Introduction

By way of introduction to this teaching out of the latter half of Philippians 4, I believe it would be instructive for us to read again the first chapter of this letter, at least the first twenty verses. Listen in carefully for the depth and quality of the relationship between this Christian leader and his flock at this local church.

Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus,
To all the saints in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons:
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart; for whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God's grace with me. God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.

And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.Paul's Chains Advance the Gospel

Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard* and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly.

It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. The latter do so in love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains.But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.

Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance. I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.


Were you reminded of the relationship between Paul and the people of this Philippian church family? He was thankful for them; he was thrilled to share the ministry of the gospel with them, working together with a common heart; he loved them—not in the sense of a professional camaraderie, or as members of the same club, or in some kind of an ecclesiastical bond (every pastor loves his flock)—no, this was a very special relationship, the deep mutual love of dear friends.

Recently, we spent a couple hours with some dear Christian friends. As we parted, we hugged, wished each other well and each of the four of us said, I love you, and I thought, you know, we really meant it. There is a bond of unity and understanding, a sincere oneness and trust, that forms between people who over time experience laughter and weeping, work and play together.

Paul had that very special kind of relationship with the Philippian congregation, it is clear. He was, of course off on an important mission tour, supported by that church, prayed for by them and in periodic contact with them by way of messengers. At the time of this writing he was imprisoned for his preaching—in fact one of the reasons they sent Epaphroditus on that long trip was to check on Paul in person to see how he was doing. Epaphroditus brought Paul the warm greetings and hugs and well-wishes of his dear friends back in the Philippian church.

He also brought Paul a monetary gift from the church. We read between the lines in this letter and understand clearly that this was a regular, if not always frequent, gesture on the church’s part.

We as a church, and individually, write notes and emails to Bob and Jan Claus while they are in the Ukraine. Monthly we deposit the love offerings we receive for them into their account. The same with Tambaya in Niger, the Gregory family in Brazil, the leadership of Mosaic Ministry more closely, and Ken and Martha Shirkey of Gateway Center for World Mission (who, incidentally, will be able to join us next Sunday morning).

And we as a church support me as pastor here in this church family. This is as it is in almost all churches: local church leadership is provided living expenses and business expenses so that the leadership can be free from having to earn a living with other employment that would take valuable time away from their equipping ministry.

Biblically, that plan is outlined in 1 Timothy 5:17 that those who lead well, especially in preaching and teaching, are worthy of double honor (ie, they are paid so they can carry on that service full time). There are also references such as Galatians 6:6, where Christians are enjoined to share all good things with those who teach them.

Larger churches often need and bring on salaried support additional staff among their pastoral leadership. Many churches can only afford to pay a pastor a portion of a living wage, and such pastors practice what is biblically pictured as “tent-making”. That is, they work in other part- to full-time careers so that they can maintain living and ministry expenses. Many of you know that is what I did the first couple years when MECF first started.

The other biblical teaching on paying church leaders was covered in our earlier scripture reading from Corinthians 9. There Paul said, Those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel. He added that on at least two occasions, he engaged in tent-making ministry (literally, because that was his actual trade, and we get the terminology from his example).

That was in Corinth and Thessalonica, where he thought it better not to be a burden to the people. The rest of the time, he felt it was appropriate to earn a living by the preaching of the gospel, even as he was now, relying on the support of the church.

With that background in place, let’s look at Paul’s very personal remarks to his church family in Philippians 4:10-20. Writing from prison, where Epaphroditus has just come to see Paul and bring the church’s “care package” for Paul, he expresses not only his thanks for the support, but also his peculiarly sensitive feelings about it.

I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 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. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

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 again and again when I was in need. Not that I am looking for a gift, but I am looking for what may be credited to your account. 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. And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.

To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

It is a ticklish thing for a Christian leader to stand before those whose gifts pay his salary and talk about giving. I’ve talked with dozens of missionaries who say they’d rather face a whole tribe of pagan aborigines than to stand before a church and ask for money.

And, like every other pastor I know, preaching stewardship to the church whose offerings constitute his next month’s meals and mortgage payment can be daunting. You want to exhort, but not offend. But then you want to boldly speak the truth regardless of tangled feelings.

But Christian stewardship is not a man-made doctrine. It is the truth of God, an integral part of the gospel and pastors and teachers are called to teach and exhort God’s people toward generous, regular, sacrificial and cheerful giving. And all that regardless of who’s paying whose salary. In fact, Paul told Timothy in no uncertain terms, You command them to be generous. Why? Why are Christian pastors and teachers to be so resolute in their teaching of sacrificial stewardship? Because they want to ensure their paycheck? Or maybe even get a raise?

Look at verse 11 again. Paul gives his reasons both for his thankfulness and for the Philippians’ generous gift, and really for bringing it up at all. I am not saying this because I am in need… He’s clear about this one thing: he has learned to do without, and he understands that when you depend on offerings for your support sometimes you have to tighten the belt. In fact, he says, I’ve learned to be content in every circumstance. Virtually repeating himself in verse 12, he says, I have learned the secret of being content in any and every circumstance—in plenty or in want, I’m just fine.

Once a spiritual seeker interrupted his busy life to spend a few days in a monastery. "I hope your stay is a blessed one," said the monk who showed the visitor to his cell. "If you need anything, let us know, and we'll teach you how to live without it."

Besides, I am confident that in Christ’s strength I can do everything He wants me to do. That’s where we are introduced to the most horribly misapplied scripture in all the Bible. I can do everything through him who gives me strength. Be sure of this: Phil. 4:13 is not your license to lay claim to omnipotence or opulence. Paul does not say that in Christ you can literally do anything. In the first place, you’re not Paul. And, more importantly, he’s talking about doing anything that is God’s will for him. And lastly, this verse has nothing to do with the ability to do or get anything you want, in context, it is about the strength to live without riches.

Are you a thermometer or a thermostat? A thermometer changes nothing around it—but is changed by them. A thermostat is set at a certain level, is unperturbed by things around it and changes them.

So, Paul is not writing these things because he is in need. Neither, he says, is he looking for a gift (more money). Verse 17: Not that I am looking for a gift… He assures his friends in Christ that he has received plenty from them, even more than he expected. I have received full payment and even more; I am amply supplied now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent.

So, Paul says he’s not saying thanks and bringing up the topic of giving because he has a need, nor is he looking for another gift. Why IS he saying these things? And if he isn’t looking for a gift, what IS he looking for? “Pastor Paul” is looking for what every pastor with a true calling and a genuine interest in the flock of God is looking for: (verse 17b): …what may be credited to your account… It’s not about me and some need I might have, and it’s not about me wanting a gift or a bonus or a reward. It’s about you, fellow believers! I’m out for this: YOUR benefit.

He’s saying, Folks, when you give generously, regularly, sacrificially and cheerfully, it’s not I who benefit, but YOU. You see, every time you read God’s Word under the category of giving and blessings. The last one mentioned is always the one who is blessed, and it’s always you.

Bring all the tithes into the storehouse and see if I won’t open the windows of heaven and pour out an unimaginable blessing on you.

Give and it will be given back to you, in full measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over.

The one who sows generously, reaps generously…

God loves a cheerful giver, and He s able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion

Pastor Paul says, more than anything, I want you to know His blessing.

It is the heart’s desire of every pastor worth his salt that God’s people would grow in Christ. The pastor of any church knows that giving is the mark of maturity.

I have known some very happy and fulfilled Christian people, and I’ve known others who are, well, not so happy and fulfilled. Category A people are alive in the Holy Spirit, walking obediently in Him and serving the Lord with reckless abandon. Category B people are nearly always unwilling to serve, less than enthusiastic about their faith life, typically self-centered and do not evidence the fruit of God’s Spirit.

***Yeah, but they’re not happy and mature because they give; they were already happy and mature, and that’s why they gave! SO!?

Unfortunately, for many who gave their lives to Christ, the wallet was the one thing they refused to relinquish to His lordship. It’s as though when they were baptized they said, Everything but this, Pastor!

But, you see, anything withheld from God signals a hesitant faith. You will recall the young man whom Jesus met. A nice fella, good heart, well-intentioned—he was even well-to-do. He said all he wanted to was follow Jesus wherever He would want him to go.

That’s when Jesus understood something troubling about the young man. So he put this challenge before him: Go and sell everything you have, give the proceeds to the poor, then come and follow me. What happened? He couldn’t do it.

We simply cannot come to Jesus with our contingencies. Lord, you can have all of me except . . . Pastors know this. You know this. It’s why money sermons don’t set well with many. When a topic seems to be sensitive, it’s probably an area of need. If you go to the doctor for a check-up and he starts poking and prodding and suddenly one of those pokes hurts, that’s the area that needs attention.

My financial giving to my church is an expression of my love for God, and for His kingdom purposes for the church.

My financial giving to my church is an expression of my commitment to Christ and the accomplishment of His will through my church.

My financial giving to my church is an expression of my concern for my church

In summary, a church member’s giving is one of only two expressions of their LOVE FOR GOD, COMMITMENT TO CHRIST, AND THEIR CONCERN FOR THEIR CHURCH. Look at that list again. That is the perfect expression of what pastors care about.

These are the very virtues Paul prayed for the Philippians to have; they are the things he stressed as he preached and taught among them. It’s a beautiful and encompassing list of the things God wants for us: to love Him with our whole heart, mind and strength; to commit our lives to Christ in faith and obedience; and to love and serve in and through the body of Christ, His holy church.

No wonder pastors and teachers are so interested in giving. It is the key to all other areas of growth in Christ! But we know that already don’t we? We know that, even if we give our hearts to Christ, He never really has us until we’ve let go of our Velcro god—our money.

One of the hardest but most essential lessons a child of God ever learns is that we don’t own anything. It all belongs to the Lord, and He let’s us use a portion of it as stewards. That’s partly a blessing of provision from the Lord, but it’s more. It’s a test. A test of our true love and devotion toward Him. Giving is a barometer of our love, faith and commitment.

And if it is a barometer of Christians’ love and devotion to God, then it is necessarily important to those who shepherd them. It is the heart’s desire of every true pastor that the people of the church would grow in Christ.

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