“But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of
me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked
opportunity. Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in
whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased,
and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to
be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things
through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Philippians 4:10-13).
Introduction
This part of Paul’s letter to the Philippians
deals primarily with the subject of stewardship, that is, offerings given by the
church to maintain and support those involved in preaching, teaching and
evangelism. Christians are expected to support those who are actively spreading
the gospel around the world, in our city street and from the pulpit. “For
the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn.
And, The labourer is worthy of his reward” (1 Timothy 5:18). The believers
in Philippi were stirred by the Holy Spirit to send gifts to imprisoned Paul by
the hand of Epaphroditus (Philippians 4:18). This sacrificial giving was one of
the reasons why that church flourished and prospered in the Lord. “But this
I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth
bountifully shall reap also bountifully” (2 Corinthians 9:6).
Care
The Philippians supported Paul wherever and
whenever they could. Their “care” was not confined to saying a few prayers
for him, but included caring about everything necessary for his welfare in this
life. It seems that, for whatever reason, there were times when they “lacked
opportunity” (had shortage) so could not assist him. The words “flourished
again” tell us that this “care” for the apostle revived. The word suggests
a tree sprouting new branches after a season of barrenness. Some commentators
suggest that the reason behind the brief cessation in the gifts was due to the
church being influenced by the false reports that had circulated about Paul. We
see here that he holds no grudges or malice over the past, nor does he criticise
them for failing to support him. It is possible that twelve years had passed
since sending their last gift to Paul.
Content
Paul was neither a beggar nor a prosperity
teacher, for he does not use schemes and tricks or plead for finances from the
church. He does not plead poverty even though he is very much in an impoverished
condition in prison. What would he say if he saw how certain ministries use
every unsavoury means to twist money out of people? For that matter, where is
the contentment Paul speaks of in those ministries? They are never content but
are like a bottomless pit that can never be filled. The “prosperity” cult
exhibits not a trace of holiness or godliness, for the god they love is money. “Perverse
disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that
gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. But godliness with contentment is
great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can
carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. But
they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish
and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of
money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred
from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows” (1
Timothy 6:5-10).
Paul laboured for the Lord and
received the strength needed to be content in all circumstances. He knew how to
be victorious even in the most difficult times, for even these helped him
realise that he must continue to be dependent on the Lord alone. Being content
will keep us from the snares of greed and selfishness. The word “content”
[Greek ‘autarkeia’] means ‘to be completely detached from
circumstances’. Being “content” opens the door to greater blessings from
God.
Being “content” does not imply that everything
went smoothly for Paul, for he declares that he in fact knew terrible times of
deprivation as well as prosperity. Serving the Lord taught him not to look upon
the good or bad times as an indication of his spiritual condition, but instead
he ought to focus his faith and trust upon Christ. “But I am poor and
needy; yet the Lord thinketh upon me” (Psalm 40:17). Prosperity or
privations are no measure of our faith. “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” (Hebrews 13:5).
Christ
Every faithful believer in Christ receives the
strength to perform His will. In other words, God never asks us to do something
which He does not supply strength to complete. “I can do all things through
Christ which strengtheneth me” was never meant to be a mantra to encourage
self-motivation, instead it describes the fact that it is Christ’s ability
alone that empowers us for service. “I am the vine, ye are the branches: He
that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for
without me ye can do nothing” (John 15:5). In 1 Timothy 1:12 Paul writes, “And
I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me
faithful, putting me into the ministry”. The word “enabled” comes from
the Greek ‘dunamis’ and is the same word as used for “strengtheneth” in
our text. ‘Dunamis’ is where we derive the word ‘dynamite’ from, a truly
powerful and earth-shattering substance! Therefore this statement simply reveals
that Christ gives us the strength for whatever circumstance we face, and it is a
consequence of His life in us. “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I
live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the
flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for
me” (Galatians 2:20).
To the Corinthian church Paul wrote, “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. 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” (2 Corinthians 12:9-10). This
reveals that, like Paul, we can face every dilemma and need in the strength only
Christ can give us. “Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors
through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor
angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from
the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:37-39) … “That
he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened
with might by his Spirit in the inner man” (Ephesians 3:16) … “Fear
thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will
strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right
hand of my righteousness” (Isaiah 41:10).
Conclusion
It is certain that Paul was not a ‘grabber’
who was out to prosper himself at the expense of his fellow believers. Here is a
minister of the word who did not worry about if enough finances arrived in the
mail to support his work. He sent out no begging letters to encourage anyone to
give. Though he was delighted when support did arrive, he did not allow it to
turn his head away from Christ. Paul is a good example of what someone involved
in ministry should be like. In our next study we will see how the apostle Paul
was overflowing with gratitude for the Philippians church’s renewed care for
him.
