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Devotions based on week 12 of Joy in the Journey: Generosity (WATCH HERE)

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Philippians 4:18 I have received full payment and even more; 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.

Generosity comes from a heart of abundance.

Do you remember as a kid hanging onto a toy with such a grip that your knuckles turned white?  WIth all your might and vocal power you ensured your friend knew that the toy was “MINE!”  When asked by your mother to share the toy with your friend, you said even more emphatically, “NO!  IT’S MINE!”

Does this child ever go away?

Perhaps the decibel level of the reaction is minimal and your mother isn’t around to challenge your willingness to be generous and share, but inside our hearts can react with a solid, “NO! IT’S MINE” whenever the topic of giving and generosity comes up.

Why is that?

First we have a sinful nature that is naturally selfish.  We just don’t want to.

Second, we have a great sense of ownership and what we have earned, purchased or received is the product of hard work and we are not going to part with it easily.

Third, we believe giving and generosity is a “Zero Sum Game.”  By this we think that if we give something away, it naturally creates a void that will not be filled.  What we give is subtracted from us so we end up with “zero.”

So, if you are not feeling like being generous and this message series is a bit triggering, it’s to be expected.  You too have a sinful nature.

But for every person with a sinful nature comes a Savior who is abundantly generous.  He was willing to give up all to give you what stuff could never buy, a ticket to heaven.  When we are unwilling to share our possessions in generosity, he comes to remind us all we have is really a gift of grace from him.  When we feel like if we are generous we won’t have enough for ourselves, he points us to the creation he made and reminds us that what he gives to provide for his creation is limitless.

So he changes our hearts from selfishness to generosity, from scarcity to abundance.  

Paul reminds us in 2 Corinthians 9:6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

Your heavenly Father always has more to give.  He is able and willing to give you all things that you need so you can abound in every good work.  You CAN be generous because you live as recipients of God’s abundance of grace and goodness.  You CAN be generous because God is more than willing to replace and multiply what you give away.  You CAN be generous because the Spirit of God is working to replace you scarcity, zero-based heart with a heart that is filled with abundance and generosity.

The Philippians and their gift to Paul is just one example of Christians who freely were willing to give to support the Gospel of Jesus.  For sure, they were not lacking after they gave, but rather were filled with the knowledge that the God who gave them all things was the very God who loved them and gave all for them.

Give abundantly and watch your generosity bless others richly and bless you tremendously!

 

Apply: What situations do you find yourself like a child saying, “No!  It’s mine”?  Try doing the opposite of your sinful nature and be led by the Spirit to be generous.

Prayer: Lord, thank you that in all circumstances you have been generous.  Forgive me for my scarcity and selfishness.  Renew me by your Spirit to live and give from a heart of abundance and generosity.  AMEN.

Devotions based on week 12 of Joy in the Journey: Generosity (WATCH HERE)

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Philippians 4:17 Not that I am looking for a gift, but I am looking for what may be credited to your account.

When Paul wrote to the Ephesians in chapter 2:10, he indicates that our purpose is wrapped up in doing the good works which God planned in advance for us to do.

Ephesians 2:10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

What are those good works God has prepared for you?

Maybe we more naturally think about the acts of service we do.  Helping a relative with a project they can’t do on their own.  Feeding those that are hungry.  Serving in the kids’ ministry.

But how many times do we think of our bank account as something God prepared for us in advance for us to perform an act of faith?  Do we even think about our financial giving to the Lord through the local church as a fruit of faith?

Maybe one of our reactions to encouragements for financial generosity is one of resistance.  We may even think that “the church has no business talking about my money.”  Or we may think of it as an obligation for us to do so we check the box of being a good Christian.

Paul wrote to the Corinthians,  But just as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us—see that you also excel in this grace of giving (2 Corinthians 8:7).

Growing in faith…is that a good work?  Yes!

Speaking the truth in love…result of faith? Yes!

Growing in the knowledge of the word…evidence of our relationship with Jesus?  Absolutely!

Loving others…no doubt a result of the love of Jesus at work in your heart.

Giving?

Excel in it!

Do it well!

Do it often!

Do it generously!

It is a fruit of faith.  One may even say a “necessity” of faith.  Faith WANTS to give.  It is the natural response to the generosity that has been shown to you!

By responding to Paul’s need, Paul was noticing the growing and active faith of the Philippians.  They wanted to help.  They did.  Paul knows this is a win for the Gospel at work in their hearts. He knew this was one of many good works God prepared in advance for them to take advantage of.

So how do we excel in the grace of giving?

Two things.

First, keep growing in your relationship to the Lord Jesus and your love for him.

Second, look at your paycheck, your bank accounts, your investments that God has “prepared in advance” of your good work of giving.  

The opportunity is there.  Gospel ministry takes resources, just like Paul’s did. 

So enjoy following through on the good work of generosity God has prepared in advance for you to do!

 

Apply: Open your bank account, paycheck and investments.  Take time to thank God for preparing these accounts for you.  Now ask him to guide you in the good work of generosity he has prepared these accounts for.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the material blessings you have given to me.  Let me see them as the way you are preparing opportunities for my faith to show the good work of generosity.  AMEN.

Devotions based on week 12 of Joy in the Journey: Generosity (WATCH HERE)

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Philippians 4:15 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 again and again when I was in need. 

 

The Gospel is powerful.

From the time Paul was privileged to share the Gospel with the Philippians, they desired to respond by supporting the spreading of the Gospel.  Here’s the reality:

Generosity always flows from the impact of the Gospel and generosity that flows from the Gospel supports the spread of the Gospel.

Thessalonica was the next stop for Paul after he was in Philippi on his second missionary journey.  He didn’t have to write back to the PHilippians desiring a gift, the Philippians just responded by sending their support to take care of Paul’s needs.

The result? The Gospel advanced in Thessalonica and beyond.

This is true for us today as well.

But we sometimes forget.

It’s easy to view our generosity as “paying for church.”  Generosity often is encouraged when the “budget is short.”  Generosity can sometimes be motivated by a tax break or an engraved plaque of “gold level” givers.”

The Bible does not speak of giving in this way.  However, the generosity of God’s people has always served to advance the spread of the Gospel.  In  1 Corinthians 9:13 Paul writes, “Don’t you know that those who work in the temple get their food from the temple, and those who serve at the altar share in what is offered on the altar? 14 In the same way, the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel.”

Generosity is always a response to the Gospel.  The gifts that are given as a result are gifts first to the LORD.  The most common recipient of those gifts is the local church.  The leaders of the church are then asked to steward those gifts for the advancement of the Gospel.  

In the Old Testament, gifts brought to the temple were given to the Lord.  The recipient of those gifts was the priests at the temple.  They were then to steward the gifts as God had directed, some of which was used to support the priests and the upkeep of the temple.  

Generosity which results in giving to the Lord through your local church is your act of worship in response to the grace of God given in his Gospel.  The blessing to your church and church body is your generosity allows ministries and ministers of the Gospel to work to bring Jesus to more souls.  

As the Spirit grows your heart of generosity, he is using you to grow the kingdom of God through those resources.  What a blessing that God would provide you with an invitation and opportunity to use the resources he has given to you to return to him for the advancement of his kingdom through the Gospel.

Generosity advances the Gospel!

 

Apply: Prayerfully consider your heart.  Has it been generous in giving to the Lord through your local church?  Consider the blessings God has given to you through the Gospel.  In faith respond with a heart of generosity in your action of giving.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the privilege of giving.  Continue to work the power of the Gospel in my heart so I might be generous in all situations for the advancement of your kingdom through the power of the Gospel! AMEN.

 

PS: If you are moved to generosity and would like to financially support this devotional email ministry through Crosspoint, CLICK HERE to give!

Devotions based on week 12 of Joy in the Journey: Generosity (WATCH HERE)

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“Wow! That was really generous!”

In what situations have you found yourself making this comment?

Was it when you heard of a $500,000 donation to a charity or church?

Was it when you saw a driver hand a bottle of water to a homeless person?

Was it when you were treated to dinner out by a friend?

Maybe in all of these situations, but perhaps the giving of a water bottle wouldn’t be seen as overly generous.

Often we measure generosity based on the quantity of what was given.  Usually the greater the amount, the greater the generosity.

But is the quantity of what is given the measure of generosity?

The short answer is “No.”

Generosity is a reflection of the heart, not a quantity or amount.

Just like contentment was not based on the external circumstance, so generosity is not based on the amount that is given.

In this week’s section from Philippians, verse 14-20 of chapter 4, Paul reflects on the generosity of the Philippians.  At the center of his reflections is that the generosity of the Philippians was a generation of their hearts.  

After speaking about contentment in 4:10-13, and reflecting that whether the Philippians sent aid or not, he would be content.  However, he continues and says: Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles (Philippians 4:14).

The opportunity for generosity starts when we see and are moved to respond to a need.  The Philippians became aware of Paul’s need and were willing to share in his trouble.  They couldn’t go and spend time under house arrest.  They couldn’t lobby before the court of Rome, but they could respond with material gifts to take care of Paul’s physical needs during his time under arrest.

They shared a common concern and desired to share in it.

Similar to the Corinthians of which Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 8:1-4 And now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. 2 Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. 3 For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, 4 they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints.

Why would the Philippians and the Corinthians respond to the opportunity to share in the concern of Paul.

Simply because generosity reflects the power of the Gospel.  True generosity comes from a heart of faith that has been affected by the generous gift of forgiveness.  As Paul wrote to the Corinthians, For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich (2 Corinthians 8:9).

Sure people can give, but true generosity starts with the power of the Gospel affecting a heart, because at the heart of the Gospel is the generosity of God who gave us his all, his Son.

 

Apply: What challenges your generosity?  What has the truth of the Gospel done in your life?  How might that spur on your heart of generosity?

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the generosity you showed to us.  Lead us to be motivated and empowered by your generosity to be generous in all situations. AMEN.

Devotions based on week 11 of Joy in the Journey: Contentment (WATCH HERE)

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Philippians 4:11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength. 

Secret # 3: Trust is a Must!

Stuff can be our security.  If we have funds in the bank, it gives us a level of security that we will have enough to cover the rent or mortgage and put food on the table.  Contentment is easier when you have a financial cushion.  For those readers who have been down to the last few dollars in your account, it’s perhaps harder to trust, although sometimes that is all you can do.

Paul learned to be content in every situation, whether well fed or hungry, having plenty or not knowing where his next meal would come from.

What was his secret?

“I can do all things through him who gives me strength.”

While this passage is on plaques and daily verse lists and has broad application, the immediate context puts the strength to be content squarely on the shoulders of the Lord. Discontent will easily creep back into our hearts if our strength for contentment is based on external circumstances or realities.  When our heart is grounded in the Lord, we have the strength to realize that whether the bank account is empty or full, we have a powerful God who will enable us to find contentment.

But why?  What are some of the realities that strengthen our heart when we struggle with contentment?

First, trust God’s promises.  Here’s one in Hebrews 13:5, Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”  This is a promise that can be trusted.  Wealth may and will eventually leave us, but God never will.  We don’t have to sell our heart to stuff for peace, we can allow our heart to rest firmly in the promises of God.

Second, trust God’s provision.  King David penned in Psalm 23:1, “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.”  With the Lord at our side, we have the Creator of the universe at the ready to provide for us as he does for all of his creation. Sure he gives us the ability to work, a mind to think, and skills to use.  These are part of his provision plan for us to use faithfully and be a blessing to others.  When others pay us for the value we add, we simply give thanks that the Lord, Our Shepherd, has once again provided.

Third, trust God’s peace. The prophet Isaiah spoke God’s truth in Isaiah 26:3, “You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. 4 Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord, is the Rock eternal.” When we trust, our heart can rest in God’s peace.  It is not disrupted by plenty or panicked by lack.  With the Lord taking care of all our needs, but especially the most important in our salvation, our heart, no matter what the circumstances can have peace because it trusts firmly in the power of the Lord.

Paul learned that contentment came from trust, not treasure. I pray that we all can learn the secret of contentment and experience this reality play out in our lives, “And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.”

 

Apply: Reflect on the three areas of trust.  Which is most challenging for you?  What is one way you can practice trust in that area?

Prayer: Lord, continue to teach me the secret to contentment.  Lead my heart to trust you, your promises, your provision, and your peace.  AMEN.