Commentary Text

Commentary

Text: Phil. 4:10-20

Context of the book / letter / Gospel: In his letter to the Philippian church, the Apostle Paul thanks them for their generosity and expresses how the Lord has given him contentment in his need. He reminds his readers that God will supply their needs.

Main Idea of The Text: When we give to the work of the Kingdom, God will give us contentment for what we have as He provides for our needs, not our wants.

Exegetical Outline of The Text

I. Believers can be content in their circumstances. -- vv. 10-13. II. Believers can be provided for through the gifts of one another. -- vv. 14-18. III. Believers are promised provision through the riches of Christ Jesus. -- vv. 19-20.

Verse by verse commentary:

10 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly because once again you renewed your care for me. You were, in fact, concerned about me but lacked the opportunity to show it. 11 I don’t say this out of need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I find myself. 12 I know both how to make do with little, and I know how to make do with a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content—whether well fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need. 13 I am able to do all things through him who strengthens me. 14 Still, you did well by partnering with me in my hardship.

Pastor Jack Arnold gives us commentary in his sermon notes provided below (http://www.cleartheology.com/expo/40Philippians/Philippians%2019.html).

But I rejoice greatly in the Lord, -- These Philippians had sent the Apostle Paul a gift of money by the hand of Epaphroditus. The very thought of this gift and the sacrifices which were made by the people caused Paul to rejoice. He had contentment over having such dear Christian friends. NOTE. Paul rejoiced in the Lord, for while the Philippians gave the gift the ultimate source behind the gift was God. Paul clearly understood that the real source of his bread and butter was God not men. He also rejoiced in the Lord because the gift to him was an evidence of the Philippians spiritual growth and Christ’s work in their lives.

That at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. – These Philippians really cared for the Apostle, but circumstances made it impossible to give the gift right away. Maybe there was a financial crisis in their church; maybe they had no one to take the gift to Rome; maybe they did not know Paul had a need. We do not know what hindered them from giving, but as soon as they clearly understood Paul had a need, their concern was revived. They had great compassion for Paul. NOTE. It is great to have Christian friends who really care. Real Christian fellowship brings true contentment.

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. -- vv. 11-12a:

Paul had a dilemma. How could he genuinely thank them for their gift and at the same time make them understand he was not dependent on their gift, for he was adequate and sufficient in Christ, depending only on Christ to meet his needs. He had to help them grasp that God would supply all his needs; yet they were God’s instruments in this case and he was grateful.

I am not saying this because I am in need, -- Paul had many physical and financial needs but he wanted them to grasp that he was not speaking of destitution. He was not in desperate straights because his sufficiency was in Christ and He would somehow meet every need. Paul also knew that some would probably misunderstand his pure motives in rejoicing over this gift. They might say, “These preachers are all alike. All they are concerned about is money. See how excited Paul got when he received this gift. He is just too money hungry for me.” Paul had to help them understand that he was not a parasite preacher making a killing off the gospel. There were many who accused Paul of making money from preaching. He wants to assure them that his genuine thanks are not a secret ploy to have them give more money next time. He is not buttering them up for a higher gift. He also wanted these Philippians to understand that he was not dependent on them for his livelihood. He was dependent on Christ alone. His ministry would not fold up or his life come to an end if they had not sent the gift. His ministry did not depend on people or circumstances but on the Lord. NOTE. There are many who call themselves ministers of the gospel who are bleeding people of money for their own selfish ends. There are crooks even in the ministry, and they should be exposed for what they are- shysters.

For I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. -- v. 12b.

Notice that Paul said he learned contentment. Contentment does not come naturally and it takes time to learn it. He learned godly contentment, not human contentment. He learned to be content with nothing in the realm of physical needs. It is against all human nature to be content with very little in life (1 Tim. 6:6-10: But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some

2 people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.). NOTE. Paul had been a Christian for over thirty years when he made this statement. IT took years for him to come to the divine viewpoint about contentment in all circumstances.

Paul is not speaking about human contentment which may arise from an attitude of indifference. Someone who is a bum and just loafing around may be humanly, outwardly content. Paul is not talking about complacency or idleness with no ambition. He is referring to an inward contentment.

The word “contentment” can be translated “self-sufficient.” Paul is not referring to a self-sufficiency where every man is some kind of an island and a self-made person. But he is referring to a godly contentment or a godly self-sufficiency in that a person does not have to look to happy, pleasing and rewarding circumstances for contentment. It is a self-sufficiency where one has independence over external circumstances. Paul learned to cope with every circumstance good and bad. If Paul had to look to pleasing circumstances for contentment, he would have never written the Book of Philippians. The whole thrust in this tiny epistle is that Paul does not depend upon external circumstances for contentment in life. When Paul wrote this letter, he was in jail. Some were preaching against him. Others were trying to make him jealous. Just about all the Christians in Rome had turned against him. He was awaiting trial in which the outcome could be his very life as he would be executed as a criminal of the State. NOTE. The word “contentment” or “self-sufficient” was a very popular word among the pagan Stoics of that day. Their philosophy taught that a man should be self-sufficient in all things in his own strength. He should strive to the utmost of his might, by the arm of the flesh, to submit to situations without grumbling. Yet, it was by gritting his teeth and a grin and bear it attitude. What Paul is talking about is something quite different than pure stoicism. Paul’s contentment came from within not without. As Paul will tell us in verse thirteen, his sufficiency was not in himself but in Christ. NOTE. Godly contentment is not just a resignation to circumstances. If we can change our circumstances, we should do it if we sense the leading of the Lord to do it. However, if we can’t change them we must learn to live with them. A person with cancer should avail himself of the best doctors, but if the cancer is incurable, then he must submit to the sovereign will of God. A woman may have an unsaved husband and she should do all she can to see her mate saved, but, if he does not come around for Christ, she must make the best of her circumstances under the sovereign purposes of God. A man may try to change jobs, if he is not happy with his work, but if it doesn’t happen, then he must submit to God’s design for his life. Godly contentment comes when we cannot change the circumstances, and we rest our case in a sovereign God who does all things right and well. NOTE. Paul learned to be content when he could not change the circumstances. Paul’s situation reminds me of a story. There was a fellow who had a nice crop of grass. Then one day it became infested with dandelions. He tried everything he knew to get rid of them but nothing worked. Finally he wrote to a famous college which had an outstanding school of agriculture for advice. Their answer was the suggestion he learn to love dandelions! This was Paul’s situation. He was learning to love his circumstances because he understood they were somehow part of the school of hard knocks in his sanctification process.

I know what it is to be in need, -- v. 12c. -- Paul says he knew the feeling of being humbled through poverty. NOTE. Paul does not condemn poverty as though it were some great social evil. There is no sin in being broke. Often God uses these circumstances to teach us contentment and our complete

3 need of Jesus Christ in all circumstances. We must learn our adequacy and sufficiency is not in things but in Christ alone.

And I know what it is to have plenty. -- v. 12d. – Paul also knew what it was like to have an abundance of physical blessings. NOTE. The Apostle Paul was not against people having money and material things, for he says that he at times abounded in material possessions. There is nothing inherently wrong or sinful about having money. It is the love of money which is sinful, for in this state a person becomes obsessed with things. In one respect it is harder to be content in the midst of plenty than in the midst of poverty, for prosperity breeds greediness (a lust for more). It is in prosperity that many people give up in despair and end their lives in suicide. Why? As they were climbing the ladder, they looked for contentment in gaining things. Each circumstance of life was supposed to bring contentment and satisfaction but did not. When they reached the top, there were no more world’s to conquer, no more things they could not have but they could not find contentment, so they took their lives sensing there was no real meaning to life. Even the rich, the powerful, the influential must learn that contentment is in God not circumstances or their lives will end in real tragedy. NOTE. For those to whom God has sovereignly given wealth, there is a great responsibility to handle their riches for Christ and His kingdom (1 Tim. 6:17-19: Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealthy, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.).

I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, -- v. 12e -- The word “learned” really means “initiated.” It was used in the initiation of new members into the mystery religions of that day. They were instructed, initiated into the hidden, secret mysteries of the society. Christians must learn the wonderful secret of contentment among every conceivable type of circumstance. The secret is resting in Christ, for every situation has a divine plan behind it and a precious spiritual lesson for us to learn.

H. G. Spafford, an attorney during the 1871 era, was a great Christian and friend of Dwight L. Moody. After the Chicago fire, Spafford sent his family to England and planned to join them later when they would tour Europe. On the way over, the ship carrying his family sank. His three daughters were killed. His wife survived and cabled him from Wales saying, “I survived alone.” He left immediately to go to her side and crossed directly over the area where his daughters had drowned. As he did, God gave him insight and inspiration to write the lyrics to the great hymn, It Is Well With My Soul: “When peace, like a river, attendeth my way, When sorrows like sea billows roll; Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say, “It is well, it is well with my soul.” Spafford had what Paul had – godly contentment from Christ alone.

Whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or want -- v. 12f -- Paul again reiterates that he personally knew plenty and poverty. He knew hunger, thirst, cold, nakedness, physical suffering, mental torture and persecution. In it all, he found contentment.

4 There is also the false contentment we must deal with at times in our lives. This false contentment is due to fear, laziness and apathy. We rationalize we are content when we really are selfish in our own little world. We need God to blast us out of this false contentment.

I can do everything through him who gives me strength. -- v. 13 (http://www.cleartheology.com/expo/40Philippians/Philippians%2020.html).

Now Paul reveals to us the source of his contentment or self-sufficiency. That source is Jesus Christ. Christ becomes a fountain of infinite strength, enabling him to cope with the various situations of life.

When Paul says, “I can do everything through Christ,” obviously this must be taken in context. A Christian cannot lift the Empire State Building in New York or fly to the moon without a spacesuit. The “everything” refers in context to adjusting to any and every kind of situation that may arise. When things are prosperous or calamitous, gracious or anxious, Christ is able to strengthen the Christian.

Some have translated this verse, “I am strong for all things in Christ who infuses strength into me.” Others translate it, “I can do all things through Christ who keeps on pouring power into me.” What was Paul’s secret? Christ in me! Paul’s secret of contentment was found in drawing upon the strength of Christ who lived in him. Whatever the difficult circumstances, or high requirements of God, or even the menial tasks of life, Paul could accomplish them through Christ. NOTE. Perhaps the Amplified New Testament states this verse as well as any: “I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me—I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me, (that is, I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency).”

Think of Paul’s assertion and contrast it with many Christians today. Paul’s way of life is the normal Christian life… but it is not the life of the normal Christian. Most Christians live sub-normal lives. They are “I can’t Christians.” “I can’t get along with my husband!” “I can’t get along with my wife!” “I can’t get along with anybody!” “I can’t control my temper!” “I can’t have contentment in a job situation such as mine!” “I can’t break some habit.” And so it goes… I can’t, I can’t, I can’t. The Apostle Paul was an “I CAN” Christian. That means any and every Christian can be an “I CAN” Christian. Jay Adams says that the one thing a Christian CANNOT do is say, “I can’t.” You can be an “I CAN” Christian because the Bible says so. You can do all things through Christ.

What then was Paul’s secret? He moved into a deep personal relationship with Jesus Christ in his daily experience. Any Christian can have the same experience as Paul in contentment but it takes time, plus experience, plus trust to reach the plain of Christian experience that Paul attained. But this can be our experience in degrees as we trust more and more in Christ.

Perhaps you are thinking that Christ will not give you strength for your particular situation, or that He cannot work or will not work in your circumstance to give you contentment. You must not reason as did Benjamin Franklin who said, “Who is rich? He that is content. Who is that? Nobody!” Christians

5 can find contentment in Christ in spite of what Benjamin Franklin said. Christians can find strength in Christ for every situation. When you think you can’t, you need the exhortation that God gave Jeremiah: “I am the LORD, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me” (Jer. 32:27)? The God who created the universe, who opened the Red Sea, who raised Jesus from the dead, can surely empower you with the strength to do all things.

Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. -- v. 14.

The Philippian Church had sent the Apostle Paul a financial gift in order to aid him while in prison and to help with his ministry in any way they could. Paul had just told them that his sufficiency and adequacy were in Christ. He said, “I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” In essence, he told them he did not need their gift. If they had not met the need, Christ would have met it some other way. It was almost rude. But now he thanks them for their interest in him and the gospel, for they were God’s vehicle to meet his need. NOTE. While Christ will meet every need we have, it is still a nice gesture to thank someone either verbally or in writing when a gift is received. Sometimes it is hard to write a thank you note because it is more difficult to be a gracious receiver than a gracious giver.

Notice Paul said they “shared” in his troubles. Paul was rejoicing because they fellowshipped or shared with Paul in the ministry. They were partners with him in the gospel. They considered it a great privilege to give to Paul and the cause of Christ. They wanted to give. They were excited about giving. They were honored that God had given them the grace to give. It was a noble and beautiful thing for these Philippians to share their material things with Paul. These folks were anxious to give. They did not have to be begged (2 Cor. 9:7: Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.). They were motivated by love for Christ and love for Paul. Someone has said, “You may give without loving, but you can’t love without giving.” NOTE. Our willingness to give as Christians may be used as one thermometer to test our true spirituality.

15 And you Philippians know that in the early days of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving except you alone. 16 For even in Thessalonica you sent gifts for my need several times. 17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the profit[e]that is increasing to your account. 18 But I have received everything in full, and I have an abundance. I am fully supplied,[f] having received from Epaphroditus what you provided—a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. 19 And my God will supply all your needs according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 20 Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.

Jack Arnold’s commentary on these verses continues in the following paragraphs:

6 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 matters 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. -- vv. 15-16 (http://www.cleartheology.com/expo/40Philippians/Philippians%2020.html). This young, vibrant local church had a missionary vision for the whole world, and were ready, when other churches were not, to give to this cause. NOTE. No local church is on a biblical foundation without a strong missionary emphasis. A local church must sacrifice to see the Great Commission filled in any given generation. Jesus said, “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation” (Mk. 16:15). NOTE. There is a sense in which it is not enough to pray for the lost. We must also pay for them by sending missionaries, if we are going to reach them and win them to Christ.

Boy and Father. Dr. G. Campbell Morgan tells of visiting the home of a very wealthy Christian man and on one occasion, at family prayers in the morning, the man prayed tenderly and eloquently for the missionaries and the heathen. When he had finished, his teenage son said to him, “Dad, I like to hear you pray for missionaries.” His dad said, “Well, son, I am glad to hear that.” And the boys said, “But do you know what I was thinking while you were praying? I thought, ‘If I had your bank book, I would answer half your prayers.’”

Notice the Philippians were a unique church even for the first century. If you took one-hundred churches which call themselves Baptists, Presbyterians, Methodists, Lutherans or whatever, ninety of them would not be uniquely mission-minded. It is unique to be a part of a church which is committed to world evangelism.

These Philippians sent several gifts to Paul, showing their interest and eagerness in missions. They were repeatedly involved in seeing the gospel go all over the world.

Again we see how the Philippians “shared” with Paul. This means “fellowshipped” or “became partners.” They were partners with Paul in the ministry. NOTE. By giving to missionaries who are in Africa, Europe or South America today, we are partners with them in the gospel. This is a fantastic motivation for giving to missions and missionaries. This may sound a warning to us that we should be partners in missionary endeavors with those who truly believe and preach the gospel of Christ. We need to align ourselves with those who believe the fundamental doctrines of the Faith. We must never become partners with the liberals and unbelievers in world evangelism.

It should be pointed out that this gift was from the whole Philippian Church. Individuals did not support Paul but it was a total effort by the local church. The biblical principle seems to be that local churches not individuals are to carry out giving to missions and missionaries.

Not that I am looking for a gift, but I am looking for what may be credited to your account. -- v. 17.

When Paul says, “Not that I am looking for a gift, he wants to assure them that he is not begging for their money, or that his ministry would have folded up if they had not sent the gift. His ministry was

7 based squarely on Christ and His ability to meet Paul’s need. No one could accuse Paul of being “money-mad” in the ministry.

The real motive behind Paul’s receiving the gift was that there might be spiritual fruit or profit; that is, that people might be saved. This could better be translated, “But I am looking for the profit which increases to your account.” To see people trust Christ and living for Him is the ultimate end of all Christian missionary effort. There is no sacrifice too big to even see one person trust Jesus Christ. NOTE. What Paul is saying is that every gift to the Lord’s work results in many spiritual dividends. This is laying up treasure in heaven. When we give to the Lord’s work, it is like depositing money in God’s bank and that money is going to draw interest in the salvation of souls. Each time we give to the Lord’s work, we are making a spiritual investment which should bring in spiritual profit. Therefore, beloved, invest wisely in the Lord’s work. Put your money where it is going to earn the most spiritual profit.

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. -- v. 18.

Paul again commends them for the gift and said it was payment in full. In essence, he is saying, “you have met your obligations and then some.” These gifts to Paul were an act of worship on the part of the Philippians. These gifts were “a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God.” These sacrificial gifts were given out of a pure heart that loved God and wanted to see His kingdom furthered in this world. NOTE. In the Old Testament, believers offered up physical, animal sacrifices. In the New Testament, believers offer sacrifices but they are spiritual in nature. As a believer-priest, the Christian is to offer his spiritual sacrifice of money to God (Heb. 13:15-16: Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that confess his name. And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.). Only God knows the true motive of the heart in giving. God always wants us to give as an act of praise and worship. Someone has said, “Some people give according to their means and others according to their meanness.”

There was this farmer who discovered that his favorite cow had given birth to twin calves, one white and the other black. He said to his wife, “You know, dear, I think we ought to give one of these calves to the Lord. We will raise one for ourselves and give one to the Lord who has given us this unexpected blessing.” She said, “Which one are you going to give to the Lord?” “Well,” he said, “I haven’t decided yet. We’ll treat them alike and feed them the same and when it comes time to market them we will then decide which one to give to the Lord.” So he fed the calves, took care of them, and they grew through the summer. Then one day he came into the house looking miserable, and his wife said, “What is the matter?” “Oh,” he said, “A terrible thing has happened. The Lord’s calf has died.” She said, “But I thought you hadn’t chosen yet which one it was.” “Oh, yes,” he said, “All the time I was thinking that the white calf would be the Lord’s, and it was the Lord’s calf that died.” POINT: It is easy to rationalize our financial commitments to the Lord when it is really going to cost us something.

And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. -- v. 19.

8 And my God will meet all your needs -- v. 19a. – This is a great promise. It involves the reciprocity of sufficiency. These Philippians had undoubtedly given from their meager resources. They were not wealthy people. Paul is saying to them, “My God will reimburse you. He will supply all your needs. Since you supplied my needs, God will supply yours. NOTE. This verse makes it clear that God will supply the Christian’s needs. He doesn’t promise to meet our wants but our needs – food, clothing, housing and other things which are absolutely necessary for living. He does not say a Christian may not go through some hard times and have to skip a meal now and then. Needs and wants can often get all scrambled up in the Christian’s mind, especially in our materialistic society. Wants and needs deal with motivations. “People are funny; they spend money they don’t have, to buy things they don’t need, to impress folks they don’t like.” NOTE. Also it should be noted that while God always meets our needs, He often goes beyond those needs to lavishly meet our wants because He is a faithful, loving, concerned God (Prov. 3:9-10: Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the first-fruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine. Prov. 11:24-25: One man gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed. 2 Cor. 9:10-11: Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.). These verses do not guarantee God will make every Christian, who gives liberally, rich, but they do indicate blessing for the faithful giver to the Lord. So, if you want, give! Why? Because you can’t out give God! NOTE. The promise God will meet every need must be put into the context of Philippians 4:14-19. God does not meet the needs of every Christian indiscriminately but every Christian who is faithfully giving to God’s work. Because the Philippians had been generous, had given liberally and even sacrificed greatly, Paul assured them God would meet every financial need they had. The promise to meet all needs is conditioned on obedience to faithful giving (2 Cor. 9:6: Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.).

Sometimes the best illustrations are those we have experienced ourselves. I have now been a Christian over 35 years and have seen God meet my needs or the needs of my family in hundreds of ways. I would like to pick out several cases for which I have no human explanation except God meets needs supernaturally.

The first case is when I went to seminary. I was a new Christian. My parents had rejected my Christianity and were antagonistic to me. My father said he would support me if I went and received a doctorate in Physical Education but if I went to seminary he would not give me a dime. He is a man true to his word. I trusted God to meet my needs and went to seminary by faith. Three months before I went to seminary, a very wealthy woman in Texas called me over to her home and said, “God has laid it upon my heart to start supporting men who feel the call to the ministry while they are going to seminary. God has indicated to me that you are one of these young men.” She supplied monies for me to go to seminary and help me support my family for seven years while I received my education. God supplies needs.

9 The second case is when I was in seminary. Carol and I had two children and one week we ran completely out of money. We needed milk for the babies and gas to go to a church where I was teaching Sunday school. I went to my mailbox at the seminary just after it closed on Saturday sure God would supply my needs but there was no money. Sunday morning I got up and asked God to get me to this church for I knew we had no gas. I made it to the church which was about ten miles away on fumes. For some reason, I was about a half an hour early and this church was about two blocks from the seminary. I decided to walk and pray and God seemed to impress me that I was to go to my mailbox at seminary. I argued with God because I had been there just after the mailroom closed on Saturday and there was nothing in it. I went to my mailbox and in it were two one dollar bills. I took one dollar and bought gas to get home and took the other dollar and bought milk for the kids. What a fantastic need God met and such wonderful timing. I’m still convinced that God put that money in the mailbox because there is no human explanation as to how it got there. To me this event is just as significant as having my way paid thought seminary. God supplies needs!

According to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. -- v. 19b. – God meets the needs of Christians “according to” not “out of” His riches. God meets needs proportionately to His own riches which are infinite. The source of God’s bank account is His own riches in glory. The God who owns the gold in every mine and the cattle on a thousand hills can meet the needs of all His children who dare to be faithful givers. NOTE. We have no guarantee God will meet our needs if we are not giving to Him faithfully (although He may). But we do have the guarantee He will meet the needs of all who are faithfully giving to the Lord’s work.

To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. -- v. 20a. – Paul concludes his letter with his first doxology, exalting, magnifying and glorifying God for all things. Paul was praising God and giving Him the glory due His name for the privilege of being a Christian and suffering for Christ, for at that very moment he was in a Roman prison and chained to a guard 24 hours a day. Paul was praising God for the Philippians, for the gift they sent him and for his own circumstances. Paul was fulfilling the very purpose of God – to bring glory to God whatever the circumstances. Man’s chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever. Surely Paul did not like being in jail, but he knew there was a purpose for it in God’s plan for his life. NOTE. Why could Paul give God the glory for all things? Because he had a spiritual relationship with God the Father. He had a biblical concept of God and a personal fellowship with Him.

Paul Understood God’s Sovereignty. Paul understood in his experience the truth that God is sovereign over all things, and that his puny, human will was insignificant when compared to God’s will. Paul’s concept of God came from the Old Testament scriptures (1 Chron. 29:11-12: Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, O LORD, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all. Wealth and honor come form you; you are the ruler of all things. In yours hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all. 2 Chron. 20:6: O LORD, God of our fathers, are you not the God who is in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. Power and might are in your hand, and no one can withstand you.). Paul knew God had control of all nations, even the Roman emperor (Isa. 40:15, 17, 22-23: Surely the nations are like a drop in a bucket; they are regarded as dust on the scales; he weighs the islands as though they were fine dust. Before him all the nations are as nothing; they are

10 regarded by him as worthless and less than nothing. He is enthroned above the circle of the earth, and its people are like grasshoppers. He brings princes to naught and reduces the rulers of this world to nothing.). He realized God does as He pleases with men, even Paul (Psa. 115:3: Our God is in heaven; he does whatever pleases him.). NOTE. God is sovereign. His will supreme. He is under no law and is a law to Himself, so that whatever God does is right. It is a serious matter to call God’s sovereignty into question. NOTE. Before God, presidents and popes, kings and emperors, dictators and councils are less than grasshoppers. aul Understood God’s Character. God in His character is both sovereign and love. These two attributes of God must be kept in balance or we will become unbalanced as Christians. NOTE. One of the reasons Christians do not have the same attitude towards circumstances, as did Paul, is that their God is too small. Men think God is like they are but it is not so (Psa. 50:21: You thought I was altogether like you.). There is none like God who is absolute sovereignty and absolute love (Exo. 15:11; Who among the gods is like you, O LORD? Who is like you—majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders?). Our responsibility as Christians is to get to know the God of the Bible and enter into fellowship with Him (Jer. 9:23-24: Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom or the strong man boast of his strength or the rich man boast of his riches, but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight, declares the LORD.). Martin Luther once said to the humanist Erasmus, “You thoughts of God are too human.”

Paul realized that if God controlled nations then surely God controlled his circumstances. And for sure, fellow Christian, the God who controls the nations also controls your circumstances. This is true whether you believe it or not, but when you believe it, it gives a great peace and comfort to the ups and downs of life.

Paul Understood God’s Compassion. Paul also came to know God as a personal God, one of love, compassion and mercy. God is a loving Father. He also received this concept from the Old Testament scripture (Neh. 9:17, 31: But you are a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love….But in your great mercy you did not put an end to them or abandon them for you are a gracious and merciful God. Psa. 103:8: The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.). The God who had control of Paul’s circumstances also cared for him in a very special, personal way.

Amen. – This means “I affirm” or “I believe.” This response was not an intellectual concept or a superficial confession from the lips. It was a spontaneous utterance of a heart redeemed by grace and captivated by God’s grace. Paul believed God really did exist. He knew his God and lived daily by faith in His sovereignty and compassion. Paul did not live as though God did not exist. NOTE. What about you, Christian, do you live with the reality that God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life? Can you honestly say “Amen” to God’s sovereignty and compassion? Can you say “I believe” or “I affirm” God’s glory in my life? Do you live your life as though God really exists (http://www.cleartheology.com/expo/40Philippians/Philippians%2021.html)?

Theological Application:

Dr. J. Ligon Duncan gives us the following thoughts on this passage in his sermon entitled, “Content in Every Situation:”

Now let me invite you to take your Bibles in hand and turn with me to Philippians 4, as we have drawn almost to the end of this great letter. The amazing passage that we are going to read today contains three of the most well-known and beloved phrases or sentences in the whole letter.

Look at Philippians 4:11, 13, and 19:

“I have learned to be content in whatever circumstance I am.” (Phil. 4:11.) “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” (Phil. 4:13.) “My God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 4:19.) All of this in Paul's closing words; he's closing it down, and we get this. All three of these words focus in on one theme, the theme of contentment, and that's what we're going to be looking at together today.

Now, beautiful as those words are, if you have been reading this passage to yourself during the week in preparation to hear God's word today and you've been reading this final word to the Philippians, you might get the wrong impression from Paul's language. If you’re paying close attention to what Paul says to the Philippians about not needing what they have sent him, about waiting a long time since the last time he received something from them, you could get the idea that Paul is being downright rude to the Philippians, that he's being snarky and complaining about the fact that the Philippians have not sent him a gift in a long time; or that now, having received that gift, he doesn't really need it; or, really, it's more important that they gave the gift than that he got a gift. It could come across as ungrateful. If you’re reading the passage that way,

12 you’re reading it wrongly! That's not what Paul is doing. Paul in this passage is doing three things simultaneously.

First of all, he's saying thank you, and we know how genuine he is about this because he started this letter all the way back in chapter 1, verse 5, saying thank you to the Philippians for their generosity. In fact, we said that Paul is almost embarrassed that the Philippians have been so generous with him.

Have you ever been getting ready to go on a short term mission work or engage in some form of ministry, and somebody who you know makes less than you gives you a gift to do that ministry? You know, they pull out that ten dollar bill, or that ten dollar bill and that five dollar bill, or that twenty dollar bill, and they give you a gift, and you’re sitting there knowing ‘This person is not in as good shape to give this kind of gift as I am, and yet this person is giving me this gift.’ It's a humbling thing to receive that kind of gift, and that's the kind of situation that Paul is in here. It's not that Paul's rolling in the dough — he's not! But he does know that this congregation is exceedingly poor and exceedingly generous at the same time, and it's almost embarrassing to receive a gift from them.

So you can be sure that when the Apostle Paul thanks them he really means it, because he knows this congregation. They are less able than any other congregation in Macedonia to give him support, and yet he's going to say later on in this passage they have been the only congregation to stick by him throughout his ministry. Even when he was in Thessalonica with people that could have supported him more easily than the Philippians, it was the Philippians that were supporting his ministry in Thessalonica. My friends, on Judgment Day don't you want to be standing in the midst of a congregation that has supported its ministers and missionaries that way? So that they can say, ‘Let me tell you what…these folks stuck with me through thick and thin, when everybody else forgot me, to Your glory.’

So that's the first thing that Paul wants to do. He genuinely wants to thank the Philippians.

But the second thing he wants to make sure that the Philippians don't misunderstand is he's not asking them to send some more. Have you ever gotten a thank-you letter from somebody that you’re supporting in ministry, and the subtext of the letter was “Thank you for sending the money you just sent. Could you please send some more?” And the Apostle Paul wants to make it clear: ‘That's not what I'm doing.

13 I'm not lavishly thanking you so that you’ll send me more.’ In fact, he makes it clear: ‘Look, what you've sent, it's fine. It's more than enough. I don't need any more. I'm in great shape. The gift that you sent by Epaphroditus — it got here. I am fine. Please don't hear my thank-you to be me begging you for more money or more support. That's not whaAre you content? Right where you are now, right in your life situation? Are you content? Have you learned the secret of contentment? You know, somebody was distracted during note-taking this morning and they missed the secret of contentment. They didn't have it in their notes, and they grabbed you by the collar as you’re going out the door… “Well, what was it?” In one sentence could you say you know what it is, you know where it comes from. Or are you one of those honest people that populate the pews who, in the quietness of your heart and in the solitariness of your room, you look in the mirror in the bathroom and you look at yourself and you say, “No, I'm not content. I still haven't found what I'm looking for. I've not arrived at contentment. I'm not living in contentment. I'm struggling in ‘the summer of my discontent’ right now”? Well, I've got good news for you. Precisely because you are where you are, Paul has a word especially for you today. And in this passage he teaches us five things about gospel contentment. He teaches us about the need for contentment, about the nature of contentment, about the secret of contentment, about the song of contentment, and about the gratefulness of contentment, and I want to look at those five things with you today.t I'm doing.’ So Paul wants to make it very clear: ‘I'm not asking you for more. What you've sent is more than enough.’

But along with this, Paul wants to do a third thing in Philippians 4:10-20. He wants to teach the Philippians something vitally important about the Christian life. He wants to teach yet another huge lesson in the Christian life, and that lesson is a lesson that Paul has learned and it's a lesson that he wants the Philippians to learn, and that they especially need to learn because of their poverty. It is a lesson about contentment.

Are you content? Right where you are now, right in your life situation? Are you content? Have you learned the secret of contentment? You know, somebody was distracted during note-taking this morning and they missed the secret of contentment. They didn't have it in their notes, and they grabbed you by the collar as you’re going out the door… “Well, what was it?” In one sentence could you say you know what it is, you know where it comes from. Or are you one of those honest people that populate the pews who, in the quietness of your heart and in the solitariness of your room, you look in the mirror in the bathroom and you look at yourself and you say, “No, I'm not content. I still haven't found what I'm looking for. I've not arrived at contentment. I'm not living in contentment. I'm struggling in ‘the summer of my discontent’ right now”? Well, I've got good news for you. Precisely because you are where you are, Paul has a word 14 especially for you today. And in this passage he teaches us five things about gospel contentment. He teaches us about the need for contentment, about the nature of contentment, about the secret of contentment, about the song of contentment, and about the gratefulness of contentment, and I want to look at those five things with you today. I. God wants His people to be content.

The first thing is the need for contentment. Paul is concerned that Christians understand that God wants them to be content. God desires His people to live in a state of contentment, and so Paul is first, in verse 11, going to speak of the need for and the importance of gospel contentment. Listen to what he says (verse 11): “Not that I am speaking of need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am …” [what?] “…to be content.” He is commending to the Philippians his state of contentment, and he is saying to them that he wants them to be content; that God wants them to live in a state of contentment. In other words, Paul is saying here Christians are to be content — and Paul talks about this all the time.

Think of II Corinthians 12:10, where he says, “For the sake of Christ then, I am content.” Now listen to the circumstance in which he says this: I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. Now you may be thinking, ‘Paul, you need to see a psychiatrist if you’re content with that!’ But for Paul it's very important, and he follows up by saying what? “For when I am weak, then I am strong.” And in I Timothy 6:6-8, he says,

“Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment, for we brought nothing into the world and we cannot take anything out of the world, but if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.”

Contentment is a big deal for Paul. He taught his student, the author of Hebrews — maybe it was Apollos — this truth, and in Hebrews 13:5, the author of that great book says,

“Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for He has said, ‘I will never leave you or forsake you.’”

Paul…the Bible…God is concerned for Christians to be content. It is a significant, important need for the Christian life.

15 II. The nature of contentment.

Now it's very important that you understand the nature of this contentment as well, because there are all sorts of theories about contentment out there and how you attain contentment; but Paul, in verse 11, tells you something else about the nature of the contentment. Look at what he says at the end of verse 11: “For I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.” Did you catch that? “For I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.” Isn't that an encouragement?

There are three encouragements in verse 11 for you with regard to contentment. The first encouragement is this: Paul had to learn how to be content! Is that great, or what? Paul didn't just see Jesus and become content! Paul had to learn how to be content. That means there's hope for you and me! If we are not living in a state of contentment, join the club! Paul had to learn contentment!

The second encouragement is this: Contentment is not innate to Christian experience, it is learned. You don't just trust Jesus and suddenly get content. Oh, yes, there is a certain kind of contentment that comes immediately when we trust in Jesus Christ, but there are battles of contentment to fight all the time, and we don't just become content because we come to Christ. We have to learn contentment. That's encouraging! If you’re struggling with contentment, that's incredibly encouraging.

But here's what I want you to see, maybe more than anything else. It's the third encouragement: You are more apt to seek and find real gospel contentment when you sense your lack of it than you are to seek and find real gospel contentment when your circumstances are providing you a greater measure of contentment.

Do you hear that? You are more likely to find real contentment when you realize your lack of real contentment than if you are in a circumstance in life where your situation provides you with such comforts that you are not thinking about your lack of the real thing.

This is why Jesus said that it is hard for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of heaven. Why? Because the rich man can mistake circumstantial contentment for gospel contentment. He can mistake a superficial temporal contentment with a deep and permanent and eternal contentment, and he cannot seek real contentment because he

16 doesn't sense his lack of real contentment, because he's in circumstances that make him content.

So here's what I'm saying to you, my friends. If you’re out there sitting in the pew saying, “Yes, Ligon, I am deeply discontent,” I've got good news for you. You are more likely to seek real contentment and find it than someone who is content in his or her circumstances.

And my friends, do you understand then why it is so deadly what the “health and wealth” preachers are saying around you? They’re saying, ‘Look, God wants you to be affluent. God wants you to have stuff.’

Now what's so deadly about that? Very often it is precisely the stuff and the affluence that does what? It blinds us to the real thing, and so God in His kindness takes away the stuff and puts us in hard life circumstances and situations so that we realize, ‘You know, Lord, I really don't have gospel contentment. But, boy, do I want it!’ Do you see how kind it is of God to do that to us? To pull the chair out from under us, to take our legs out from under us, so — what? So that for the first time in our lives we’ll realize that we don't have the real thing, and we’ll want it, and so we will accept no substitute.

That means, dear friends, sisters in Christ in this congregation, if you've ever looked across the table at your husband or you've leaned into his shoulder as you’re sitting on the bed before you go to sleep at night, and you've said to him, “You know, if I could just have one good friend who loved me and cared about me…honey, don't get me wrong. I know you love me, but I need a girlfriend! I need someone that I can talk to that understands me, and will share life with me and encourage me. I'm so alone.” Or if, husbands, you've ever looked across the breakfast table at your wife and said, “Honey, I hate what I'm doing in life. It pays the bills, puts clothes on your back, puts food in your mouth and in the stomachs of the kids, gives us a place to live…make good money…hate it! Hate getting up in the morning. Can't wait till the time comes for me to go home at night. I hate what I'm doing! I can't stand it, and I'm miserable. I'm not content with where I am, and I don't know what to do because I don't know where I can provide for you like I'm providing for you now, but I don't want to keep on doing what I'm doing.” Or maybe it's your finances. Bill collectors are calling, and the bills aren't adding up to the income. And month after month you feel like you’re just slipping deeper and deeper, and you’re deeply dissatisfied and discontent with where you are.

17 Maybe it's your marriage. You don't say it to your spouse, but you do in the dark of the night, and you look up to heaven and you say, ‘Lord, this is not where I thought I would be. This is not what I thought I was buying into. This is not the dream of my heart as a child for my marriage.’

Or maybe it's just your life situation. Friends, I want you to understand. If that's where you are, if you’re there, you are poised for a great discovery, and that is that your contentment doesn't come from those things, and those things cannot stop the contentment of God. Your contentment — and that's what we're going to learn next — is non-circumstantial. If you are after God-contentment, if you are after gospel contentment, if you are after real contentment, the first thing you learn about it is it's non-circumstantial.

Jeremiah Burroughs’ little book The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment is waiting for you in the Learning Resource Center. You can check it out, or you can go by this week and buy it. Short book, small pages…couple of hundred pages. Don't read it fast. Read it slow, and pray through it slowly over the next six months. It's the most helpful little book I know on this subject: Jeremiah Burroughs’ The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment.

I hope Ann won't kill me for saying this, but I like to read through little books like this. And many years ago at the beginning of our marriage I thought, “Well, this would be a fun book to read through with Ann.” This was not a stealth book recommendation: “Hmmm…Ann has contentment issues, so we’ll read this as our family devotion.” It was not! I'd never read the book before, Derek kept telling me what a great book it was; I thought it would be good to read with Ann. And so Ann said, “Well, what are we going to read together?” “Well, I thought we’d read The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment,” and Ann said, “Oh, no! Not contentment!”

You are more apt to seek real gospel contentment and find it if you’re here this morning and you don't have it than if you are here this morning fat with the circumstantial contentment of this world. That is really, really good news.

III. The secret of contentment.

Now, so what's the secret? You've been waiting for that part! You were going to skip all the other notes…that one you weren't going to miss! Here it is. It's simple. He

18 tells you in verses 11-13…second half of verse 11, down to verse 13. Listen to what he says:

“For I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.”

So what has he told you so far? He's telling you that his contentment does not come from his circumstances; that they do not contribute to or detract from the gospel contentment that he enjoys. That's still not the secret. That sets you up to hear the secret, but it's still not the secret. He's just telling you, ‘The kind of contentment I'm talking about is not from circumstances.’

It's real interesting. There are many forms of Buddhism. In fact, all forms of Buddhism are really concerned that you cultivate contentment. But interestingly, one significant brand of Buddhism says the way you cultivate contentment is you lower your expectations. That's how you cultivate contentment. That's the secret. Lowered expectations. And Paul's telling you at the outset, “Wrong! Not the source of contentment. Contentment doesn't come from circumstances or your lowered expectations of those circumstances. Contentment, gospel contentment, real contentment comes from someplace else.” Where? He tells you in verse 13. Verse 13 is the secret of contentment: “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.”

In other words, here it is, friends. The secret of contentment is God's providence apprehended by your soul…the secret of contentment is God's providence apprehended by your soul. It's not just the doctrine of God's providence, though you've got to understand the doctrine before you can experience contentment. It's not just the doctrine of God's providence taught to you. It is the doctrine of providence; it is the God of providence embraced by your soul so that you believe it. Gospel contentment rests on a deep personal doctrinal experiential embrace of God's providence.

Now notice what Paul is not saying in verse 13. He's not saying you can do anything. He's not coming to me, a middle-aged pudgy guy, and saying, ‘You can win the 100-meter sprint in China this summer at the Olympics.’ That is a lark! He is saying, ‘Ligon, anything that I ask you to do and anyplace where I put you, you can be content and thrive. Because I'm the one who strengthens you.’

19 Don't you love the way Al Chestnut…he catches you off guard when he says it. He says, “Always remember that God will never call you to do…” and then what are you waiting for him to say? “That God will never call you to do something that He won't help you do.” That's what you’re waiting for him to say: God will never call you to do something that He won't…. (Now he wouldn't deny that that's true, but he really catches you.) Here's what he says: “God will never call you to do something that you can do.” He will never call you to do something that you can do. He will only call you to do what you can't do without Him. And Paul's saying, ‘I've learned that. I can do nothing in and of myself, but I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.’ There is the secret of contentment.

Now, my friends, it will take you years to work that truth deep down into your bones so that it is your default setting, but that is the secret of contentment. The battle is of course getting it into the heart so that it dominates all of your circumstances, so that it is like Mount Everest towering above the piddling little molehills of your circumstances, however big, however real, however heart-breaking they are. The secret of contentment is a deep, personal, doctrinal, experiential embrace of God's providence.

IV. The song of contentment.

Now, contentment has a song. Contentment has a song. You know, some of you have theme songs for things that happened in your life. You know, you've broken up with a really bad boyfriend or girlfriend, and you've got a theme song. Oh, yeah! You might have thought that nobody else knew about your theme song, but I saw you sing it in your car! “I'm still standin’…da-da-da-da-da!” [Laughter] “Hit me with your best shot…da-da-da” —you've got a theme song!

And some of you, you've been in groups that have a theme song. You know, you've gone through something together in life and it's deeply molded you together in that group. That group…you are thicker than thieves for the rest of your life, and sometimes there are songs associated with that. There are songs that when you hear them on the radio or you start to sing them, all sorts of things come flooding back, and you remember what you went through with that set of friends. You've got theme songs for groups and friends and seasons of your life. Well, contentment has a theme song, and the lyrics are written down in verse 19. Here's the theme song of contentment:

20 “My God will supply every need of yours according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”

How many of you were growing up in the seventies, and you remember at youth group or at Young Life or some other place, singing, “Jehovah Jireh, my provider, His grace is sufficient for me? My God will supply all my needs according to His riches in glory. He gives His angels charge over me. Jehovah Jireh cares for me…for me…for me. Jehovah Jireh: the God who sees, the God who cares, the God who undertakes, the God of providence — Jehovah Jireh cares for me.” Well, my friends, that's the theme song of contentment. The song of contentment is, ‘My God, I believe that Your supply of my needs is more real than the air that I'm breathing right now. I believe that Your supply of all my needs is more real than the food that I eat. I believe that Your supply of my needs is more real than the skin that I'm in. I believe that Your supply of my needs is more real, more lasting, than any circumstance that I'm in right now. That's my theme song.’ And until the truth of God's providence has worked deep down into our hearts so that is the reflex reaction the minute that we're in any difficult circumstances of life, we haven't yet apprehended the secret of contentment in the way that we need to.

V. Contentment is grateful.

Now there's one last thing: Contentment is grateful. Contentment is grateful. There is a gratefulness in contentment, and you see it in the doxology that Paul sings in verse 20:

“To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.”

Contentment expresses itself in constant gratitude to God. God-glorifying gratefulness flows from the heart of the one who is content. You want to see a content person, I’ll show you a grateful person. Show me a content person in gospel contentment, I’ll show you a person who's grateful to God. Put them in the worst circumstance of life, they’ll still praise God. Why? Because He has supplied all their needs and they know it. And they know that nobody else in the world can take away what He has supplied. The world can take everything else away, but they cannot take what He has supplied. And so they’re grateful.

Now let me make it clear. You may be here today a Christian who is discontent. That's okay, and that's not okay. It's not okay because God wants you to live in contentment. It's okay because, my friends, you’re at the starting block if you’re there. If

21 you’re here today and you’re content in circumstances, you’re not even in the game yet. But if you’re here and you’re a Christian and you’re discontent, there is really good news waiting for you. Pick up the book and starting working through it. Pick up the Bible and starting working through it.

But you may be here today, and you may be discontent and you may be ungrateful…and the reason that you may be discontent and the reason that you may be ungrateful may be that you’re not a Christian.

And I want you to understand that what I've been telling the Christians here for the last thirty minutes won't help you at all unless and until you put your faith in Jesus Christ, because apart from Him, there is no contentment worth having, and with Him there is nothing in this world that can take His contentment away (https://www.fpcjackson.org/resource-library/sermons/content-in-every-situation).

Lesson Plan

In Philippians 4:10-20, we learn the Biblical principle of contentment. We apply this passage as we consider the following objectives:

1. Believers are assured of contentment when they rest in the providence of God. 2. Believers can bless one another with generosity through the riches of Christ. 3. Believers are promised provision through the riches of Christ.

Walking Points

1. Believers are assured of contentment when they rest in the providence of God.

Read vv. 10-13. See also Gen. 45;5; 50:20; Rom. 8:28; Ps. 32:8;

The Apostle Paul is resting in the promise of the providence of God. Joseph unpacked God’s providence for his brothers when they discovered who he was after they sold him into slavery. God has a plan to provide for His children (Wiersbe, 97).

Dr. Warren Wiersbe notes as follows concerning the providence of God:

22 The word providence comes from two Latin words: pro, meaning “before” and video, meaning, “to see.” God’s providence simply means that God sees to it beforehand. It does not mean that God knows beforehand, because providence involves so much more. It is the working of God in advance to arrange circumstances and situations for the fulfilling of His purposes (Wiersbe, 97).

Paul knew that God would work out his situation for his good and God’s glory. God had caused the church at Philippi to become concerned for Paul and therefore, provide him with a generous gift. Paul was not looking for the gift, but the Holy Spirit prompted the Philippians to give it anyway. They were God’s avenue of provision (Wiersbe, 97).

Think About It: How have you seen God providentially work in your life? How have you seen Him arrange circumstances and situations in your life to fulfill His purposes? Talk in your groups about God’s providence in your lives.

2. Believers can bless one another with generosity through the riches of Christ.

Read vv. 14-18. See also Mal. 1:6-14; Rom. 12:1-12; Heb. 13:15-16.

The Philippians gave to Paul sacrificially. He believed they were giving a gift to the Lord and He would bless them for their generosity. They might receive physical benefit, but they would definitely receive spiritual blessings for their gift (Wiersbe, 98).

Think About It: How have you seen God bless you when you gave sacrificially? Dr Ligon Duncan gives us this illustration:

23 Think About It: Do you have a story like Dr. Duncan suggested? Have you seen God provide for you through someone who you knew was struggling financially, but chose to give anyway? Share stories of God’s sacrificial provision in your groups.

3. Believers are promised provision of their needs through the riches of Christ.

Read vv. 19-20. See also Pro. 3:9-10; 11:24-25; 2 Cor. 9:6, 10-11.

Dr . Wiersbe gives us the following thoughts:

But Paul did not see this gift as simply coming from Philippi. He saw it as the supply of his need from heaven. Paul’s trust was in the Lord. There is an interesting contrast between Philippians 4:18 and 19. We might state it this way, if we were going to paraphrase Paul:

You met my need, and God is going to meet your need. You met the one need that I have, but God is going to meet all of your needs. You gave out of your poverty, but God will supply your need out of His riches in glory (Wiersbe, 99).

Think About It: How have you seen God provide for you in an impossible circumstance? Are you going to continue to trust God to provide for your needs as you give to provide for the work of His Kingdom?

24 Resources / Articles / Sources:

Arnold, Jack. “Contentment.” Available online. Accessed from http://www.cleartheology.com/expo/40Philippians/Philippians%2019.html.

Arnold, Jack. “The Joy of Giving.” Available online. Accessed from http://www.cleartheology.com/expo/40Philippians/Philippians%2020.html.

Arnold, Jack. “Spiritual Relationships.” Available online. Accessed from http://www.cleartheology.com/expo/40Philippians/Philippians%2021.html.

Duncan, J. Ligon. “Content in Every Situation.” Available online. Accessed from https://www.fpcjackson.org/resource-library/sermons/content-in-every-situation.

Wiersbe, Warren. The Bible Exposition Commentary: Ephesians through Revelation. Colorado Springs: David C. Cook Publishing Company, 2008.