The Joy of Giving

1. Read: Philippians 4:14-20

2. About the Text:

1) Paul wrote the book of Philippians as a thank you letter to the church in Philippi.

2) In this last part of the book, he commends them for giving.

3) Paul’s imprisonment in Rome created challenges for daily necessities.

4) He was dependent upon the church for helping with these needs.

5) The church in Philippi wanted to help him and sent him some support.

3. Ref. to S, T, P, O, and A.

1. Paul said, “Nevertheless you have done well that you shared in my distress.”

2. We do well when we give because . . .

1) It does good for the recipient.

a. “How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him” (Acts 10:38).

b. “But now I am going to Jerusalem to minister to the saints. For it pleased those from Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor among the saints who are in Jerusalem” (Romans 15:25-26).

2) It does good for the giver.

a. “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart” (Galatians 6:9).

b. “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35).

3. The act of giving itself is good; it does not depend upon what the recipient does with it.

1) “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith” (Galatians 6:10).

2) “But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased” (Hebrews 13:16).

4. When we give, we do well, and this should bring us joy.

1. The church at Philippi had helped Paul previously.

1) When Paul went to Thessalonica, they helped him preach there.

2) Paul says that the fruit from his efforts abounded to their account.

3) When we give, we share in the results of the work the giving accomplished.

2. The churches of Macedonia gave to help with the poor in Jerusalem.

1) “For I bear witness that according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing, imploring us with much urgency that we would receive the gift and the fellowship of the ministering to the saints” (2 Corinthians 8:3-4).

2) “Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness” (2 Corinthians 9:10).

3. We share in the work that we contribute to.

1) “Inasmuch as both in my chains and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers with me of grace” (Philippians 1:7).

2) “But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully” (2 Corinthians 9:6).

3) “If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds” (2 John 1:10-11).

4. When we give, we produce fruit, and this brings joy.

1. The church in Philippi sent Paul a gift.

1) He received it from Epaphroditus.

2) He called it a “sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God.”

3) This is the language of sacrifice.

a. The OT sacrifices were described as being “sweet aromas” to God (Genesis 8:21, Exodus 29:18, Leviticus 3:5, etc.).

b. God also commanded acceptable sacrifices (Leviticus 22:20).

c. Paul makes clear that their giving was a good sacrifice.

4) When we give as God wants us to give, we please Him.

2. We can please God!

1) “that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God” (Colossians 1:10).

2) “Finally then, brethren, we urge and exhort in the Lord Jesus that you should abound more and more, just as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God” (1 Thessalonians 4:1).

3) “And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight” (1 John 3:22).

3. God Loves Sacrificial Giving

1) “So He called His disciples to Himself and said to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all those who have given to the treasury; for they all put in out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all that she had, her whole livelihood’” (Mark 12:43-44).

2) 2 Corinthians 8:1-5.

3) “I speak not by commandment, but I am testing the sincerity of your love by the diligence of others. For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich” (2 Corinthians 8:8-9).

4. God Loves Intentional and Cheerful Giving

1) “So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7).

2) “On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come” (1 Corinthians 16:2).

5. When we give, we please God, and that should bring us joy.

1. Paul says, “And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”

1) God had provided for Paul through the church, and God would provide for the church also.

2) This is based on our faithfulness to Him.

3) This is not giving us everything we want, but what we need.

2. God is the greatest giver.

1) All things belong to God – “The earth is the LORD’s, and all its fullness, The world and those who dwell therein” (Psalm 24:1).

2) God wants to give His children good things – “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!” (Matthew 7:11).

3) “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning” (James 1:17).

3. Will we trust God to supply all our needs?

1) Matthew 6:33 – we must seek the kingdom first.

2) Romans 12:1 – we must be living sacrifices.

3) Hebrews 11:6 – “Without faith….”

4. When we give, we show faith in God, and this brings joy.

1. There is great joy in giving because when we give . . .

1) We do Well

2) We Produce Fruit

3) We Please God

4) We Show Faith in God

2. Invitation