Philippians 4:10-23 Click here for Bible Verses
Hi GAMErs!
Today’s passage is Philippians 4:10-23. Do you struggle with being content? In today’s passage Paul shares about the secret to contentment. Let’s go!
Philippians 4:10-13 (NIV)
10 I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it.
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.
On verses 10-13: What is the secret to “being content in any and every situation” (v12)? It’s a relationship with Jesus. Whether you’re living in plenty or in want, press into your relationship with Jesus. Draw close to Him and pour out your heart to Him. When you do, you’ll find, just like Paul did, that “I can do everything through him who gives me strength” (v13).
If you struggle in the area of contentment or know someone who does, also be sure to check out my message called “The Secret of Contentment” from December 27, 2021, where I share 4 practical keys to finding contentment.
By the way, I urge you to memorize verses 11-13. For more on why memorizing Scripture is important and what verses you can memorize, see the end of this message.
Philippians 4:14-20 (NIV)
14 Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles.
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.
17 Not that I am looking for a gift, but I am looking for what may be credited to your account.
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.
19 And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
20 To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
On verses 14-20: Paul’s church in Philippi gave Paul a generous financial gift as their way of showing their love, thanks and care for him. Paul responds by saying, “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.” (v18a).
What can we learn from this? Don’t have a one way relationship with your pastors and other church leaders where they do all the giving and you do all the taking. Go out of your way to thank your church leaders personally and to bless them in practical ways. That is the mature, loving, Christ-like thing to do. When you do that, a few things will happen:
1. When you give to your church leaders, you show your church leaders that you really care about them and that you don’t take them for granted. While Paul had learned to be content no matter what the circumstances, still Paul says “it was good of you to share in my troubles” (v14). He also says, “I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me” (v10). In other words, even though Paul was content with what he had, it was still good of the Philippians to go out of their way to bless Paul with a financial gift. It showed their love, appreciation and respect for him.
2. When you give to your church leaders, you develop a habit and a reputation for Christ-like generosity. In verses 15-17, Paul remembers the different times when the Philippians showed generosity to Paul:
– in the early days when the Philippians first heard about Jesus from Paul, they were the only ones who gave a financial gift to Paul (“not one church share with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only” – v15);
– even when Paul was in the far away city of Thessalonica, the Philippians still found a way to bless Paul with a gift more than once (v16).
In other words, the Christians in Philippi had developed the habit and now a reputation for being generous to their pastor. How about you? Do you have the habit and a reputation for generosity toward the church leaders God has placed in your life? Or do you receive without giving back or saying thank you?
3. When you give to your church leaders, it can be a powerful way to give God glory. Paul saw the gift that the Philippians gave him not only as a gift to him, but also as a way of worshiping God. Paul calls their gift to him “a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God.” (v18) When you try to bless your church leaders personally, you bless God personally as well.
4. When you give to your church leaders, you give God room to bless you back. In response to receiving this gift from his church, Paul says in verse 19, “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” When you give to your church leaders personally as a way of blessing them, God sees your heart and will make sure you are well taken care of too.
How generous are you to your church leaders? I encourage you to make the most of every opportunity you have to bless them. When you are generous and thoughtful toward your church leaders, they will remember your generosity and God will bless you in return.
Philippians 4:21-23 (NIV)
21 Greet all the saints in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me send greetings.
22 All the saints send you greetings, especially those who belong to Caesar’s household.
23 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.
On verses 21-23: I love the awesome news Paul shares with his church in Philippi when he says in verse 22 “All the saints send you greetings, especially those who belong to Caesar’s household”. Paul is saying that there were some saints (i.e. Christians) from Caesar’s household in Rome. They were probably guards who ended up coming to Christ while guarding Paul and his team in prison. Paul saw opportunities to share Jesus and make an impact wherever he went, even in prison! Wherever Paul went, he was sharing and reflecting Christ to others and making an impact for God’s glory. May you and I do the same.
Lord Jesus, thank You that I can do everything through You who gives me strength. Thank You also that You put leaders in my life so I can know You more. May I never take my church leaders for granted, but may I go out of my way to bless them in practical ways. Help me like Paul to learn the secret of being content in any and every situation. May I be someone You use to lead others to You wherever I go. In Jesus’ name, AMEN!
A Final Note on Philippians
I hope you have enjoyed our look at the book of Philippians. There are so many verses in Philippians worth memorizing. If you want to go deeper in your relationship with God, I encourage you to commit the following verses to memory. Try memorizing one verse a week. When you memorize God’s Word, God will use the verses you memorize to renew your thinking, to encourage your heart, and speak to you.
Philippians 1:6
Philippians 1:9-11
Philippians 2:1-11
Philippians 2:12-18
Philippians 3:7-11
Philippians 3:12-14
Philippians 4:4-7
Philippians 4:8
Philippians 4:9
Philippians 4:11-12
Philippians 4:13
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