Joy in Giving

Series: On The Way to Joy: A Study in Philippians

In a Calvin and Hobbes comic strip, Calvin steps up to his mother's bed and says, "Hey, Mom! Wake up. I made you a Mother's Day card." His mother starts to read it aloud:

"I was going to buy a card with hearts of pink and red.

But then I thought I'd rather spend the money instead.

It's awfully hard to buy things when one's allowance is so small.

So I guess you're plenty lucky I got you anything at all.

Happy Mother's Day. There, I've said it. Now I'm done.

So how about getting out of bed and fixing breakfast for your son."

Why is money so closely tied to our hearts?

Today we're not talking about money ... we're talking about something that's happening in our hearts.

1. Actions Show Values

v.10 - I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity.

We often give based on Emotion

"My heart goes out to the people hit by the cyclone"

We often think our words mean more than our actions

These past weeks - I say I love my family, but haven't taken a day off.

"Actions speak louder than words, so shut up and take out the garbage!"

Matthew 6:21 - For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

John Piper on the Economic Stimulus Payment:

Clue: Nobody in the world will see you spend your money on yourself and conclude that Christ is your treasure. They will assume you are just like them, no matter how loudly you thank God for this boon. That doesn't mean you shouldn't spend it on yourself (the way we do with most of what we earn). Not everything we do can look different from the world-eat, pay utilities, fill up the car, wear clothes (even thrift-store clothes). And yes, we hope (somehow) that spending on ourselves in some way contributes to our being more Christ-exalting people.

PRINCIPLE #1 - Where you invest both reveals and leads your heart.

2. Grace Leads to Giving and Receiving

v.14-15 - 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;

ESV on v.15 - Philippians 4:15 - And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only.

GOSPEL POINT -- God initiates, we respond

Not Jesus + Giving = Salvation

CF Philippians 3 - no circumcision, no kosher food laws

Philippians 3:8-9 - What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ-the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith.

Every action has an equal and opposite reaction

The beginning of the gospel in their lives

Lead to a change in attitude and ACTION

This Wasn't Easy for the Philippians

2 Corinthians 8:1-5 - And now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. 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. And they did not do as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with God's will.

PERCENTAGE PRIORITY GIVING

PROGRESSIVE, Percentage Priority Giving

When people talk about making this decision, they never talk about the money.

They talk about a changed heart, renewed marriage, strength to get through that they never knew they had.
They talk about JOY!

Figure this out - look at the money you'd be giving and feel what you need to feel.

Fear?
- That's a spiritual issue
Jealousy?
- That's a spiritual issue
Greed?
Frustration?
Our use of money helps us isolate the big spiritual issues in our lives.

PRINCIPLE #2 Your investment must move from the academic to the practical.

3. Giving Today Has Lasting Consequences

v.17- FRUIT

Philippians 4:17 - Not that I am looking for a gift, but I am looking for what may be credited to your account.

Giving is WORSHIP

Philippians 4:18 - 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.

God Supplies Needs

Philippians 4:19 - And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.

NOT Televangelist stuff