GRATITUDE DURING THE HARD TIMES
Philippians 4:10-23
Collector’s Dilemma: True whether we’re collecting coins, or stamps, or antiques, or whether you’re hoarding money!
We always want to add something more to our collection.
We’re never satisfied!
Rockefeller’s question: “How much does it take to be content?”
His answer: “Just a little bit more!”
As long as our focus is on what we possess, we will never be content.
We will always want “Just a little bit more!”
HOW TO DEAL WITH DEPRESSION
They’re struggling with discouragement, brought on by their suffering.
When faced with discouragement, what principles should we apply?
The normal response:
When the pressure begins to build
When we are faced with affliction-
We turn our attention inward
We begin to think about ourselves
We begin to defend ourselves.
Philippians 4 introduces a prescription from God to cure what ails us!
When faced with discouragement, Paul gives seven remedies we can apply:
Each of these prescriptions deals with a specific symptom of the illness of discouragement.
Prescription Symptom
Stand firm in the Lord 4:1 FEAR
Be of one mind 4:2-3 ANGER/DIVISION
Rejoice in the Lord 4:4 COMPLAINING
Think calmly/rationally 4:5 PANIC/SELF-CENTERED THINKING
Take concerns to God 4:6-7 WORRY
Focus on things that 4:8 NEGATIVE THINKING lead to godliness/PESSIMISM
Practice what you’ve 4:9 DISOBEDIENCE/REBELLION
learned
At the conclusion of Paul’s prescription for dealing with discouragement, he adds one more prescription to the list.
It’s found in the midst of his expression of . . .
THANKSGIVING FOR THEIR GIFT 4:10-20
PAUL’S GRATITUDE FOR THEIR CONCERN 4:10
He’s grateful for their expression of concern through their offering.
He understands their previous lack of opportunity.
Both through their example and through Paul’s response to it, we learn that . . .
When you're feeling discouraged yourself, one of the best cures is:
Take your eyes off yourself and your problems.
Fix your attention on other people.
This is NOT a substitute for focusing on God, but it IS part of the solution
Stop focusing on yourself!
Look for ways to help other people.
PAUL’S ATTITUDE OF CONTENTMENT 4:11-13
Paul takes advantage of the opportunity to teach us the appropriate attitude concerning money.
He has learned to be content in diverse circumstances 4:11-12
The problem most people face: WE’RE NEVER SATISFIED!
We always want something more-something different than what we have:
Food Money House Car
Job Church
Pastor Spouse
We just aren't content with whatever God has placed in our hands.
We always want "just a little more!"1 Tim. 6:6
"But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment."
Contentment isn’t based on how much we have!
Some people have very little, and yet they live content.
Other people seem to have everything, but still aren’t content!
The issue isn’t how much we have!
In our country, even the poor are rich by historical standards
Even our poor are rich by world standards.
Yet, few are really content with what we have!
Paul has learned how to get along: (in every circumstance-in all ways)
In humble means or In prosperity
Whether filled or Hungry
Having abundance or Suffering need
He knows how to "scrape by" -to "barely get by"-and how to live in wealth
He can be content either way-He's been there.
He has learned the secret of life either way
HAVE WE?
Paul is able to deal with any circumstance in Christ’s strength. 4:13
We can do all things (either way!) through Him who strengthens us!
TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE DIVINE RESOURCE
Realize what God has provided for us in Christ
Be content with this
Enjoy it-take advantage of it.
A two edged sword-
On the one hand, we can't conquer the adversity in our own strength/efforts
On the other, Christ can do all things
Therefore, I can do all things-but only through Christ-when He lives His life out through me.
PAUL’S GRATITUDE FOR THEIR GENEROSITY 4:14-20
Paul doesn't want to communicate an ungrateful attitude.
He congratulates them for their generosity.
They have abundantly expressed their concern for him, by providing for his needs.
He’s grateful that they are sharing with him in his affliction 4:14
He’s grateful for their continuing participation in his ministry. 4:15-16
For the support sent now.
For their past and ongoing financial help.
His desire for them 4:17
He appreciates their gift because of what it does for them,
more than because of what it does for him.
He wants them to receive the blessing that comes from giving.
His contentment with their provision 4:18a
God's contentment with their provision 4:18b
God’s promise to supply their needs. 4:19
Notice what he does NOT say:
• It doesn't say He will do this for ALL believers
It's united by "and" to the previous portion
It’s related to what they have already done.
They have taken a step of faith.
They have taken a risk and given generously
–even when they didn’t have anything to spare!
God’s supply is related to the sacrifice they made by faith
• It doesn't say He will supply all we WANT
But this isn’t a "cop-out"–it doesn’t lessen the value of God’s promise.
But this is NOT a plan to manipulate God!–to get rich quick
God's supply of our needs IS consistent with His riches in glory
It conforms to God’s kind of wealth!
It usually surprises us how generous God is,
when we are faithful in part A of the equation.
• It doesn't say He will supply it on OUR SCHEDULE
Or, according to our plan.
God knows what they have done
He will recompense them for their demonstration of love
for their sacrifice for His servant
He will supply all that they need
That’s just as true for us when WE give in obedience to His prodding us!
ELIMINATE THE FEAR OF POVERTY
God does promise to supply all we need.
God promises this when we trust Him and put everything we have in His hands
They haven't been rich and given much.
They have little, and have shared what they have
Therefore, God will take care of them according to His riches and His plan.
The ultimate result of our generosity: God's glory 4:20 GLORY
Paul concludes the letter with what looks like a prayer that God will be glorified.
It may be a statement of fact: "To our God and Father IS the glory forever!"
[Compare 4:19-according to His glorious riches, or His riches in or with glory]
What he means here is not totally clear.
One thing he doesn't mean-"glory" isn't a place!
The prayer/statement reflects what Paul expects to be the result of the application of the principles he has given them in this letter.
–That God will receive glory through our generosity
–Or, God deserves and possesses the glory
–our generosity to His people results in glory to Him.
Faced with depression, we ought to LIVE FOR GOD'S GLORY
Concluding personal notes 4:21-23
Greetings 4:21-22
Even in his concluding greeting Paul attempts to encourage them.
All the saints greet them-especially those of Caesar's household!
The imprisonment isn't a defeat.
Benediction 4:23-GRACE!!!
Is this just a prayer? Or is it a statement of fact?
The "BE" isn't there.
It could be a typical prayer of closing-"May His grace be with you"
But this too could be a statement of fact–“His grace IS with you!”.
Something to think about! Even a bit heretical!
Maybe all these closing statements are meant to focus on that.
A major message of all Paul's letters is the extent of God's grace.
Either way, I think it fits!
"May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit [and it is!]"
Or, "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ IS with your Spirit" [so there’s reason to rejoice!]
Faced with depression, COUNT ON GOD'S GRACE
2 Cor. 9:8 -"God is able to make all grace abound to you, that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed." (Dealing with both their affliction and their funds)
Count on His grace! It's all there.
LESSONS FOR US TO LEARN:
Three key words to focus on that are part of godly living:
1. GRATITUDE
2. GENEROSITY
3. CONTENTMENT
When we demonstrate these three traits, God’s grace is clearly evident in our lives, and He receives glory.
Only HE can produce these qualities in us–it’s the work of His Spirit.
How about us?
Is our life marked by these three traits?
We may not be able to manufacture them,
but it’s certainly appropriate to ask God to produce them in us!