After worship in singing this morning, I looked at the headline for the sermon topic: generosity. I’ll be honest, my thoughts were entirely selfish because I was hoping that the pastor would make some kind of call to donate money to missions and my name would be mentioned. I wanted the last of the money I need so that the rest of my waiting would be over. Seemed like a nice idea at the time.
We finished reading through Philippians and at the tail end of the book is one of the most quoted scriptures. (Maybe you’ve seen it on an inspirational poster like this one…)
It’s been a battle not to think about money all the time. I have goals to reach; I don’t want to miss out on this unique mission opportunity. God has already been incredibly generous-I get speechless when I look at the numbers. He’s really come through and yet I’m still puzzled by it somehow. My mind is just too small and finite to grasp it now.
Paul recognizes the church’s generosity while he was in prison. A situation like that probably looks like a failure to the rest of the world. But Paul was content in his circumstance…God was still generous with him. Paul was content in abundance and poverty, in hunger and in being well fed because of Jesus Christ. Paul was content in Jesus and that strengthened him to get through whatever was going to come next. The successes, the failures and mistakes…they come one right after another. We reach one hurdle, but that doesn’t mean we’re free from them for the rest of our lives. So how does God strengthen me?
One of the ways that I express the strength I have in Jesus Christ is giving thanks. I can’t give enough thanks to God…it’s too difficult to put in words most of the time. But the words of Paul to the Philippians is just dead on with what I want to say to you, my supporters and encouragers:
14-20 Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble. And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again. Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit. I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.
