PHILIPPIANS FOR TIMES LIKE THESE #21 – Leave The Table A Little Bit Hungry

WHAT KIND OF THANK YOU IS THAT?  Final verses of Philippians 4 have given scholars fits for centuries.  Paul’s tone seems out of place.  Is he being ungrateful? Snubbing the Philippians? Less than appreciative?  Or is there more than immediately meets the eye?

PHILIPPIANS 4:10-20  But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned before, but you lacked opportunity. Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need.

PHILIPPIANS 4:10-20, CONT.  I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. Nevertheless, you have done well to share with me in my affliction. You yourselves also know, Philippians, that at the first preaching of the gospel, after I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving but you alone; for even in Thessalonica you sent a gift more than once for my needs.

PHILIPPIANS 4:10-20, FINAL  Not that I seek the gift itself, but I seek for the profit which increases to your account. But I have received everything in full and have an abundance; I am amply supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what you have sent, a fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God. And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Now to our God and Father be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

CLEAR EXPRESSIONS OF APPRECIATION  Verse 10 – “But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly….you have revived your concern for me.”  Keeps the tone of rejoicing expressed throughout the letter.

VERSE 14  “Nevertheless, you have done well to share with me in my affliction.”  Definite praise being given to them for their generous gift.

VERSE 16  “…for even in Thessalonica you sent a gift more than once for my needs.”  Recognizes their history of sending him aid. Recognizes them as the ONLY congregation to share with him at that time.

VERSE 18  “…I am amply supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what you have sent, a fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God.”

THOUGHTS DIFFICULT TO UNDERSTAND  Verse 10 – “…that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned before, but you lacked opportunity.”  At last? Is this a slap in the face?  Softened by…”you were concerned…but you lacked opportunity.”?

VERSE 11  “Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.”  So…You don’t like our gift?

VERSE 17  “Not that I seek the gift itself, but I seek for the profit which increases to your account.”  So…you don’t appreciate our gift? This is just a teaching opportunity for you?

DON’T FORGET THE REST OF THE LETTER:  “I thank my God in all my remembrance of you….”  “For God is my witness, how I long for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus.”  “…my beloved brethren whom I long to see, my joy and crown…my beloved.”

PAUL’S UNDERSTANDING OF VALUE  Consider the high cost to the Philippians to send this gift.  700 dangerous miles between them.  No telephone, telegraph or Western Union.  Super dangerous at the best of times.

HOW WOULD YOU FEEL?  What would you do or say?  2 Samuel 23:13-17 –  David in cave of Adullam with Philistines camped against him in the valley.  He has a “craving” for water from the well at Bethlehem. Says, “Oh that someone would give me water to drink from the well of Bethlehem which is by the gate!”

A WISTFUL STATEMENT, BUT….  “So the three mighty men broke through the camp of the Philistines, and drew water from the well…and brought it to David.”  He couldn’t/wouldn’t drink it.  “Shall I drink the blood of the men who went in jeopardy of their lives?”

PAUL SEEMS RELUCTANT TO EXPRESS NEED  verse 11: “Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content….”  verse 12 – “I know how to get along with humble means, and…how to live in prosperity.”

HOW DO WE UNDERSTAND VS. 13?  “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.”  Contextually – doing with or doing without according to the will of God!  Faith rather than whining.

A REMINDER OF WHAT IS IMPORTANT  verse Not that I seek the gift itself, but I seek for the profit which increases to your account.  They benefit from their generosity, because God loves a cheerful giver.  Serving God is most important.

LEAVE THE TABLE A BIT HUNGRY…  Deuteronomy 8:1-20  Warning to Israel before they enter the promised land.  “…the Lord your God has led you in the wilderness these forty years, that He might humble you….”  “…He humbled you and let you be hungry….”

HUNGRY…CONT.  “…and fed you with manna which you did not know…  “…that He might make you understand that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by everything that proceeds out of the mouth of the Lord.”

WHAT WAS THEIR DANGER?  “Beware that you do not forget the Lord your God by not keeping His commandments….when your herds and your flocks multiply, and your silver and gold multiply…then your heart will become proud and you will forget the Lord your God….”

UNDERSTANDING NEED AND WANT  God’s great promise  Verse 19 – “And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”  God provides needs, not necessarily wants.  Wants increase our dissatisfaction rather than our contentment.

WHAT IS TRULY TREASURE?  Matthew 6: “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

THE HOLY SPIRIT’S MESSAGE…  Summation of what Paul says here can be, simply, “Thank you for the physical gift, but recognize the true need for spiritual treasure.”  Paul is not being ungrateful, but is being spiritually practical and encouraging them to holiness.

IN THE NEEDS COLUMN IS…  Luke 10:40-42 – “But Martha was distracted with all her preparations….Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to do all the serving alone…?” “But the Lord answered and said to her, ‘Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; but only one thing is necessary….”

FOREVER SPIRITUALLY HUNGRY  Matthew 4:4 – “But He answered and said, ‘It is written, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.’”  Stay hungry…my friends!