LifeLink Devotions for Tuesday, August 27, 2024

Today we conclude our study on joy from the book of Phillians. Our final thought is this –  joy results in generous giving which results in greater joy. Here’s what Paul writes to the people in Philippi.

Philippians 4:14-19 “Yet 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. Not that I am looking for a gift, but I am looking for what may be credited to your account. I have received full payment and even more; I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.”

Paul stated earlier that he rejoiced greatly because of the way the people of the church in Philippi gave generously to meet his needs. He describes the gifts as a fragrant offering and an acceptable sacrifice that is pleasing to God. Paul referred to these gifts when he wrote to another church in Corinth. “Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints.” The people of Philippi gave even when everything in them told them not to. They were poor. They had trouble paying their bills. They had needs of their own, but they were content because of the strength they received from rejoicing in the Lord.  They were able to look beyond their own needs and consider others ahead of themselves because they were on Route You and not Route Me. They followed the sacrificial pattern of their Savior, and they gave, and gave, and gave some more. They were super-generous, and it touched Paul deeply and filled him with joy.

My friends, if you are not experiencing great joy in your walk with the Lord, maybe it’s because you haven’t sacrificed enough. Maybe it’s because there is too much trust in your own power to provide for yourself, and not enough trust in the provision of God. There is not much joy in knowing what we can do: there is great joy in watching what God can do. Maybe we aren’t giving Him a chance to do great things.

Years ago, our church was initiating a huge building program. We knew it would take God’s miraculous provision to accomplish it. People responded to the joy of the Lord with sacrificial gifts that covered over one-half of the total cost of the building before we even agreed to start the project. They rejoiced in being asked and they rejoiced in responding. There is no greater joy than knowing the grand and glorious work of God was accomplished through their personal sacrifice. It’s exactly what gave Jesus the strength to endure the cross – the joy that was set before Him (Hebrews 12:2).

Whatever sacrifice is necessary, keep your eyes fixed on the fullness of the joy that will be yours when you do it for God’s glory. There is eternal joy in knowing that Jesus  gives us a spirit of generosity to flourish even when we think we have very little. And that produces more and greater joy. So keep being generous and reap the harvest of enduring joy.  

Pastor John