Exploring Philippians 4: Giving and Receiving - A Deeper Dive

Join Reagan as he takes us through Philippians 4:10-23, discussing the concepts of giving and receiving within a Christian context. In this session, Reagan reflects on the teachings and actions of Jesus that aren't recorded in the Gospels and highlights additional sayings of Jesus found in the New Testament. Focusing on the lesson 'It is more blessed to give than to receive,' Reagan uses Paul's letter to the Philippians to illustrate the importance of looking for opportunities to help others, being content yet acknowledging our needs, and recognizing the ultimate grace given by God. This thoughtful exploration encourages both practical and spiritual insights into generosity, contentment, and Christian fellowship.

00:00 Introduction and Opening Remarks
00:49 The Unrecorded Words and Deeds of Jesus
03:45 The Blessing of Giving Over Receiving
05:01 Paul's Gratitude and Contentment
07:14 Lessons on Giving and Receiving
10:10 Empathy and Responsibility in Giving
22:46 Encouragement in Sharing
27:06 God's Grace in Fulfilling Needs
31:31 Conclusion and Call to Action

Transcript

It is good to be with you this afternoon. If you have your Bible with you, would you take it out please and turn to Philippians chapter four. Philippians chapter four. We'll be looking beginning in verse 10 here in just a moment, and that opening will provide the text for the points that will be in our lesson.

This afternoon, this evening, Philippians chapter four, beginning in verse 10. So grateful that you're here tonight. Grateful that you're turning in your Bibles to Philippians chapter four, and grateful for the opportunity one that I don't take lightly to share with you a few thoughts from God's word.

If you are in the Philippians class, this is a promised lesson to you to all the rest who were not in the Philippians class. Hopefully, you will get just as much out of it. As they do. Do you ever think about all of the things that Jesus said and did that are not recorded in the gospels? I mean, that's fascinating to me.

I think about what John said at the end of the gospel that bears his name, that, that if they were to write down all of the things that Jesus said and did he supposed, well, all the books in the world couldn't contain all of the things that Jesus said and did. I, I think a lot about that and, and how fascinating it would be to have access to more of the sayings of Jesus, to more of the miracles of Jesus, and, and the gospel writers give us a lot, don't get me wrong.

But they had specific purposes for recounting and sharing the things that they did and, and they achieved those purposes. But just for sake of fascination, I wish we had so much more. But we do, if you think about it, have some glimpses from credible sources of other things that Jesus said and did beyond just the gospel accounts.

The woman caught in adultery in John Chapter eight, for example, is almost certainly not in John's original gospel. Now that's a, a beloved account for all of us, no doubt. But when you look at the textual evidence, that account probably not, was not in John's original gospel, but it is believed to be an oral tradition about Jesus, and it almost certainly was something that actually really happened.

And so that is kind of a glimpse. Here's something that was not originally recorded in the gospels, but it is something that Jesus said and did. Now we have even more credible sources than, than that. And by that I mean things that we find in the New Testament text beyond the gospels that tell us additional information of things that Jesus said and did beyond what's in the gospel accounts.

We have at least a couple of examples of that, maybe as many of us five, depending on how you wanna look at it. The most famous and well known of those examples where, where the New Testament authors give us additional information of things that Jesus said is probably Acts chapter 20 and verse 35. As the apostle Paul is talking to the Ephesian elders, he says, I have shown you in every way by laboring like this.

That is by working when I was an emphasis to support myself and provide for my necessities that you must support the weak. You need to all be working and doing your part to support those who are in need. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus that he said it is more blessed to give than to receive.

Where is that in the gospels? Can't find it. It's not there. But the apostle Paul knew this, had heard this, and now relays this to the Ephesian elders where they, they heard it and understood it as well. I want us to think about that concept. It is more blessed to give than to receive this thing that Jesus said.

And I want us to think about that concept for a few moments this evening, especially as that concept from our Lord is expressed and given a clear example in Philippians chapter four, verses 10 through 23. So tonight, let's think about blessed to receive. But more blessed to give and we'll use the end of Philippians as an example for that very thing.

Now, as we think about this I originally in my image, I had a picture of someone handing money to another, but I think that gave maybe the wrong impression because this isn't just about financial gifts. Now it would include the things that we give financially, but it also includes anything where we might be in need.

Or we might be in abundance where we can help or be helped by our brethren. So let's go ahead and read Philippians chapter four, beginning in verse 10, and we'll read through the end of the chapter. And then what we'll go through is, we'll, what we'll do next is we'll just go through and make some points in order from what we see in this text.

Begin reading with me if you would, verse 10 of Philippians chapter four. Now, this is a church that Paul was really close with and they have sent a representative Aphrodite with a gift a financial help to him in his need as he's in prison, probably in Rome, well, certainly in Rome here in the book of Philippians.

And he needs help from them for his physical necessities. So read with me beginning verse 10. I already said that, but we're really gonna do it this time. I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last, your care for me is flourished Again, though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity. Not that I speak in regard to need for, I have learned in whatever state I am to be content.

I know how to be abased and I know how to abound everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Nevertheless, you have done well that you shared in my distress. Now, you Philippians know also that in the beginning of the gospel when I departed from Macedonia, no church shared with me concerning giving and receiving.

But you only for, even in Thessalonica, you sent aid once and again for my necessities. Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account. Indeed, I have all and abound. I am full. Having received from Aphrodite, the things sent from you, a sweet smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God and my God shall supply all your need.

According to his riches and glory by Christ Jesus. Now to our God and Father, be glory forever and ever. Amen. Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren who are with me greet you. All the saints greet you, but especially those who are of Caesar's household, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.

Amen. So what is it that we learn from these? Passages regarding giving and receiving, especially as it relates to our brethren. Well notice a few truths with me in order from this passage. The first thing that I wanna point out to you is there in verse 10, he says, I'm rejoicing because you, your care for me has flourished.

Again. Look, you cared the whole time, but you didn't have opportunity before this moment to to share with me, and so I think there's something to be learned for us. We need to be looking for opportunities to give. That's what the church in Philippi was doing in many ways. They created an opportunity. They knew.

They knew Paul was in need. So what do they do? They send someone from their congregation to go and to provide for those needs. They wanted to give, but lacked opportunities. As soon as a legitimate need arose, they jumped at the opportunity that they would be given. They had been given. It reminds me a lot of the attitude that Paul describes in writing to Timothy in one Timothy chapter six and verse 18, where he's talking about those who are rich in this present age.

And he says, let them do good, that they may be rich in good works. Listen, ready to give, willing to share. Ready to give, willing to share. That should be the attitude of every Christian ready to give, willing to share. And if that's the attitude, always ready, always looking. We will jump at the opportunity when it arises.

Well, what is the opportunity, Reagan? Well, there are lots of opportunities. First, with our brethren and then with the world. And sometimes these opportunities are unexpected. I was walking into Baby Brookshires just this past week after we got home. I guess it must have been Saturday yesterday.

And this sweet young lady said, as, as I'm walking in, she's sitting at this table and she says, as I'm passing by, and I had to stop and say, okay. What did she say to me? She said, would you like to buy a meal for a family in need? Would you like to buy a meal for a family in need? I asked her so many questions, bless her heart.

I said, what families? Where, where are these families? Are they local? Are they here in this area? What's the organization that you're with? Are you working for them or working for somebody else? Does this money go straight to the meal or is some of it gonna be, you know, kind of cipher off the top? I asked her all these questions, poor thing, and she answered so kindly and so patiently.

I felt like I had no choice. But to buy a meal for a family in need, well, a meal for a family in need. Am I really ready to give, willing to share? I did. I did it and I didn't anticipate that opportunity, but I hope that I am always ready to give, willing to share. Secondly, and we're gonna spend just a little bit of time on this point, if you are in need, be reminded.

You're not the only one in need. Now, as soon as we say if you're in need we kind of, Henkel, is that the right word at that? We, we, we don't like the idea of that I'm, I don't know if I'm in need. Maybe we immediately think of financial need. No, I, all my needs are met, that sort of thing. But again, I want us to think beyond just financial needs.

All of the needs that we might have in our life, and all of the needs that we might have as Christians. If you are in need, you're in good company. You know who else was in need? The Apostle Paul in this passage, well sort of he was and he wasn't. Read verses 11 through 13 with me again, not that I speak in regard to need, well wait a second.

Reagan, you said he was in need and he says he's not in need. Stay with me for, I have learned in whatever state I am to be content. I know how to be a base and I know how to abound. Everywhere in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Now, he did say that he could be content without what they had given him, but he was still so very grateful for it, and that's kind of the tight walk, isn't it? Open, honest, grateful, but still content. We sing a song just in the last number of years we started singing this song in need. Shake Your Head if you're familiar with that song that we sing in need, and the things listed in that song in Need of grace, love, mercy, strength, peace, Christ.

Now specifically with Christ in Need of now, this is my summation, his sacrifice. His refuge and his holiness. I want you to raise your hand if you are in need of any of those things I just listed. And then the song ends. I am your child. I am in need. And I'll admit that line has always bothered me because if I'm his child, how can his child be in need?

He has fulfilled my needs. Not that I speak in regard to need, maybe as Paul would say here, but probably I was overthinking it because hopefully the writers were emphasizing that last part in need of Christ Paul wasn't truly in need. Why? Because I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. I have Christ, and so there is a sense in which I am in need of nothing.

I abound. I have all things that I truly need. In a spiritual sense, but in another sense, we're all in need of something from Christ, and Christ is the one who fulfills those needs. Now if you look at it, not spiritually, but physically, Paul was lacking. He was in need. He admitted that very thing. If you go back to Philippians chapter two and verse 25.

Yet, I considered it necessary to send to you, Aphrodite, my brother, fellow worker and fellow soldier, but your minister Messenger and the one who ministered to my what? To my need, to the needs that he had in chapter four in verse 14. Nevertheless, you have done well in that. You shared in my. Distress. New King James Virgin says, I was in need.

I was distressed about these things. Dropped down to verse 16. For even in Thessalonica, you sent aid once and again for my necessities. Paul admitted his need, his distress, and his lack of necessities. If the Apostle Paul could admit to being in need, who am I to say, you know, I have need of nothing from my brethren, from Christ or anyone else, but we get worried, even embarrassed sometimes about receiving help from others.

And maybe we need to be reminded. You're not the only one who's in need. We all are in need in one way or another. Who had acne as a teen? I had acne as a teen. I did all sorts of different things to try and hold it back, to keep it at bay, right? I had cleaners and creams and different things, and along those lines and thinking back to your teenage years, you're so worried about that pimple on your face.

And, and maybe if it's bad enough, others might even tease you about it, but more than likely. No one else really notices the pimple on your face. Why? Because they're too concerned about the pimple on their face to worry about yours. Everyone is in need in one way or another, and it is more blessed to give.

Jesus says, implying what? It's also blessed to receive. It's still blessed to receive, and you shouldn't be ashamed about it if you are genuinely in need. All are in one sense or another, is even Paul was in the sense of his physical necessities. Now, at the same time, to provide balance, the goal is to not be in need all the time about everything.

If you think to Ephesians chapter five, mark your spot in Philippians, go back just a few pages to Ephesians chapter five. It's three pages in my Bible. Excuse me. Ephesians chapter four and verse 28, Ephesians chapter four and verse 28, and talking about the transformation that comes about because of the Christian life.

Notice what the Apostle Paul says led him who stole still no longer. Yes, there were Christians who were thieves, even among the church in Ephesus, but here's what replaces that as a, as a new creature, as a Christian. Rather let him labor. Working with his hands. What is good that he may have something to give him?

Who has need. Ultimately, the position we should be in is as givers, our goal is to work in God's kingdom and to grow in our faith and practice where we are in a position to give rather than just receive, because Jesus said, what? It is more blessed to give than to receive. Let me give you one more example of this.

Again, I said we're gonna sit on this point here for just a few minutes. Turn to Galatians chapter six if you would. Galatians chapter six.

That's three more pages back in my Bible toward the front Galatians chapter six. Begin reading with me in verse one, brethren, Paul says. If a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself, lest you also be tempted, bear one another's burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ.

So Paul's clearly has in mind more needs here than just financial, right? This is temptation. This is falling into sin, and there's a need there and, and brethren need to try and bear those burdens. Verse three for if anyone thinks himself to be something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. I can do it.

I don't need any help. I'm really something. No, you're a sinner like the rest of us, and you do need help. Verse four. But let each one examine his own work and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone and not in another. For each one shall bear his own load. Maybe your translation says he will bear his own burden.

Now is Paul talking outta both sides of the mouth of his mouth. Here he says, bear one another's burden. Bear your own burden. You need to help other people. You don't need to be looking for help from other people. I think all he is doing is showing two sides of the same coin here of work or burden or responsibility.

Paul calls us several times in these verses to look inward. Consider yourself, don't deceive yourself. Examine your own work. Bear your own load. He calls us to ask the question, what is my individual responsibility in regard to the needs that I might have and the needs of other people? What can I and should I be doing?

And if I do that thing that I can and should be doing, I can rejoice in knowing that I did not make someone else do something that was my responsibility that I could have done myself. Now, this is not the same attitude that refuses to accept help, but it is an attitude of commitment to do my part. I'm not gonna leave my brother or sister in Christ High and dry because I abandon my responsibility because I just wanted them to do it for me.

No, I'm going to bear my own load. And in our culture, it's good to be reminded. It's not everyone else's responsibility to take care of me all the time. We need to get beyond that in a society where everything is everyone else's fault, and it is the responsibilities of others to fix my mistakes, and too many are looking for a way out of doing what they're supposed to do.

I have a duty, I have a responsibility. I have a God-given role that I'm supposed to fulfill. I am supposed to do my part, but we are also called to look outward in these verses. We are reminded that it is our burden, not just mine, our burden, our responsibility to help others. And so there are terms like brethren restore such a one bear, one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ share in all good things.

If we were to look there in verse six and continue in the reading, which brings us back to Philippians chapter four. We have these two sides of the coin. We're not the only one in need, but we need to be looking to fulfill the needs of others, and in order to do that, we are going to have to be empathetic toward the needs of other people.

Go back to Philippians chapter four. Let's read verse 14 together. Philippians chapter four and verse 14. Nevertheless, you have done well that you shared in my distress. The English standard version says it was kind of you to share my trouble. Well, it wasn't really their trouble, not the Philippians trouble, but they shared it with Paul as if it was their own.

And we need to have that same sort of attitude toward other people in trouble, that we weep with those who weep, that we take on their trouble as if it's our own and say, how can I help? Again, thinking beyond financial needs. I think for me personally impatience is maybe my biggest temptation for those whom I'm seeking to help with their temptations.

That's ironic, isn't it? Considering your selfless, you also be tempted, right? I'm impatient. I'm tempted to be impatient with others in their temptations. Why aren't they getting past this? What's the problem? Why is this still going on? And so what I have to try and do is be empathetic to try and put myself in their shoes, not usually with the temptation that they're, that they're going through, which might not be mine.

But thinking about temptations that I have, that I still, that I still have trouble with, that I still fight against. And say, oh, that's what this is like for them. That's why they still need help for this. That's why they're still in need for this temptation, because I'm still in need for this other temptation over here.

What do they feel the Philippians felt for Paul? They shared in his trouble. They shared in his distress. They were right there with him, even though they were thousands of miles away. They put themselves in his shoes and helped him, gave to him based on that empathy. Next, if we read verses 15 through 18 I want us to think about this that we learn in regard to giving and receiving.

Sometimes again, there can be discouragement that comes because others don't give the way we think they ought to. And I want to encourage you to look at these verses and imitate Paul. To be encouraged by those who do share, not discouraged by those who don't share. Be encouraged by those who do share, not discouraged by those who don't share, even though they could, might be, is what we would put on the end of that.

Notice what he says if we keep reading beginning there in verse 15. Now you Philippians know also that in the beginning of the gospel when I departed from Macedonia, that's where he was there in Philippi. No church shared with me concerning giving and receiving, but you only for, even in Thessalonica, you sent aid once and again for my necessities, not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds on your account.

That is, it's more blessed to give than to receive. Indeed, I have all things in a bound. I am full. Having received from a paphitis, the things sent from you, a sweet smelling aroma. An acceptable sacrifice. Well, pleasing to God. I think this is such a, a vitally important point. You say, of course you do.

Reagan, you made the point. No, I think Paul makes the point here. How many churches could have shared with Paul in his distress, in his need? Dozens, maybe more. How many do we know of that Did one. Church in Philippi, and Paul was more grateful for that one than he was discouraged by the many who did not help.

What a lesson for us in giving, in receiving, in evangelism. It's easy to lose focus and get discouraged by all the failures, by all those who aren't doing what they ought to be doing. But Jesus's focus. Paul's here in this passage. Jesus's focus was always on the one sheep that was lost and then found, and the angels in heaven rejoiced over that one sheep.

So too with us, we should be encouraged by those who are faithful and working and giving. Will you look around this room here for just a moment. If you're watching with us online, that's a little difficult to do, but I want you to look around. And I say this not to compare ourselves with ourselves in, in, in so doing become unwise, but I ask who is more blessed with fateful workers, with fateful sharers in the things that they have and giving to others than we are?

Look around this room. Everywhere I look, I look at those who are more blessed to give than to receive because you give. While sometimes we're tempted to look at those who are refusing to give, who take and take and take, we need to be more encouraged by those who do share, not discouraged by those who don't share.

Well to this point, maybe these are all kind of, practical sort of things that we think about. I want us to take a step back as Paul does, he brings his letter to a close. By putting the focus back on God. Let's read verses 19 through 23. Finish the letter together. Well, pleasing to God was the last thing he said there in verse 18, the sacrifice of this gift that you gave.

And he says, my God shall supply all your need according to his riches and glory by Christ Jesus. Now to our God and Father, be glory forever and ever. Amen. Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren who are with me greet you. All the saints greet you, but especially those who are of Caesar's household, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, be with you all.

Amen. Our final point, our fifth and final point this evening is this, that like Paul, when it comes to sharing and giving and receiving with our brethren, we should look to God's grace as the ultimate means for fulfilling any. All needs. God is really the one who fulfills the needs that we have. God is the one who provides the things that we need that we might give to other people, and it is through those other people when we are in need.

It is God providing those gifts through them to meet those needs. As Paul talks about here, God will supply all your need according to his riches, and he ends in verse 23, the grace. Our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. At some point in every one of Paul's epistles, he says, grace to you in peace or something like that.

Grace in peace to you. And if we didn't know Paul better, we might think this was just a trite, empty greeting. I mean, grace to you was used in Greco-Roman culture. All over the kingdom. All over the empire. It was used as this kind of, Hey, how you doing? Grace to you, that sort of thing. It reminds me maybe of the phrase it's gonna be okay, or, or maybe to use a scriptural phrase, be warmed and filled, you know, grace to you, whatever you need.

But it is the second part of the phrase that Paul uses that makes this grace meaningful. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, be with you all. Amen. It is the grace that comes from Jesus Christ. As he says at the beginning of the letter, grace and peace from God, our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. It reminds me of what he says.

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. It is going to be okay, whatever you need because Christ is with you. I want you to turn to one last passage as we bring our lesson to a close. Turn to two Corinthians chapter nine. You know that this is one of my favorite passages in talking about grace and giving and receiving.

Chapters eight and nine are all about this concept. But I want to emphasize this final point by reading these verses that we need to look to God's grace as the ultimate means of fulfilling our needs. Paul says to the Corinthian brethren who are not nearly as open-handed as generous and his giving as the brethren in Philippi.

He reminds them that yes, it is more blessed to give than to receive because God is the one who's given us all things. In two Corinthians chapter nine, beginning in verse six, this is what he says, but this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly. He who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.

So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly nor of necessity. For God loves a cheerful giver and God is able to make all grace abound toward you. That you having all sufficiency in all things may have an abundance for every good work. Your needs are fulfilled so that you might fulfill the needs of others.

As it is written, he is dispersed abroad. He's given to the poor. His righteousness endures forever. Now, may he, that is God who supplies seed to the sower. Bread for food supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness while you are entrusted in everything for all liberality, for all generosity, which causes thanksgiving through us to God for the administration of this service, not only supplies the needs of the saints, but also is abounding through many Thanksgivings to God.

While through the proof of this ministry, they glorify God for the obedience of your confession to the Gospel of Christ and for your liberal sharing with them and all men, and that by their prayer for you who long for you because of the exceeding grace of God in you. Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift.

You know what Paul says there? It is blessed to receive and it is more blessed to give. Paul, a receiver in his Roman arrest, still saw and understood the words of our Lord as he communicates to the brethren In Philippi, it is more blessed to give than to receive. We are all receivers from our Lord, no doubt.

And the ultimate gift that we receive from him is salvation. Salvation through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, the greatest gift that ever has been or ever will be given. If you're here this evening and you're not yet a Christian, I tell you you are in need, in need of Christ. His sacrifice and what he offers, and if you're willing to come in humble submission to put Christ on in baptism, you can rise to walk and newness of life having your needs met from God the father.

Suddenly being in the position to give to others who have that same great need. If we can help you with that, even tonight, come now. But together we stand. And while we stand.