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| The Grace of Giving (Philippians 4:14-20) | |||||
 Printer Friendly Version - opens in separate window It was a great evening and I met some friends I haven't seen for a long time. A local church had been involved in some practical work for a children's charity in Kenya. The evening was organised to show us with pictures and words what two teams of Christians had achieved over four weeks. You can learn more about the project here. We were all impressed, entertained and challenged and we learned three things about giving.Giving Affects Others Paul writes: "It was good of you to share in my troubles. 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; for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid again and again when I was in need." The gratitude of the orphaned children in Kenya was obvious and their joy inspirational. Their lives were so much better, all for the efforts of a handful of Christians who stood with them in their plight. Their joy reflected the joy of Paul in his opening lines to the Philippians: "I thank God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now..." (1:3-5) As we partner others in the gospel we help and encourage, enable and equip. Giving Affects the Giver Writes Paul: "Not that I am looking for a gift, but I am looking for what may be credited to your account." Paul wrote to the Corinthians: "Remember this: whoever sows sparingly, will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously" (2 Cor.9:6, c.f. Gal.6:7-10) Paul is not implying a direct quid pro quo here (this is not prosperity teaching), but giving does have a direct bearing on spiritual growth. Paul has already written about giving as a two-way process, "the matter of giving and receiving". He knows that when a gift is given both the giver and the receiver are blessed. Jesus spoke of, "storing up treasures in heaven" (Mt.6:19-24) and, "It is more blessed to give than to receive", and my Christian friends had clearly realised the truth of it. Giving Affects God "I am fully supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God" We often call our giving in church the offering and here Paul uses the language of the temple to describe the Philippian's gifts as, "a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God". Like incense burnt on the altar, or an animal brought as a sacrificial gift, so our practical service in giving is "a pleasing sacrifice to God". God is served by our service to others and giving is our acceptable sacrifice. Finally, Paul promises, "My God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus", and so giving comes full circle as God supplies our needs according to his wisdom. God is as concerned for our needs as we are for others and them for us. Could we imagine for a moment that we know how to give and God not know? Paul, in his letter to the Corinthians, writes of "the grace of giving" (2 Cor.8:7). Our giving is not just financial, although that is important, but includes friendship, time, hospitality, encouragement, prayer, practical help etc. Perhaps we should reflect this week on the far-reaching effect of even the smallest kindnesses and resolve to give with a cheerful heart in big ways and small. |
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