Philippians 4:14-20 Follow the Money Trail

Philippians 4:14 Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. 15 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; 16 for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid again and again when I was in need. 17 Not that I am looking for a gift, but I am looking for what may be credited to your account. 

18 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. 19And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. 20 To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

The apostle's "Thank you note". Paul had just told the Philippians that he could survive whether richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, in danger or safety, in hunger or feasting.   He could endure "all these things through Christ who gives him strength".   But he goes on to tell them that it's good for them that they did help him financially, when no one else did. 

 Paul knew he would be provided for... it probably didn't matter too much where his provision came from, because ultimately, he knew it came from God.   Whether God had ravens bring him bread like they did for Elijah, or whether the Philippians sent resources, Paul's trust was in God taking care of his needs.   What made him glad was the implication of their material gifts. It was evidence of their spiritual condition and their love for him. 

"Where your treasure is, there your heart will be" Matt 6:21   Notice it doesn't say that you should "put your money where your heart is".   It says that the things we invest in are the very things that our heart will be drawn to.  Read it again.  Spending patterns are a map to our devotion and affections.  When we choose to invest in spiritual things our heart becomes attached to them. Follow the money and you'll find the heart and soul.  Show me your checkbook and I'll tell you what or whom you love.

Giving is the antidote to selfishness.

Giving reminds us to hold loosely to the temporary and material

Giving is a chance to invest in the eternal.

Giving changes our heart and our longings.  

Paul reminds them that God is pleased with the their gifts and that He is the one who will meet their needs as well.  He owns the cattle on a thousand hills, keeps the planets in orbit by the word of His mouth, causes the seas to meet the shore and go no further than He ordains each day, and provided atonement for our sin.   God needs nothing  from us... nothing.  His kingdom does not change one bit if we decide to keep all our time and money for ourself and our family.   You see, it's not that we HAVE TO give, it's that we GET TO give and be a tiny part of the amazing things He does.


We have seen Paul's great love for the Philippians and his concern for their spiritual journey.  What a comfort for him when Epaphroditus brought gifts and supplies from the Philippians to Paul... he got to see their love and concern for him and for his mission in sharing the gospel.

Want a devoted heart for God?  Invest your time, talent and money in eternal things.   Where you put your treasure, your heart will follow.  Let's invest wisely.

Philippians 4:10-13 All Things

Philippians 4:10 

10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity.

11Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: 

2 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 

13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. 

Paul shares a few lines that are pretty powerful.  While he is grateful for the Philippians sharing their pesos, he tells them he doesn't really need their financial support, because giving is more important for them than it is to him.   Paul knows that what we do with our money is great barometer for what or whom owns our heart.  Then Paul speaks about contentment.... more valuable than any financial gift. 

Verse 13, "I can do all things", the misused Christian "rah-rah" verse we throw around like pixie dust to convince ourselves we can be superheroes and get that promotion or accomplish all that we can dream of. #callthecontextpolice #again  

Paul has been in jail, in danger, in hunger, in persecution.  He has been stoned (no weed involved) and left for dead, been shipwrecked and lost at sea, been bitten by snakes.  He's broken over his sin, broken from beatings, broken for the lost and broken for the church.  He has lived with abundance and with nothing. He could do all these things, through Christ. It wasn't as much about what he could achieve, but about what he was able to endure.

Paul had to 'learn' this contentment as we do.  Trials, pain, living 'without', desperate situations are not the parties we hope to get invited to, but they are the classrooms where we learn to be content... the class no one signs up for.  Through experience, Paul came to see that no matter what situation or what provision was lacking, Christ could sustain him. He could do all those things through Christ who gives him strength. 

There is still great 'rah-rah' in this verse in its context. Just ask the ones who have endured.  The ones who make you wonder "how do you still get up every morning"?  They'll tell you... it was all Him... His strength.   Our contentment doesn't depend on our bank balance, possessions, or comfort (that's a lot of encouragement and conviction in one line ).  It can even being found in the trials, the sacrifices, the suffering.. when we've 'got nothin' left' or have to start over from scratch.  In hard times, His presence is magnified, and we learn to rest and trust in Him.  In difficult seasons, I have found His strength, and an intimacy I wouldn't know otherwise.... not things I want to repeat, but I wouldn't change them either. As you think about it, you can probably say the same.   With abundance or when we are broke... comfort or difficulty... we can do all these things through Christ who gives us strength.