Chuck Larsen

Paul’s expression of gratitude for the financial support he received was clearly expressed. Yet he wanted them to know that much of his thankfulness had to do with witnessing the spiritual maturity of a group of believers who would give to advance the gospel by supporting Paul’s efforts. He wanted them to know that his motive in his ministry is never for personal gain. In Philippians 4:17 he expresses that and then adds to it that much of his gratitude was in witnessing the deposits that the Philippians were making into their spiritual accounts in heaven. He says, “Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit.” His motive is not to receive personal support but he “seeks” the growth of the giver as well as the credits accruing to their accounts with God. There are many increases to the accounts of givers. They lay up treasure in heaven and they even get the joys of giving on earth.

Paul wants them to know that it wasn’t so much the gift as it was the giving the pleased him. I remember my first year in Seminary. We were living in H.U.D. apartments in the inner city of Dallas. After church one Sunday a gentleman handed me $20 and said he and his wife wanted to take us to dinner but he had been called away and had to leave. He wanted us to go out on them. Now $20, even in 1982, wasn’t all that much and there were four of us. But I can’t tell you what that did for me in that this man said that he loved to contribute to Seminary students whenever he could because he knew that God would use them and he wanted to partner in some little way with them. His vote of confidence in me greatly encouraged me. Even after 30 years I think of him and consider him as a partner with me every time I share the gospel or am preaching a sermon.

God owns the cattle on a thousand hills and can sell any of them at any time and provide for the support of his ministers. He used a raven to feed Elijah. Yet, he chooses to use people. I’ve also found in the years since then when I’ve been more blessed to be on the giving side rather than just on the receiving side that Jesus’ last recorded words are absolutely correct. He said “It is more blessed (happy!), to give than to receive.” This is one of the best beatitudes of all. The beatitudes in Matthew show us how to be blessed or happy, but this one shows us how to be “more” blessed or happy. It’s a great reminder to me as a minister of the gospel to remember that I must be more concerned about what I may give to my church than what I can get from my church. Ask not what your church can do for you, but what you can do for your church!

The generous heart of the Philippian church was seen on numerous occasions as we’ve seen. Paul not only received this gift while in Rome but he remembers their support from the very beginning. On Paul’s second missionary journey he had traveled from Philippi to Thessalonica. Paul reminds them that from the very beginning of the church in Philippi they had supported him in the ministry. He reminds them of this in Philippians 4:16 when he says, “Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again.” There was more than one installment of support from them as soon as he left them to minister at another location.

I expect that there were other churches that contributed to Paul’s ministry while he was in their area ministering specifically to them in that area. Even the Corinthians tried to help Paul financially while he was ministering to them but because of harsh criticism from others he refused to accept their help. Because of their “carnality” Paul said to them, in II Corinthians 11:8-9, “I robbed other churches, taking wages from them to minister to you (the Corinthians, a wealthy church, by the way). And when I was present with you, and in need, I was a burden to no one, for what I lacked the brethren who came from Macedonia (the Philippians) supplied. And in everything I kept myself from being burdensome to you, and so I will keep myself.” Obviously, the Philippian church was “mission” minded. They were passionate about the spread of the gospel all around the world not just in their neighborhood.

Most churches are willing to help those who are ministering among them, but to find a church that will support those who leave to minister elsewhere is indeed rare and wonderful. You might remember that Paul fled for his life from Philippi and traveled on foot about 90 miles south to Thessalonica. I can just imagine his relief and sense of gratitude when he received their contribution after his arrival! Richison observes here that “Wealth does not make a giver. The Thessalonican church was wealthy but did not meet Paul’s financial needs. The city of Thessalonica was larger and wealthier than Philippi.” Every Christian worker knows the joys of receiving substantial support. It’s wonderful to find those who realize that even missionaries and pastor have a stomach as well as a soul. We often find those who will pray for us, but the Philippians prayed for him and supported him financially.

Paul insisted that he wasn’t in “need” and could remain joyful and contented in all situations in life. This was true for him even through the many trials and hardships he’d experienced on his many journeys while preaching the Gospel of Christ. Even in prison Paul remained joyful and encouraged his readers to do so also. Yet, Paul was grateful that the Philippians supported him financially and thanked them. In Philippians 4:14 Paul says, “Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble.” Another translation says, “…you have done well that you shared in my distress.” Notice that those who supported Paul “shared” in the work. They had become partners in the ministry. I’m convinced that all those who participate in advancing the Gospel of God’s love for the world will receive the same reward. All players on the team get the championship ring!

I’ve been a full-time pastor since 1987. That means I’ve drawn a salary as a preacher of the Gospel of Jesus Christ for 27 years. From 1980 to 1987 I preached about 20 times a year on average without recompense. While in Seminary I preached often at small churches around Dallas as often as I could. I first spoke publicly in 1979 a year after I became a Christian at 32 years of age. I was determined to preach the gospel with or without remuneration. I preached often on Sundays after unloading semi-trucks full of UPS boxes at the hub in Mesquite, Texas from 10 at night to 3 in the morning. Believe me; it’s much nicer to be on salary as a full-time pastor than it is to be a tent-making pastor. I know several of them and admire them greatly for their determination to preach the gospel with or without a salary. Paul knew what that was like and ended going back to tent-making while in Corinth for some time. It was the Philippians that sent him the financial gift that enabled him to go back into full time ministry. That’s why he calls them all “fellow workers” in the gospel.

It seems to me that the Corinthian believers were averse to supporting their preachers. That’s why Paul addresses the issue in his letter to them. In 1 Corinthians 9:14, he says, “Even so the LORD has commanded that those who preach the gospel should live from the gospel” (I Cor. 9:14). Earlier, in his letter writing to the churches in Galatia he says, “Let him who is taught in the word share in all good things (finances) with him who teaches” (Gal. 6:6). Then again in his letter to Timothy he says, “Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine. For the Scripture says, ‘You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain.’ and ‘The laborer is worthy of his wages’” (I Tim. 5:17, 18). This is a unique verse in that it quotes both the Old Testament and the New Testament showing financial support is crucial for the work of the Lord. Paul says to those who support the ministry of the gospel, “you have done well.” He thanks you, and I thank you!

The Daily Bread reports: The Hope College Women’s basketball team had made it to the national playoffs. The final game saw Hope 20 points behind with 10 minutes left to play. The team remained calm and began to narrow the gap. Then with just 5 seconds remaining, a 3 point basket tied the game. The final score was decided by Dina Disney. With no time left on the clock, she sank two free throws to win the game. When television and press interviewers asked her how she stayed calm under so much pressure, Dina said she recited to herself, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

As John Butler observes in his commentary on the book of Philippians, “Seldom, if ever, is this text quoted in its context. Paul is not speaking of ability to do just anything. He is specifically speaking here of having the ability to adjust to any income or material situation. This is where the text needs more application than in any other area.” I wouldn’t limit this text to just material situations, but rather to being in want or having abundance. It could be in other areas than just finances. The general words used could mean something like “I can be content when I’m healthy and I can be content when I’m sick.” It might mean “I can be content when I’m at work at hard labor and I can be content when I’m at leisure.” The point is that Paul has learned the secret of being content in every and all circumstances in life.

Anthony Ash also comments on the context of Philippians 4:13 in his commentary. He says, “This verse is often misapplied, though with good intentions. Paul’s statement must be understood in context.” He explains that the phrase “all things” “is not a universal statement, suggesting that anything in all of life can be done by God’s power. Of course that power is without limit, but there are things God did not and does not intend to do, such as removing Paul’s thorn in the flesh. We must see that Paul spoke here of the secret of contentment.” I’m glad the Hope College Women’s basketball team came back for the win and that Dina made the winning basket but would she have the same thought if she had lost? Paul says, “I can be content when win, and I can be content when I lose.” Paul learned that God’s grace was sufficient for him even with a thorn in the flesh or while in prison. It’s not my circumstances that determine my contentment. Gary Weedman concludes, “The source of joy and contentment is Jesus Christ, and not in what mankind can or cannot do for him.”

After thanking the Philippians for their generosity, Paul explains that money isn’t his primary concern. He’s grateful for their gift but Paul finds peace and contentment with or without financial support. His gratitude is not based on their provision of something for him that he couldn’t have done without. He is confident that God will meet his needs all along the way. He doesn’t stress out or fret about his physical needs. He says in Philippians 4:11, “Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.” He had learned that his life was more than what he ate or wore or where he lived.

I think of all the specifics in my life today; I need windows replaced because of the hail storm back in June. But, I’ll be content with or without them? I’m still wrestling with a broken arm that just doesn’t want to heal. But, I’ll be content even if it doesn’t heal? There are numerous other little concerns in my life and I’m sure you can make a list of your own. I have to admit that I’m not quit as spiritual as Paul. I still find myself wrestling with what I want and what I feel I “need.” Paul is primarily concerned about spiritual things. I’m still wrestling with my fleshly desires. I take some encouragement that Paul’s maturity with regards to his circumstances is something that wasn’t natural to him any more than it is natural to me and you. It’s something that comes with experience.

Notice in the verse that says “I have learned…” It didn’t come natural. He’s been a believer for over 30 years after being radically converted on the road to Damascus. He’s been through much pain and suffering as he embarked on three previous missionary journeys. He’s been beaten. He’s been stoned and left for dead. He’s been shipwrecked and imprisoned already for several years in Caesarea as well as Rome. It took a lot of trials to teach Paul contentment. Richison observes, “Contentment is not something that comes naturally. In his early years he grew up in the lap of luxury. At that time he had not learned contentment. At this point in his life he is needy; yet he is content. ‘Contentment’ is not automatic. Paul ‘learned’ contentment in the School of Hard Knocks. Courses in that school are difficult. We think university is tough. It is not nearly as difficult as God’s Graduate School. Can we say with the Psalmist, ‘It is good for me that I have been afflicted (119:71)?”