DAY #294: Philippians 4:1-23

I love what Paul says as chapter four begins - he urges the Philippian believers to “stay true to the Lord.” In order to stay true against false teaching, divisiveness, and persecution, the believers needed to develop certain attitudes in their lives.

Paul not only warned the Philippian church of doctrinal errors, he also addressed some relational problems. Two women, Euodia and Syntyche, had been workers for Christ in the church—deacons. Their broken relationship was no small matter: Many had become believers through their efforts, but their quarrel was causing dissension in the church.

We do not know the reason for the disagreement, but Paul pled with them to settle it. He expected them to work it out themselves. The unity of the church was to be their highest concern.

At Philippi, women were the first to hear the gospel, and Lydia was the first convert. Those who were among the first to understand the gospel would be asked to teach. Thus, Euodia and Syntyche were to take an active part in teaching. Their quarrel was highly visible and threatened to disrupt the unity of the church.

After this warning, Paul returned to writing to the church at large: Be full of joy . . . rejoice! It seems strange that a man in prison would be telling a church to keep on rejoicing. But Paul’s attitude teaches us an important lesson: Our inner attitudes do not have to reflect our outward circumstances. Paul was full of joy because he knew that no matter what happened to him, Jesus Christ was with him. While believers often will encounter situations in which they cannot be happy, they can always rejoice and delight in the Lord.

If the Philippians would take to heart Paul’s words in, then they will turn from anxiety to prayer and be filled with God’s peace. This peace is different from the world’s peace. It is peace that Jesus promised his disciples and all those who would follow him. True peace is not found in positive thinking, in absence of conflict, or in good feelings; it comes from knowing that God is in control.

God’s peace is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. Such peace cannot be self-generated; it comes from God alone; it is his gift to us in a difficult world.

Though Paul never asked for money for himself, he accepted the Philippians’ gift because they gave it willingly and because he was in need. In 1 Corinthians 9:11-18, Paul wrote that he didn’t accept gifts from the Corinthian church because he didn’t want to be accused of preaching only to get money. But Paul maintained that it was a church’s responsibility to support God’s ministers (1 Corinthians 9:14).

In this passage, we learn that Paul had learned an important secret to the Christian life—that he could get along happily with whatever he had, whether much or little. Paul had learned this—such contentment is not a natural human response. Paul explained that his sufficiency was in Christ alone, who provides strength to cope with all circumstances. Oh Lord, would you teach that to all of us.

How do we get to that lofty goal of contentment? It is important for believers to realize that biblical “contentment” is not fatalism or acquiescence to one’s lot in life. Such thinking would smother God’s ongoing guidance. Rather, contentment involves one’s perspective on life. To have real contentment, remember that everything belongs to God and what we have is a gift from him. Be thankful for what we have, not coveting what others have. Ask for wisdom to use wisely what we do have. Pray for grace to let go of the desire for what we don’t have. Trust in God to meet our needs.

Paul described the Philippians’ gift as a sweet-smelling sacrifice. Their very gifts were acts of worship, and God was the true recipient. They had given in faith, not so much to Paul as to God. That should be the ultimate goal of every act of love, care, concern, and charity—to help, but also to please God. The same God who had taken care of Paul would also supply all their needs.

In many ways the Philippian church was a model congregation. It was made up of many different kinds of people who were learning to work together. Paul recognized, however, that problems could arise, so in this thank-you letter, he prepared the Philippians for potential difficulties they might encounter. Though a prisoner in Rome, Paul had learned the true secret of joy and peace—imitating Christ and serving others. By focusing our minds on Christ we will learn unity, humility, joy, and peace. We will also be motivated to live for him.

SO WHAT? (what will I do with what I have read today?)

Would to God that our faith would be strong enough and great enough and big enough to TRUST God to meet our needs. Would to God that we would let God grow using this area of our lives.

Luke 6:38 (MB) says, “Give away your life; you'll find life given back, but not merely given back—given back with bonus and blessing. Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity.”

Do you know what the word BLESSING means? To be on the receiving end of the tangible and intangible favor of God. The essence of God is that He is generous. He wants us to be God-hearted, generous people of faith.

Let me just mention finances for a moment. Folks, if we want God to multiply our finances – if we want him to make stuff last longer – if we want him to make the investment of our life impact many people and not just a few, we have to learn this truth. We have to be generous people of faith.

When we bring him our highest and our finest FIRST, He blesses it and multiplies it. Listen to Romans 11:16 (NKJV). “For if the firstfruit is holy, the lump is also holy; and if the root is holy, so are the branches.”

When you bring to the Lord your life, your money, your family, your work – whatever – when you bring it to HIM first, he blesses it and then multiplies it. Unless you bring him your tithe first, he can’t bless the rest of your fiances. He can’t multiply them. Unless you bring him your time first, he can’t make the rest of your time stretch. Do you see it? Unless you bring God you Family and your marriage first, he can't work like He wants to.

Lord, work in the hearts of the people of COV. Grow them and mature them into generous people of faith.