Benefits of Christian Giving (Phil. 4:14-19)

Christian giving is a basic activity of the church. There are several passages in which Paul deals with this topic. For example, in 2 Corinthians he gives instructions concerning a geographically widespread collection that was being taken throughout the churches in Gentile locations for the purpose of giving aid to the hard-pressed believers in Jerusalem. Here in Philippians 4 he responds to the aid that had been sent to him recently by the church in Philippi.

How are we to view Christian giving? The basic answer is that we are to view it in the same way as we view all other activities in the Christian life, which is that we are contributing to the progress, population and prospects of the most amazing kingdom on earth. What is to motivate Christian leadership? The progress, population and prospects of the most amazing kingdom on earth. What is the purpose behind Christian service? The progress, population and prospects of the most amazing kingdom on earth.

Three leadership priorities of Paul

Paul was always conscious of his role as a chosen servant of Jesus Christ. Throughout his letters, especially at the beginning of each, he refers to his position as an apostle set apart for the service of Christ. In this passage of Philippians, Paul again reveals how aware he was of his task.

The first way in which his attentiveness is seen is in his great care he has for his reputation. It is clear from these verses that Paul is very careful regarding any financial gifts he receives. Today, one of the main barriers to credibility among both church leaders and politicians is their use of financial gifts. The ancient world had its suspicions regarding public figures as well because it was common for wandering teachers to speak in public in order to obtain financial reward. Paul also spoke in a public way and was thus open to receiving financial rewards. Therefore he determined to be very careful regarding how people responded to his needs. In his list of qualifications for church office, Paul insists that elders and deacons are not under the control of money (1 Tim. 3:3, 8). He ensured that he lived up to the standards that he required in other servants of Christ.

The second way in which his emphasis on appropriate leadership is shown is in his concern for the Philippians. Obviously, he is thankful for their gift, yet the clear point of these verses is not about the benefits their gift brought to Paul in Rome but to the present and future benefits that would come to the Philippians. We can imagine the church in Philippi meeting together after Epaphroditus returns home. He would give a report of all that he saw, and no doubt his fellow church members would be very excited as he spoke of the spread of the gospel. Yet we can picture the sense of affection that would be experienced by these believers as Epaphroditus informed them that Paul had taken their gift joyfully because he knew that it would result in great blessings for them from God. Even in his own difficult situation, Paul was more concerned about them that about himself.

A third way in which Paul displays his leadership priorities is his public commendation of the Philippians for their participation: ‘Nevertheless you have done well that you shared in my distress’ (v. 14). Such a response is obviously wise; only an ungrateful person would forget to commend those who helped him. Paul highlights that they have ‘done well’, and in doing so he is an example of what church leaders should be. They are to encourage those who do anything, no matter how small, for the cause of Christ.

Three servant priorities of the Philippians

The first priority is stated by Paul in verses 15 and 16 when he mentions the continuation of the Philippians in providing for the Lord’s work. The recent act of kindness by the Philippians was not the first time that they had helped the apostle. In fact, their participation in his ministry had begun when they commenced existence as a church. Although Paul had been forced to leave their presence because of opposition (Acts 16), he had not left their hearts. On several occasions, they had sent aid to him when he was in Philippi.

Paul seems to be indicating here that it is wise for givers to be regular in their support of a specific cause. No doubt, there will be occasions when a one-off donation is necessary. Yet Christian giving should be a means of creating and maintaining a bond between the givers and the recipients. The givers should accompany their gift with prayer and the recipients should accompany their gratitude with information.

In this action, these Philippian believers are our examples. What is often needed today in believers is stickability in the Lord’s work. How often how we said to a person that we will pray for them or that we will support them financially in what they are doing for God. Yet with the passing of time we forget these commitments. The Philippians did not, and when the occasion arose, they resumed their involvement.

The second priority that believers should have is to be always aware of compensation in the future (v. 16). Why did Paul want them to give to the Lord’s cause? His reason was not his sense of ease. Instead he wanted fruit that ‘abounds to your account’. He is using banking terminology here. Each of these believers has an account in the bank of heaven and their action in helping Paul had increased their heavenly wealth. Their action is an example of Christ’s instruction to his disciples that they should not store treasures in earth but in heaven. The gift of the Philippians was probably costly and sacrificial in earthly terms, yet their heavenly reward would more than compensate.

Paul’s words here are a reminder to us of the need of a heavenly perspective on what we give. Although we usually give to a person or a situation on earth, the fact of the matter is that we are investing in heavenly glory. Sometimes the impression is given that it is unchristian to have such an outlook. Yet the New Testament stresses the necessity of keeping our spiritual eye on the glory to come, not only in the sense of observing it or even participating in it, but also in having as much of it as possible. Faithfulness to Jesus and his cause in this world will result in greater personal capacity to enjoy the life of the new heavens and new earth throughout the endless ages. This perspective gives a sense of what should be priorities.

The third priority for the Christians in Philippi was ongoing consecration to God’s purpose (vv. 17-18). Paul explains to the Philippians how the Lord regarded their aid; they were ‘a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God.’ The obvious deduction is that we do not give primarily to a person or to a church or to an organisation. Instead we give to God. Giving with this understanding pleases God. This is a reminder that the main issue is not the amount that we give but how we give the amount.

This act was an indication of their dedication to God. The Lord does not want animal sacrifices from us as signs of our commitment to him. Instead he wants practical expressions of our devotion. Paul often uses the language of sacrifice to depict Christian living. One of the best-known verses is Romans 12:1-2: ‘I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God [all that he has done for them as detailed by Paul in Romans 1–11], that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.’

Peter writes that believers, ‘as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ’ (1 Pet. 2:5). The writer to the Hebrews tells us what these sacrifices involve: ‘Therefore by him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to his name. But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased’ (Heb. 13:15-16).

Confidence of God’s provision (v. 19)

Verse 19 is one of the best known of Bible verses: ‘And my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.’ It is important to see that its promises belong to the list of benefits that Paul indicates belong to those who give to Christ’s cause. He has mentioned the benefits (1) of sharing in Paul’s ministry and of giving joy to him, (2) of increasing one’s heavenly bank account, (3) and of giving pleasure to God. Now he mentions a fourth benefit: divine supply to meet our needs.

In looking at this verse, it is hard to assess which is the most notable word in it. If we were to omit some of them, the promise would still be great. For example, without the word ‘my’, it is still a reminder of who is the Giver. Without the word ‘all’, it is still a reminder of our condition. Change the words ‘according to’ to ‘out of,’ it is still a reminder of the storehouse in which our blessings are contained. Yet although the promise would be great even with these changes, it would not be as rich as the promise Paul wrote.

Often the word ‘my’ makes a great deal of difference. It points here to a most wonderful relationship between believers and God, a covenant relationship in which God promises to deal with each of them in grace. Each believer has this personal and permanent bond with the great and gracious God who has forgiven him and brought him into his fellowship.

In addition to a covenant relationship, Paul states that there is a certainty about his supply. This is a reminder of both the faithfulness and the ability of God. In contrast to humans who may have the desire to help but the inability to perform, God has unmitigated determination and unlimited power to bring blessing to each of his people. Of course, it is their needs that are met. We have to be careful that we don’t regard God as continually having to supply everything we desire for a comfortable life. He has not promised a trouble-free life, but he has promised his grace will be sufficient for every situation that will come our way.

So this verse teaches that the covenant God will certainly and comprehensively help each of his children. Note that Paul does not say that they will be helped out of God’s riches. Instead our needs will be met according to God’s riches in glory. Paul’s point can be illustrated by the contrast between help given by pauper and help given by the wealthiest person. There would be a big difference between what each of these persons could do. Yet no matter how large the variation, it is nothing in comparison to the distinction between all that a wealthy person could give and what God can give. Inevitably, the wealthy person’s resources would be adversely affected, but God’s resources cannot decrease because they are infinite.

Further, Paul reminds the Philippians that the administration of the heavenly riches is in the hands of Jesus Christ. Of course, Paul repeats this wonderful reality whenever he sends greetings in a letter. He says in them that grace and peace come from God the Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ. Whatever we need for our spiritual journey, Jesus will deliver it personally to our souls through the work of the heavenly Comforter, the Holy Spirit.

The Philippians had not lost although they had given sacrificially. Instead their earthly prospects were brighter, and no-one on earth can describe their heavenly reward.