Philippians 4:10-21 Thanks for Their Gifts
10 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. 11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 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. 13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength. 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. 19 And 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. 21 Greet all the saints in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me send greetings. 22 All the saints send you greetings, especially those who belong to Caesar’s household. 23 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen
Whenever you think of the book of Philippians there are three main points that should be impressed on our minds, and Paul brings us back to them here.
1. Rejoice (says 10 times, joy – another dozen) in the Lord Always – If Christ is the purpose of your life it changes your outlook. We are to be people of rejoicing and joy.
2. Everything we do is an extension of and for the gospel message. Nothing for the follower of Christ exists apart from this reality. Everything we do, think, say, believe, and how we behave, is to undergo a self-examination of our motivations - ‘What does our present course of action say to others about the wonderful surpassing gospel of hope, peace, forgiveness, mercy, and salvation.
3. The people we labour with are important. We are not, and do not, advance the purposes of Christ alone. We are in relationship – and how we are in relationship either brings an advancement of rejoicing and joy, and together is declaration of the gospel – or its removes rejoicing and joy.
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.
We forget the power of being thought of by another so often. Think about when someone came to you and showed genuine concern “How are you doing….?” And then they genuinely listened. This last couple of weeks there seemed to be a lot of cards going around the corporate office expressing concern to those experiencing significant grief and loss across the province. We need to have concern, and be concerned, for each other, because it can be the source of rejoicing in the midst of difficult challenges. We need to look at each other and ‘renew’ that concern because it’s easy for us to get lost in our own little worlds. Find ways to show each other genuine concern. It often doesn’t take a lot, but it is a great gift and source of strength and encouragement when it happens.
11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 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. 13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
I venture a guess that what fills most people’s lives is not contentment – but discontentment. Discontentment with ourselves – or with others – or both. Discontentment in our jobs. I’m very discontented with my car at moment. When I get discontented about something, it’s all I can think about – it consumes my thoughts and becomes a constant part of conversation – so much so that my wife just said to me, “just go out and get a new car and be done with it already.” But at the moment, the discontentment regarding the impact on my finances outweighs the discontentment with my car.
When we have discontentment it consumes us – it colours all other thoughts and responses. Yet somehow here in the midst of Paul’s incarcerated life he states “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstance.” I don’t think Paul means to say that he is happy with every circumstance, but that he has learned to be at peace with the knowledge that although he might not be in control, he knows God ultimately is and regardless of that circumstance, if he submits himself to God, God can use it for his benefit and glory.
What do you believe about your present circumstance? Regardless of what it is, do you believe that God is greater? That He can use you as a representative of his mercy, justice and peace in that circumstance? Think about your circumstance. Are you willing? Are you able to open handedly say to God, “here I am, in this place, in this circumstance, in this reality - Jesus, I trust you, use me here, right where I am, to be a witness of your mercy, grace, purity and holiness?” I believe this can help us even when our circumstance is some of our own making. Not in all cases certainly, but, more than we’d like to acknowledge, I have to ‘own’ my part in my present circumstance – that is tough, and often at the source of our discontentment.
We can and only will find contentment when we can be at peace with ‘whatever our circumstance – good or bad.’ Paul gives us this great phrase that is the line of many and encouragement card “I can do all things in Christ”
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.
Ever sang the song, (even in your heart)?
All of us have had, or are having, or will have, troubles and sorrow. We often believe we are in our ‘troubles’ alone. And perhaps we are, but we are not there long, because we do tell others. One question I always try to keep in mind, though not always successfully, when I “share my troubles with other” is why? Am I wanting to pull them into the ditch with me? Or am I asking them to throw me line so they can help pull me out?
Truly, there is joy that can come when I have someone to ‘share in my troubles.’ Just knowing they are there, knowing they want to listen, are concerned, offer me words of encouragement (and at times ‘truth’ and ‘perspective’ I need to re-gain) is important. We certainly can feel alone, that ‘nobody knows’ – we need to watch for each other so that we can be ones who ‘send aid’ when I (or you) are in need.
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. 19 And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
What is the motivation of our sharing in troubles? To build up or tear down? To include or exclude? To encourage or discourage? What account are we investing in? What payments are making or withdrawing in each other’s accounts? Are our investments in others “fragrant offerings” that delight the nose or “stinking droppings” that we step in with our toes? To walk away from an encounter with someone and feel that we have been amply supplied and given a gift – that truly is cause to rejoice.
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen
Anyway, I was just thinking.
Neil
0 comments:
Post a Comment