I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

  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.

Greet every saint in Christ Jesus Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me greet you. All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar's household. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Philippians 4:10-23 (ESV)

Paul wrote this letter as a thank you note to the church in Philippi for the offering they had sent.

Paul wrote this letter as a thank you note to the church in Philippi for the offering they had sent. Greco-Roman culture valued some degree of self-reliance and acceptance of one’s circumstances.

It would appear that Paul was aware of the language of the Stoics.

It would appear that Paul was aware of the language of the Stoics. The stoics believed in detachment and self-sufficiency.

It would appear that Paul was aware of the language of the Stoics. The stoics believed in detachment and self-sufficiency. They thought you had to find the resources within yourself to overcome all problems.

  I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Paul took the words of the stoics and turned them on their heads.

Paul took the words of the stoics and turned them on their heads. First, he was humble.

  I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Paul took the words of the stoics and turned them on their heads. First, he was humble. Second, he pointed out that Christ in him made this possible.

 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

How would this apply to us?

How would this apply to us? Our culture has become enamored of self-esteem.

Paul wrote this letter as a thank you note to the church in Philippi for the offering they had sent.

Paul wrote this letter as a thank you note to the church in Philippi for the offering they had sent. Yet in giving thanks Paul had to be careful.

Paul wrote this letter as a thank you note to the church in Philippi for the offering they had sent. Yet in giving thanks Paul had to be careful. Greco-Roman culture viewed friendships as contractual and reciprocal.

Paul wrote this letter as a thank you note to the church in Philippi for the offering they had sent. Yet in giving thanks Paul had to be careful. Greco-Roman culture viewed friendships as contractual and reciprocal. Paul had rejected this in some of his other relationships.

For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, because we were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone's bread without paying for it, but with toil and labor we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you. 2 Thessalonians 3:7-8 (ESV)

  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.

  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.

Paul turns the reciprocity in a different direction.

Paul turns the reciprocity in a different direction. Paul taps into a long tradition regarding giving.

Paul turns the reciprocity in a different direction. Paul taps into a long tradition regarding giving. Giving to the poor, or to another, is giving to God.

Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord,     and he will repay him for his deed. Proverbs 19:17 (ESV)

Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’  And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’ Matthew 25:34-40 (ESV)

One can measure one’s spiritual health by one’s generosity.

One can measure one’s spiritual health by one’s generosity. At the same time God promises to reward those who give.

One can measure one’s spiritual health by one’s generosity. At the same time God promises to reward those who give. Our church supports two sister churches: Wakpala and Zaragosa.

If one wanted to sum up the book of Philippians it is this:

If one wanted to sum up the book of Philippians it is this: look to Christ.