True Generosity
Philippians 4:14-23
ÒYet it
was kind of you to share my trouble. And you Philippians yourselves know that in the
beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership
with me in giving and receiving, except you only. Even in
Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again. Not that I seek
the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit. I have received
full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus
the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to
God. And my
God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ
Jesus. To our
God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen. Greet every
saint in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me greet you. All the saints
greet you, especially those of CaesarÕs household. The grace of
the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.Ó (Philippians 4:14-23, ESV)
This is the second message in our Stewardship series and I hope you have begun to read the daily devotions. For some of you this may be Òold hatÓ but it is always good to be refreshed in basic Stewardship principles. For others of you this may be some new material and I hope it is enlightening for you.
Last week the topic was on who truly has ownership – namely God. This is an important concept to remember. Nothing we have, not even our very lives, is something we own – it is a gift from God. We are called by God to be good stewards of what He has given us. God trusts us and gives us the ability to use all that we have and all that we are to further His kingdom.
When we talk about activities in the church sometimes we divide things as being ÒpracticalÓ and ÒspiritualÓ. Practical is the hands on things, the day to day activities that need to happen to make a church run. Spiritual is the more intangible things like worship, prayer, understanding of GodÕs Word, etc. What often happens is we either pit these two things against each other or we hold out that ÒspiritualÓ things are more important or more Òholy.Ó But this is not true. James says, ÒFaith without works is dead.Ó Both practical and spiritual need to go hand in hand.
And that brings us to our text today. Paul is thanking the Philippian church for the generosity not only in sharing their faith, but sharing in their resources or practical things. We often focus on Paul the missionary but we forget about Paul the humanitarian. While Paul was on his missionary journeys a famine struck Jerusalem hard. People were in need and Paul, knowing that faith has a practical side, collected resources for the aid of those in Jerusalem. I believe that is the first thing Paul is thanking the Philippians for. But he also goes on to thank them for the help they have provided for him as an individual. The Philippians had learned that true generosity flows from their true faith in Jesus. Practical and spiritual go hand in hand.
Luther talked about this idea with two concepts, vocation and the masks of God. In LutherÕs day and age it was widely believe that the better vocation in life would be a priest, nun or monk in the church. Other jobs were considered lesser tasks and therefore less ÒspiritualÓ in nature. But Luther turned that idea on its head and said that every vocation, every calling and job in life, is truly a gift from God. And not only a gift it was the way God provided and took care of the world. A farmer has just as important job as the priest, one to feed peopleÕs body, the other to feed peopleÕs souls. Both were equally important. And Luther said, all tasks that serve the good of mankind were really a Òmask of GodÓ and His providing for the world. So instead of dividing practical and spiritual matter they really go hand in hand.
When we see that all that we have in the way of resources and abilities, and all that we do in life can be used by God then true generosity can flow from this knowledge. But how would we define true generosity? I think it involves three things. First is to identify a need. This may seem obvious but it is important that we see a need that we resonate too. There are many needs in the world and we canÕt fulfill all of them ourselves. What needs in the world do you see and think about often?
But we canÕt stop at just identifying a need. That would be sympathy only. We need to show interest. Show interest is more than just the need or problem it is showing interest in the person. How is this person impacted by the need and how can I best help them with my resources and God-given abilities? We need to show and interest that will get us involved and motivate us to help.
But we canÕt stop at just identifying a need and showing interest – that would be empathy without action – we need to get involved. We need to put our resources, and our talent, abilities and time to use to fulfill the needs that are in the world. And in so doing we become the mask of God – God using us to help people. And not only get involved, but get involved for the long-haul. Sometimes we help only with the immediate need but forget that there may be long term needs as well. A good example from today is the rebuilding effort in New Orleans. Many of us may have sent money last year to help. A few will be going in November to help in the rebuilding effort. But this will be a long-term project. One of the Lutheran Disaster Relief camps has already committed to a 10 year contact with the church that is hosting them. That is long term. PaulÕs relief effort for Jerusalem wasnÕt just a one or two year project. By all accounts it lasted 15 years. Getting involved means helping for the long haul which flows out of true generosity.
Ultimately our generosity, our stewardship, gives glory to God. Paul thanked the Philippians for their generosity but then also said it was for the glory of God and the furthering of His mission of salvation in Jesus Christ. All that we have and all that we are is a gift from God to be used for His glory. Find a need, show interest, and get involved. This equation works out well when you want to find your niche in ministry – Your Passion + World Need = You Ministry. What makes you You? What is a need you are passionate about in the world? What can you apply your skills to in a God-pleasing way? That is where God wants you. Be a good steward and give generously to the world for Christ.
Amen.