2021.11.28 - The Joy Of Giving To The Lord

Text: Philippians 4:10-20 Opening Statement: The Philippian Christians had learned the secret of joyful, liberal financial giving. The church in Philippi had taken up an offering to give to Paul, while he was in prison because of his faith. Paul wrote back to the church and expressed his joy. Joy, or its result, occurs almost 20 times in this letter. Have you discovered the joy of giving? I) Giving revives our concern (v. 10) The Philippian Christians had been barren in expressing their concern for Paul, but now, with the gift of money they sent him, they were blossoming anew with concern for Paul's welfare and the furtherance of the Gospel. Giving takes the focus off ourselves and puts it onto someone or something else. Giving becomes a tangible way we can express concern and love to other people. As we focus on the needs of others, and give to help meet those needs, we experience joy. Giving revives our concern for people. II) Giving teaches us contentment (v. 11) Paul did not want this church to think that his joy rested on whether he had money. Paul had schooled himself to be satisfied with whatever he had. He had joy in his life, not because his purse was full, but because he had learned contentment. How do you define contentment? Contentment is not trimming down your desires. Contentment means living with a sense of God's adequacy, a conviction that God is adequate for any need we face. Therefore, we can give joyfully, knowing God will supply our needs. III) Giving makes us partners in ministry (v. 14) Paul said this about this gift of money sent by the church at Philippi. Each time we give to the Lord's work, we partner with other Christians to help advance the kingdom. That exciting thought should put joy in our hearts. Southern Baptists recognize the importance of partnering with one another. We do this through the Cooperative Program, Lottie Moon and Annie Armstrong offering these are a partnership missions support plan that allows us to do far more together than we could individually.