We conclude the letter of Paul to the believers of Philippi today. Again he reminds them to follow the example he has set for godly living. He thanks them for the support they've been sending him and he assures them that God is going to supply all their needs.
"Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me---put into practice. And the God of peace will be with you." (Philippians 4:9) I don't think he's being prideful or conceited when he tells the church to follow his example. Every minute of Paul's life is focused on Christ and on what he can do for Christ's kingdom. As we learned yesterday, Paul has discovered how to have joy, peace, and contentment in the Lord no matter how dreadful his circumstances. A person who has learned a lesson like that is a person whose example is worth following.
You will recall that earlier in this letter Paul spoke of the gift the Philippians sent to him by Epaphroditus. He makes mention of this gift again and thanks them for it. "I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it." (Philippians 4:10) For a time it appears they were unable to send him any help, but now they have a way to get supplies to him again. We spoke of this several days ago, but we'll bring it up again: in Paul's day the government didn't provide very much for prisoners. The prison officials didn't cook three square meals a day for prisoners or supply them with two or three sets of clothing or offer reading materials or other forms of entertainment. A prisoner had to depend on family members and friends to bring him extra food, clothing, bed covers, and anything else that might make his life more comfortable.
Paul is grateful for the generosity of the church, but he also states that he's learned to do without when he has to. "I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through Him who gives me strength." (Philippians 4:11-13) Paul's contentment doesn't spring from his own strength, but from Christ's strength. He couldn't have achieved this contentment on his own.
This isn't the first time the Philippians have been generous to Paul. "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 more than once when I was in need." (Philippians 4:14-16) The church at Philippi has not only been following Paul's example, but they've been setting an example for the other churches. They were the first to start sending aid to Paul during his missionary journeys.
"Not that I desire your gifts; what I desire is that more be credited to your account. I have received full payment and have more than enough. 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." (Philippians 4:17-18) Paul is more concerned with the Philippians being rewarded by God than with having them send him things he needs. It has cost them something to take up a collection for him. It's not a case of them saying, "We're so wealthy that we aren't going to miss this money and these supplies." Many of them have likely done without something they wanted or needed in order to give aid to Paul. This is why he refers to their gift as a sacrifice and why he expects God to reward them for it.
It's a human tendency to hold onto what we already have in case we need it, but this isn't how things work in God's economy. The Lord has a lot to say about generous giving in His holy word because in His economy those who give abundantly are blessed abundantly by Him. Paul assures the church members of Philippi that they need not worry about God replacing the money and supplies they've sent him. God is going to reward them for their unselfish giving. "And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:19) It's impossible to outgive God because the supplies in His storehouse can never be exhausted. Paul thanks Him for this. "To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen." (Philippians 4:20)
"Greet all God's people in Christ Jesus. The brothers and sisters who are with me send greetings. All God's people here send you greetings, especially those who belong to Caesar's household. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen." (Philippians 4:21-23) Paul is still leading souls to Christ even while he's a prisoner awaiting trial. If he had not gone to Rome as a prisoner, it's likely that "those who belong to Caesar's household" would not have been saved. These are Roman citizens, people who were brought up in a pagan culture. Yet they are now so in love with Christ that they love people of Christ whom they have never met, for Paul says the believers of Caesar's household are especially eager to send their greetings to the church members of Philippi.
I think Paul's "secret of being content in any and every situation" (verse 12) is that he did whatever he could for Christ no matter where he was and no matter what was happening to him. In every situation he asked himself, "How can I use these circumstances for Christ? How can I lead those I meet during this time to Christ?" He didn't sit in the corner and cry and say, "Why is this happening to me? It's so unfair!" Instead he looked at every hardship as an opportunity to lead souls to Christ. If we looked at every situation in our own lives in this way, I think we would experience a lot more contentment and a lot less self-pity.
So, as Paul would say, "Rejoice in the Lord always!" Rejoice in the good times. Rejoice in the bad times. For our joy isn't rooted in our circumstances. Our joy is founded on our unmovable, unbreakable, unchangeable Savior.
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