Giving and Receiving

JANUARY 12, 2022 STUDY NOTES PHILIPPIANS 4:14-18 BIBLE TEACHER: CLIFTON JONES Php 4:14 Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction. “Notwithstanding” has the meaning of “nevertheless,” referring to the previous verse, Php 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Verse 13 is true, nevertheless, the gift of the Philippians was important to Paul Paul wanted the Philippians to know that their gift was needed and appreciated Paul will explain that Christ was working in him through them, and Christ was working in them Through their giving Christ was not only strengthening Paul, He was strengthening them also “You have well done,” they had made the right decision, they had obeyed Christ It was “well done” because it was done “In-Christ,” Paul explains what they had done “That you did communicate with my affliction, their gift helped Paul in his time of need “Communicate” means to participate in something with someone, to partner with someone They were not concerned about the personal cost of their giving, their concern was Paul’s needs The possibility of personal “affliction” did not hinder their sharing in the time of Paul’s affliction The word “affliction” is found many times in the NT identifying different degrees of stress It can refer to emotional stress due to being under the pressure of trials and troubles Or the inward pressure of outward difficulties, circumstances beyond our control “Affliction” can refer to those difficult days that trouble the mind and burden the heart “Affliction” often refers to the persecution that Christians face as they are faithful to Christ, Php 1:29 For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake; (To suffer means to be affected by outward circumstances, to be oppressed) Paul warned the Thessalonians, 1Th 3:3 That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto. 1Th 3:4 For verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation; even as it came to pass, and ye know. Paul continually faced difficult days, daily adversities, misfortunes, and outward trials of life Paul was persecuted and put in prison because he faithfully served Christ God used the Philippian church to minister to the needs of Paul and to strengthen him Paul is saying that the gift could not have been at a better time, it was in God’s time Php 4:15 Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only. “The beginning of the gospel” for the Philippians was 10 years before Paul wrote to them Paul had preached the Gospel, God’s message of salvation for lost sinners separated from God Souls were saved and the Philippian church had its beginning, now a mission minded church You can read of Paul’s successful Macedonian ministry in Acts 16 & 17 Also read the book of Philippians and 1 & 2 Thessalonians Paul “departed from Macedonia” and went by way of Athens to Corinth (Acts 17:16-18:17) Silas and Timothy joined him bringing a contribution from the Philippian church They were the only church that ministered to Paul financially after he departed from them At that time, they were only a few months old as a local church, but they were a giving church They were a prime example of the ministry of a local NT church, we must spread the “Gospel” The word “communicated” means to share with a common interest, they were partners with Paul Their partnership was the spreading of the Gospel, they united with Paul’s ministry through, Giving and receiving, it is easy for us to understand their “giving,” their financial gift to Paul The word that Paul chose for “giving” is found only one other time in the NT, Jas 1:17 Every good gift (literally giving) and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with Page 1 of 5 whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. James says the “giving” is actually from above, coming from the “Father of lights” James uses two different Greek words for “gift” in James 1:17 He does that to emphasize the extent of God’s giving, how good and how much God gives The first word, every good “gift,” emphasizes how God gives, it refers to the act of giving God gives freely, the word identifies with God’s motive of giving, it is “good” The second word, every perfect “gift,” refers to the gift itself, it is “good” and “perfect” “Perfect” describes the result of the act of giving, identifying with that which is given God gives the very best gift in the very best way, God gives a good gift with a good motive If it comes from God, it is “perfect,” that means there is a reason why God has given it to us His giving has a purpose, He has a goal in mind, and His giving always meets the need Something in our life is to be fulfilled through what God has given us Perfection is the accomplishment of God’s purpose in our life Through “giving” God was fulfilling His purpose in Paul’s life and the Philippian church Paul makes a point when he states, “giving and receiving,” receiving was a business term In fact, both the words “giving” and “receiving” were book-keeping terms They referred to the credit and debit side of the ledger, an interesting point by Paul By his selection of these words, he was revealing a great truth to the Philippians Paul uses terms that will tell them that the best investment in life is trusting and serving God To partner with those who are faithfully serving God, to support them prayerfully and financially A sound business investment is giving to God’s work anywhere and at any time They shared in communicating the gospel by giving financial support to Paul They became a part of Paul’s preaching the gospel through Mission giving They gave financial support for spreading the gospel, allowing Paul to focus on the Gospel Which Paul has in mind when he says “receiving,” which was not limited to Paul The Philippians were also “receiving” through their “giving,” Christ was working in them Paul describes the work of Christ in and through the local church The ministry of the Holy Spirit works through “giving” and “receiving” The point is that the Philippians were going to receive of the Spirit They will receive of the Spirit because they had given through the Spirit They were a mission minded church, allowing the Spirit to guide them “But you only,” the Philippian church supported Paul’s ministry even when others didn’t The amount of their support was not Paul’s reason for thanking them Paul knew that their desire was to help him continue to spread the Gospel Php 4:16 For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity. Soon after Paul left the Philippians he went to Thessalonica In Acts 17:1-15 you can read of Paul’s ministry in Thessalonica, also read 1 & 2 Thessalonians We do not know how much or how many times the Philippians sent support to Paul Paul worked for his needs as he ministered in Thessalonica, he wanted to be an example to them Yet, Paul identifies the offering of the Philippians as a gift that meets his needs Paul is now going to take the opportunity to teach the truth of giving and receiving Php 4:17 Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account. Paul was not seeking an offering for the purpose of fulfilling sinful lusts or worldly desires Paul’s preaching was not a plea for money to be given to him, he did not beg for money Which does often take place today in the name of religion or charitable organizations You have heard it often, “give me an offering and God will tremendously bless you” One man replied, “I want you to get the blessing, you send me an offering” Page 2 of 5 Paul received in order that he may continue to give and bring forth “fruit” “Fruit” would be the result of Paul’s ministry, but God would extend it far beyond that Paul said, “but I desire fruit that may abound to your account” Paul uses the word “desire” twice in this verse to explain what he is interested in His “desire” was not selfish, Paul was interested in others being blessed Which the word “fruit” explains, referring to spiritual fruit, resulting in eternal dividends The Philippians had made a spiritual investment in Paul’s ministry Which Paul profited from, but Paul’s desire was for the Philippians to profit from their giving What Paul desired for the Philippians was explained by Jesus as “heavenly treasures,” Mat 6:19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: Mat 6:20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: Mat 6:21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. Paul explains eternal dividends in, 2Co 9:6 But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Paul said that he desired “fruit that may abound to your account” “Abound” was a term used in the money-market, referring to interest paid to your account Paul uses it in reference to God’s spiritual book-keeping system, God pays dividends As Christians it appears that we all have a personal ledger page in Heaven A record of our ERA account (Eternal Retirement Account) God makes the deposits Compare the guarantee of your ERA account with an IRA account, then make your deposits ERA deposits are made according to our present works, 2Co 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. The Judgment Seat of Christ is not a judgment of sins, but a judgment of service and ministry, 1Co 3:13 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. 1Co 3:14 If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. We are accountable to God for what God has given to us, including God-given opportunities There will be no loss of salvation, but there can be a loss of reward, 1Co 3:15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. Paul wanted the Philippians to know that they would receive an eternal reward for their giving They were going to receive more than a good feeling for what they had given to Paul’s ministry They were going to receive more than a word of thanks and appreciation from Paul They could expect eternal benefits regardless of what anyone else would say or do Their gift was an investment in souls, supporting Paul’s ministry to reach souls For every soul that was reached through Paul’s ministry they would receive spiritual interest No sacrifice is too great for the salvation of a soul, consider the sacrifice Jesus made, Rom 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Giving our time and money will gain spiritual interest and eternal rewards when souls are saved Paul knew that there is no business more important than God’s business Paul continues to use business terms to explain to us the importance of spiritual business Php 4:18 But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God. “I have all” was another term used in business, meaning “I have received in full” Which could be interpreted as, “here is my signed receipt,” Paul acknowledged their gift Paul was saying, “I give you a receipt for what you have sent me,” he explains its value to him I “abound,” I have everything I need and even more, same thing Paul stated in, Php 4:12 I know both Page 3 of 5 how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. Paul made sure that what he had would be sufficient, I am completely satisfied, “I am full” There is a lesson here that we all need to learn, it comes from Paul’s choice of words The Philippians did not have so much money that they did not know what to do with it It was actually a sacrifice for them to give to Paul, but they were not deprived because of giving They had learned to abound, to make-adjustments in their lifestyles They had learned how to make it enough for them and how they could share what they had Something that they had learned from Paul because he knew how to abound Paul and the Philippians had disciplined their lives in-order to turn a little into a lot Their testimony was, we have enough, we can give and share, we will give and share Paul describes it, “having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you” Paul was grateful for what he had received, he is expressing his appreciation for their gift Paul was pleased because he knew who gave it, how they gave it, and why they gave it Paul wants the church at Philippi to know that God is also pleased with their giving spirit He describes their gift as “an odor of a sweet smell,” a pleasant fragrance as identified in, Eph 5:2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour. Both verses come from the writing of Paul, there has-to be similar thoughts in the two verses Paul uses the same terms to describe Christ’s sacrificial death and their sacrificial love offering The gift of the Philippians was a walk of love, an example of God’s love in them Which they experienced because of the offering of Jesus for us, a sweet-smelling fragrance “Sweet smelling” is the same word translated “of a sweet smell” in Philippians 4:18 The word “sacrifice” in Ephesians 5:2 is the same word translated “sacrifice” in Philippians 4:18 God was satisfied with the sacrifice of Jesus, God was satisfied with the Philippians sacrifice God was satisfied with Paul’s acceptance of the sacrificial offering, Paul was praising God “A sacrifice acceptable, well pleasing to God” The Philippians were not rich, they were financially poor, but they gave sacrificially An offering that was “acceptable” to God, His approval was upon their sacrificial offering An offering that God was “well pleased” with, do you have a desire to please God? If so, study the following verses: Heb 13:15 By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. “By Him therefore,” because of the past, present, and future work of Jesus for us “Let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually” Christians do not offer animal sacrifices as did the priests of the O.T.—Heb 7:27 Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this he did once, when he offered up himself. Because Jesus offered the perfect sacrifice we can now offer “the sacrifice of praise” Peter said that we are now spiritual, and we are “to offer up spiritual sacrifices,” 1Pe 2:5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. In the O.T. the Tabernacle was the spiritual house of God and then it was the Temple N.T. Christians have a unique nature, in Christ we are “living stones” As living stones, we now make up the “Spiritual House” of God We are a “Holy Priesthood” and qualified “to offer up spiritual sacrifices” Our sacrifice is not a dead animal, it is the offering of our own spiritual life We are to offer our body as a “living sacrifice,” Rom 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, Page 4 of 5 which is your reasonable service. That is the most reasonable thing that the Christian can do God accepts it and God is pleased with it, therefore it should be continual, Heb 13:16 But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. The word translated “to do good” means to act in a generous way and be kind to others It is not limited to kind words it is goodness that is manifested in actions We must not only praise God with our voice but work for God with our hands To praise with the voice only does not fulfill our Christian duties or obligations “To communicate” means to share or to partner with others We must be willing to give of our money and material possessions to help others Exactly what the Philippian church did when they sacrificially gave to Paul’s ministry CONCLUSION We are responsible before God for the use of every material thing that God puts into our hands We are not only responsible for the surplus we are responsible for every penny we earn Our material goods are to be used under the control of the Spirit of God So that the saints’ needs might be met, and the servants’ needs might be met also And that God will be satisfied as we give sacrifices acceptable and well-pleasing to God I trust that God may give us such an attitude toward the material things He has given to us That we no longer divide things into “His” and “ours” but recognize that all belongs to Him And recognize that we are to be stewards of what He has entrusted to us That we might use all that God has trusted us with to the glory of His name The apostle Paul sent a thank-you note to the Christians in Philippi for their giving to his ministry They were the only church that had supported him financially on his mission trip He wanted to say thanks, but he did more than that, he assured them of God’s approval He told the people specifically what good they had done by helping him Through Paul, the people reached out to places they could never visit They met Paul's necessities, their gifts bore spiritual fruit and they pleased God And they received the promise of God's provision for them, Php 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. 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