Rhonda Ward

Philippians 4:15-20 (NIV)

15 Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; 16 for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid more than once when I was in need. 17 Not that I desire your gifts; what I desire is that more be credited to your account. 18 I have received full payment and have more than enough. I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. 19 And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.

20 To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Reflection:

Can you sense the smile of God that rested upon the generous little church in Philippi? 

There was an eagerness about the Philippians, they made giving a priority, it was a desire of their heart. They gave instantly, willingly and sufficiently.

In today’s passage, Paul reveals the truths about giving. While Paul was amply supplied and content in his circumstances he tells us in this letter that he wanted the Philippians to experience the blessing that issues from generosity.

Generosity is not an economic issue, generosity is a heart issue. Obviously, you can’t give what you don’t have, but you can give what you do have, even if it seems insignificant. 

Paul is writing this letter from prison. Though the Philippians were not in prison with Paul, they participated in his afflictions by their sympathy and monetary sacrifice. Jesus teaches us that generosity is giving sacrificially, not out of surplus, trusting God with your next, which is what the Philippians did. 

What’s your motivation for giving, what prompts you to be generous, with your time, your treasure, your talent?

The interesting thing about generosity is the power of generosity, it’s the blessing the giver receives. 

The day was dreadfully hot and humid, and we were distributing lunches near Gethsemane at an apartment complex whose glory had long since faded. We set up on a giant slab of concrete that used to have tennis nets but now sported weeds and spray-painted artwork. Along with the wagons filled with sack lunches, we’d brought along a bag of nerf sports equipment. I pulled out a football, spinning it in my hands, hoping to play catch. And that was the blessing for me – I got to teach eager kids how to run pass routes and catch a football. Talk about a fun afternoon – these kids were generous in their smiles, laughs, and playful spirit. I was filled up!

Generosity is an antidote … to anxiety, boredom, fear, greed, stress. If these damaging emotions invade your soul on occasion, disrupt your peace, rattle your foundation – consider a generous action that would benefit others. It may surprise you how giving sacrificially relieves a feeling of isolation, or dissipates a gripping tension. 

While it was monetary gifts the Philippians sent with Epaphroditus, generosity takes all forms. Spend time with people in need. Make space in your life – it’s a very small step to go from knowing someone in need to helping someone in need.

Find a person you believe in. Take careful notice of the people you most admire. What organizations and causes do they hold most dear, and how do their passions flame their generosity? 

Spend time with a person whose superpowers naturally draw others in with kind and encouraging words. Being in their presence is inspiring, take note of what it is that makes them different, and how their humble spirit serves others well.

Giving is done sacrificially, not out of the abundance of our extra. What we do with our resources is a window into our souls. The question is, what does God see when He looks in?

What simple steps have you incorporated into your life to foster generosity, to sense the smile of God when He looks into your heart?

Prayer:
Lord, help me recognize and seek more opportunities to be generous. Help me to trust you with my next. Help me to allow your extravagant generosity to saturate my spirit, so that I can love others, which in return helps me love you more. Amen.