God Takes Good Care of the Giver
Philippians
4
God Takes Good Care of the Giver
Philippians
4 |
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March 13, 2016 AM
Pastor Craig Ledbetter
Bible Baptist Church, Ballincollig, Cork, Ireland
I.
Introduction (Luke 6:46)
A.
Money. What
a scary word!
B.
Because
everything and everyone today is out to take as much of our money as
possible
1.
From water
bills, to taxes, to fees, to charities
2.
Everybody
wants their pound of flesh
C.
The fact
is, things cost money
1.
Ignore the
politician who says you are entitled to so much
a.
He is just
trying to BUY your vote by promising you someone else’s money
2.
We have to
pay our bills
3.
We have to
be responsible with our money
4.
We are
supposed to work, and earn money, and save money
5.
And, we are
supposed to support our church
D.
Giving our
money, our tithe, and our Faith Promise is part of our worship
E.
God doesn’t
need our money (Psalm 24:1)
F.
But we need
to learn how to manage our resources as Christians so that we can be
more than just greedy, selfish TAKERS, but actually GIVERS.
II.
Background
(Philippians 4)
A.
Paul was
always doing the unusual things – the hard thing… going from town to
town, preaching and teaching the Gospel, starting churches everywhere
across Europe!
B.
Doing it
without any regular income
C.
Constantly
experienced hard times
D.
Worked a
job on the side making tents
1.
Act 18:2
And found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come
from Italy, with his wife Priscilla; (because that Claudius had
commanded all Jews to depart from Rome:) and came unto them.
2.
Act 18:3
And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and
wrought: for by their occupation they were tentmakers.
E.
All so that
he could do it free of charge and show Christians how to give, and NOT
just take!
1.
Act 20:33
I have coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel.
2.
Act 20:34
Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my
necessities, and to them that were with me.
3.
Act 20:35
I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to
support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he
said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
III.
Message
A.
Paul Lived
as an Example of the Christian Life (4:9)
1.
What a way
to live!
2.
Paul was
not mainly a PREACHER of the Gospel, but a LIVER of the Gospel – someone
who LIVED the Gospel
a.
Lived the way Jesus lived
b.
Loved
people the way Jesus lived
3.
Paul was a Christian in his
actions as much in his beliefs!
4.
So much so
that he could encourage others to watch him, and copy his way of life!
5.
KNOWING
that it is THE best way to live! If you want the least stress, and the
greatest joys!
6.
This is how
Paul starts to address the area of money, and giving!
7.
To start to
look at the examples God has given them, both in the Scriptures AN in
their own church
B.
The
Philippians Christians were… Inconsistent (4:10)
1.
These
Christians had been won to Christ by Paul
a.
Started
with Lydia getting saved by the side of a river in Acts 16
b.
Then with a
Jailor and a whole load of criminals getting saved
c.
Then
countless others throughout that small city near the Mediterranean coast
of Greece
2.
Taught the
Bible by Paul
3.
Helped to
turn Philippi upside down by Paul
4.
But they
sometimes forgot about Paul
C.
Paul Didn’t
Blame Them (4:10)
1.
He COULD
have blamed them
a.
Hey, When
you are hungry, and cold, and alone, and those who are family forget
about you, you could get very upset and bitter against them
2.
Instead,
Paul gave them the benefit of the doubt – believed the best about them
a.
That they
still cared
b.
And that
they just didn’t have a way to minister to him
3.
So, Paul
let God teach HIM some things through his times of need
4.
And what
did God teach Paul about money?
D.
God Taught
Paul to be Content (4:11,12)
1.
Do you know
where money starts and ends in the Christian’s life? Contentment
a.
Really
content
b.
The proper
definition is, “contained within limits; quiet; undisturbed; having a
mind at peace; satisfied. To satisfy the mind; to make quiet, so as to
stop complaining; To be pleased with what you have right now.
c.
Paul
learned how to be Happy with whatever he had
2.
Listen to
what the Bible says about contentment
a.
Luk 3:14
And the [Roman] soldiers likewise demanded of [John the Baptist],
saying, And what shall we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no
man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages.
WOW!
b.
1Ti 6:6
But godliness with contentment is great gain.
c.
1Ti 6:8
And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. DID YOU
GET THAT?
d.
Heb 13:5
Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content
with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee,
nor forsake thee.
3.
Paul
LEARNED how to live in every condition possible:
a.
Abased – at
the bottom
b.
Abounding –
with more than you could ask
c.
Full – we
all know how to live that way
d.
And Hungry
– most of us have never been truly hungry like 25% of the world’s
population is every day of their lives!
e.
And willing
to Suffer Need
1)
2Co 6:4
But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in
much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,
2)
2Co 6:5
In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in
watchings, in fastings;
3)
2Co 12:10
Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in
necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when
I am weak, then am I strong.
f.
How did
Paul LEARN that contentment?
E.
God Showed
Paul How by the Life of Jesus (4:13)
1.
Paul
Remembered how Jesus lived – and he decided to live the very same way
2.
“Through
Christ” – through His example, and His power
a.
Jesus was
Paul’s example
b.
And Jesus
was Paul’s power
1)
2Co 12:9
And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my
strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I
rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon
me.
2)
1John 4:4
Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because
greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
3.
What a
great Scripture! To believe, AND to live by!
4.
Could do
ALL things necessary, with, and without money
5.
As long as
Paul had the Saviour, as long as Paul had the presence of Jesus, he
could do anything hard!
6.
So can YOU
Christian!
F.
Paul Was
Just Glad for the Care of the Philippian Christians (4:14-18)
1.
It brought
such joy to his heart
a.
When a man
named Epaphroditus showed up at Paul’s door with gifts and money…
2.
NOT because
of the gift Epaphroditus brought
a.
CHILDREN
enjoy gifts
b.
But mature
Christians enjoy watching people learn to GIVE!
3.
But because
of the kind of Christians the Philippians were becoming
a.
Givers
b.
Lovers in
DEED as much as in word
c.
The
Philippians Christians had started right
d.
And now
they were continuing
4.
God kept
records – an Account
a.
The
Philippians were earning eternal rewards in heaven – laying up treasures
THERE instead of here (Matt 6:20,21)
b.
More about
that later!
G.
Their
Giving was a Wonderful Sacrifice (4:18)
1.
And it WAS
a sacrifice for them
a.
They didn’t
have money
b.
These were
not the wealthy
c.
These were
the workers on the farms
d.
In deep
poverty
e.
They had
their own problems and bills, and taxes and fees
f.
So every
hard-earned penny they gave, was offered in worship to God
g.
Was GIVEN
as if given to God
h.
So, it was
a sacrifice, just as real as sacrificing a fatted cow
2.
Paul
praised God for their giving
3.
Paul
personally was so blessed by their giving – knowing they GAVE
4.
It was like
the sweetest smell you can imagine when you walk into a room full of
incense, or like the smell of a great cup of coffee!
5.
And it
blessed God to watch them give
H.
That’s Why
Paul Promises That God Takes Good Care of the Giver (4:19)
1.
It is a
promise not for every believer
2.
But only
for those who learn contentment with what they have, so that they can:
a.
Start to
give away their money
b.
Start to
meet the needs of people around them like Jesus did
c.
Take care
of their church expenses
3.
God will
owe no man (Mal 3:10,11)
4.
If you
tithe, if you give, God will make it up to you
a.
Probably
NOT in money
b.
But in the
things that matter most
5.
God
especially will take good care of you
a.
Meet your
needs
b.
Not your
wants, but definitely your needs
IV.
Application
to Us
A.
WE are
supposed to be Examples of the Christian Life
1.
Not just
preaching the Gospel, but living it
2.
Does
anybody around you NOTICE the way you live and see that it is THE best
way to live? And brings the greatest joys?
3.
I don’t
know if you have noticed, but Philippians chapter 4 is How THIS Church
Operates
a.
We do the
unusual things – the hard things… preaching and teaching the Gospel,
conducting Men’s Camps, Youth Camps and Bible Clubs, starting churches,
and helping churches, everywhere, all across Europe and the world!
b.
We do it
without any regular income – we don’t sell anything. We just take
whatever comes in that green box
c.
We
constantly experience hard times. We are not a business. We constantly
run out of money. It’s the nature of Christianity to do without, and to
suffer!
d.
And we
preach free of charge – no cover charge, no entrance fee
e.
And it is
awesome – the best way to have church!
B.
Let’s NOT
Be Like the Philippians Christians … Inconsistent
1.
Starting
out excited and passionate about church services
2.
Excited
about tithing, and giving to Missions
3.
And then
cooling off, and forgetting about the necessities
4.
Look at our Expenses…
5.
Remember our Missionaries…
C.
I Won’t
Blame You
1.
I COULD,
but as your pastor, I give you the benefit of the doubt – believe the
best about you
a.
That you do
care about this church
b.
And that
you just lack opportunity, or just forget
2.
Well, it
teaches me, and all of us who DO faithfully give, to be content with
what we have and what we can do
3.
YES, I want
to DO so much more
4.
But God
knows, and I can wait
D.
Because God
is teaching us as a Church to always be Content
1.
Really
content
2.
Satisfied.
a.
When we are
Abased – at the bottom
b.
When we
Abound – with more than you could ask
c.
When we are
Full – we all know how to live that way
d.
And Hungry
– most of us have never been truly hungry like 25% of the world’s
population is every day of their lives!
e.
And even
when we Suffer Need
E.
Because We
are Following the Life of Jesus
1.
What a
great Scripture! To believe, AND to live by!
2.
I can do
all things… WE as a Church can do ALL things through Christ, which
strengtheneth us!
3.
As long as
we have the Saviour, and as long as we have the presence of Jesus, we
can continue to do all the hard things!
F.
I am Just
Glad for the Care of the Christians in THIS Church
1.
It brings
such joy to my heart watching people learn to GIVE!
2.
Earning
eternal rewards in heaven – laying up treasures THERE instead of here
(Matt 6:20,21)
3.
God notices
every act of Love you do for others – and keeps Account
4.
Account?
Yeah!
5.
Forget your
bank accounts HERE! Make sure you accounts in heaven have a value to
them
6.
How?
a.
By meeting
the needs of one another
b.
By giving
away your money
c.
By learning
contentment, so that you can give to what is truly needful!
G.
Make Your
Giving a Wonderful Sacrifice to God
1.
How much
should you give?
2.
It starts
with a tithe – one tenth of your income (Lev 27:32)
a.
If you made
€220 this week, your tithe is €22
b.
If you
earned €500, your tithe is 50
c.
It is THAT
simple. No deductions. No loopholes. Just straight up
3.
But it
doesn’t end there.
4.
Strive to
Give above and beyond duty, more than the tithe,
out of a loving, grateful heart for all that God has done for you
– doesn’t matter how much, or how little you give, as long as it is
because you love and are worshipping the Lord!
H.
And you
know what? God Takes Good Care of the Givers
1.
God will
owe no man
2.
If you
give, if you tithe, if you take care of people, and missionaries, and
churches, and the poor, God will make it up to you
3.
Probably
NOT in money
4.
But in the
things that matter most
5.
Meet your
needs. Not your wants, but definitely and always, your needs
I.
Come
tonight at 7pm and see all the numbers and needs of this church as we
hold our Annual General Meeting! |