Verse by Verse Devotional on Philippians by Pastor Jack #263

A Celebration of Generosity

4:15 "You yourselves also know, Philippians, that at the first preaching of the gospel, after I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving but you alone."

Paul praises the Philippians for their generosity to him. They were also at least one of the churches Paul had in mind (and probably the main one) when he praised the churches of Macedonia:

"Now brethren, we wish to make known to you the grace of God which has been given in the churches of Macedonia, that in a great ordeal of affliction their abundance of joy and their deep poverty overflowed in the wealth of their liberality [i.e. generosity]. For I testify that according to their ability, and beyond their ability, they gave of their own accord, begging us with much urging for the favor of participation in the support of the saints." (2Cor.8:1-4)

Generosity is a fruit of the Spirit. It is a sign that God is at work in a person, making him like Christ, who is the pattern of generosity we all must follow:

"For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich." (2Cor.8:9)

In a debt-ridden society Christians are often encouraged to live within their means. But God wants us to do more. He wants us to live BELOW our means so that we have the ability to give to others who are in need:

"He who steals must steal no longer; but rather he must labor, performing with his own hands what is good, so that he will have something to share with one who has need." (Eph.4:28)

I believe the Scriptures instruct us to give a tithe (i.e. a tenth) of our income to the local church (that is a subject for another day). This isn’t generosity, this is obedience. Generosity begins after the tithe.

Now I want you to know that I am a very stingy person by nature. There are few Biblical truths that more go against the grain of my nature than: "It is more blessed to give than to receive." But the Bible makes it clear that one of the duties of a Christian is "contributing to the needs of the saints" (Rom.12:13):

“The man who has two tunics is to share with him who has none; and he who has food is to do likewise.” (Luke 3:11)

Giving is one major way you show your "obedience to your confession of the gospel of Christ" (2Cor.9:13). In this last passage (2Cor.9), Paul urges the Corinthians to be generous as a way of proving that they really believe the gospel. We back our profession up with our life, and specifically here, with a life of generosity. Generosity is more than a duty, then. It is an expression of joy in the gospel. It is the willing response of the one whose eyes are open to the grace of Christ who through His poverty made us rich. It is our celebration that Mammon is not our god, that we are free from his clutches.

Lord Jesus, I want to be a man who is not enslaved to anything but You. Forgive me for clinging to earthly treasures. Help me to believe the gospel enough that generosity becomes an eager joy in my life. Help me to be so gripped by Your grace that I am compelled to give as You gave to me. And help me to remember that I can’t outgive you. Help me to remember that those who leave the things of this world behind receive a hundred times as much now in the present age, and in the age to come, eternal life.

"Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully." (2Cor.9:6)