troubles through their monetary gifts and send Epaphroditus to work with him. He recalls that they were the only church that sent him support in the beginning of his ministry. In fact, they had sent him an offering several times as they found out he was in need. 

Epaphroditus: see note on Philippians 2:25

SUSAN: They were his genuine, true partners in the ministry, his faithful and consistent supporters. They had sent help to him more than once while he was in Thessalonica.

Philippians 4:17 (NIV)  Not that I desire your gifts; what I desire is that more be credited to your account.

SUSAN: Paul’s desire was not so much for their financial gifts for himself but for the amount deposited in their heavenly account. His motivation was that they would receive blessings from the Lord.

SUSIE: I am certain that Paul prayed for anyone who supported him, whether financially or with encouragement. Susan and I pray for those who support Precious Jewels Ministries, asking the Lord to bless them and lifting up any specific needs we are aware of.

Q – Is it sometimes difficult to accept a gift from a brother or sister in the Lord, especially if they are giving from a place of barely having enough for themselves? If you refuse their gift, are you interfering with God’s desire to bless them?

Philippians 4:18-19 I have received full payment and have more than enough. 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 the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.

SUSIE: Paul assures the Philippian believers that he now has plenty due to the gifts they sent to him. He makes it clear that their gifts are not only given to him but given to the Lord. When we support a minister, a missionary, a Christian school, or such, our gift is not to that person or institution so much as it is an offering to God. 

SUSAN: When we give to a minister or ministry, our heart focus always needs to be on giving because of what the Lord is accomplishing through that minister or ministry by His grace and His power. The gift and the glory go to Jesus as the minister or ministry are only the vessels He uses to accomplish His goals.   

SUSIE: Paul says this type of sacrifice is pleasing to the Lord. Paul assures the Philippians God will meet their material needs even though they have sacrificed to send him gifts. Our God is able to supply all that we need. He is the ultimate owner of everything! 

SUSAN: God is our source and provision for natural needs as well as spiritual, for everything we require.

Verse 19 In words that countless Christians have relied on as one of the great Scripture promises, Paul now reminds his benefactors that “my God” will do what he himself is in no position to do; namely, reimburse his benefactors. This assurance of the divine supply of the Philippians’ needs implies that they had given so liberally that they actually left themselves in some real “need.” Those who share generously with others, especially to advance the work of the Lord, are promised a divine supply of anything they might lack because of their generosity (Pr 11:25; 19:17; Mt 5:7).

Expositor’s Bible Commentary (Abridged Edition): New Testament Copyright 2004.

Psalm 50:10 (KJV) “For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills.”

Psalm 37:25-26 (VOICE) Through my whole life (young and old), I have never witnessed God forsaking those who do right, nor have I seen their children begging for crumbs, Because they are always giving and sharing;    truly, their children are a joyful blessing.

Q – Do you consider the donations you make to a minister or ministry as gifts to God?

Philippians 4:20 (NIV) To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

4:20 This doxology is Paul’s praise in direct response to the great truth that God supplies all the needs of the saints. In a more general sense, this is praise in response to the character of God and His faithfulness.

The MacArthur Study Bible

SUSIE: Paul is all about bringing glory to God. It was John the Baptist who said, “He must increase, but I must decrease,” (John 3:30 NASB); but Paul would be in hearty agreement with that statement. It’s not about me, and it’s not about you. It’s not about that fantastic speaker in the pulpit or the stadium. It’s ALL about the Lord Jesus Christ!

SUSAN: I (Susan) once promised the Lord I would continue to be His megaphone even if I had to do so flat on my back. This was at a time when I still had my legs. A caregiver at the time asked me to preside over her vow renewal with her husband. I had a painfully dislocated knee, but I sensed that saying no to this request was giving the Enemy cause to gloat that he had prevented me from fulfilling my calling as a minister. Therefore, I arrived in an ambulance and performed the ceremony from a gurney using a translator since the couple spoke Spanish as their native language. My hope was to glorify our God by serving Him no matter what obstacles lie in my path. It wasn’t about me. It was about obeying what God laid on my heart to do as His minister.

Philippians 4:21-22 Greet all God’s people in Christ Jesus. The brothers and sisters who are with me send greetings. All God’s people here send you greetings, especially those who belong to Caesar’s household.

SUSIE: Timothy was with Paul, and we know Epaphroditus was about to carry this letter. There were others ministering in Rome as well.

SUSAN: Those of Caesar’s household would include the soldiers chained to Paul while he was under house arrest, household slaves he may have preached to, etc. People in Caesar’s own complex were being brought to saving knowledge of Jesus! These new believers sent greetings back to the Philippians who were sending support to the one who led them to the Lord.

Philippians 4:23 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.

SUSAN: May the grace of Jesus be the source, the very apex, of your joy, the encouragement of your spirit. Paul included this prayer in most of his letters. We, too, should encourage other believers in this way.

SUSIE: Do not fail to examine the greetings and salutations of the letters in the New Testament. They contain excellent examples of how to build each other up in Jesus.

APPLY THIS TO YOUR LIFE:

  • Sometimes we hesitate to receive something given to us by someone we think has less than we do. Please do not deny them the blessing of giving freely. Receive it graciously and trust the Lord to reimburse them abundantly. In the current vernacular, just “pay it forward” by doing the same for someone else on down the line.
  • When you give to a ministry, remember that your gift is to God. It is then that entity’s responsibility to use the gift as God directs. Give to those who are proclaiming Jesus rather that promoting themselves.
  • Remember the Source of your joy. As your prayer life increases, so will your contentment and joy.