Endangering His Own Provision

"Endangering His Own Provision" - Philippians 4:10-19 There can't be a fist writing, a letter as sweet, tender as this. It's a beautiful thank you letter. "It's an epistle of joy." A beautiful letter to the Church in Philippi. Those writings are Paul's greatest gift to them. H.A.A. Kennedy: "Perhaps no Pauline epistle shows more conclusively the stamp of authenticity. There is a naivety (innocent or credulous = of what they are told, like the child), a delicacy of feeling, a frank outpouring of the heart, which could not be simulated.

I. Paul speaks of the relationship between the church in Philippi and himself.

A. "Already at last" the Philippians had sent him practical help (thinking and acting in accordance with reality and pursuing a useful end) in the Lord's work.

1. He does not censure them for the time when he had received no help; He gives them credit that they wanted to send him gifts (present) but that they "lacked the opportunity" to do so.

2. (11) It is delightful to see the delicacy and courtesy that Paul employs.

3. He doesn't want them to think he's complaining about any lack of funds.

4. Paul is totally independent of all earthly circumstances.

5. He had "learned to be content whatever his condition”.

6. (12) Paul learned to live in scarcity and abundance.

7. In everything and by everything I had learned.

8. He knew it was in God's will.

9. He knew that wherever he was, or whatever the circumstance, he was there by divine arrangement.

10. Engaged with "fidelity" in the service of the King.

11. (13) I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

12. Everything that was God's will, for Paul, strengthens him.

13. I had learned that the Lord's commandments are the Lord's capacities (form, instruct, train, educate).

14. The Lord forms us, instructs us, trains us and educates us, if we allow ourselves to be molded.

15. (14) Paul wants the Philippians to know that they had "done well to share with him in his tribulation."

16. In his needs, in his imprisonments, what Paul had to live.

17. (15) In the past, when Paul was not with them, they had excelled in the grace of "giving."

18. Everyone forgot.

19. These accounts are recorded in God's Word.

20. It teaches us that what is given to the servants of the Lord is given to the Lord Himself.

21. Many complain instead of giving to the Lord, so that they may receive their rewards.

22. (16) Even when Paul was in Thessalonica, they sent him again and again for his needs.

23. (19) Now Paul adds perhaps the best-known and best-loved verse in this whole chapter.

24. For they had given of their material resources to God, "to the point of endangering their own provision."

25. God was going to provide for all their needs.

26. God will provide for all our needs, we will not stop doing His work, because of the greed of man, "God always provides for joyful givers."

27. Here we have, it is a "specific" promise "that the faithful and devout" (deep devotion, wholly or entirely, faith, loyalty) in their offerings to Christ will never lack the necessities.

28. It has often been observed that God provides for the needs of His people.

29. Not of His riches, but according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

30. Paul said to someone, "My God will supply everything" according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

31. God will give to all according to what one is.

32. Paul was the one who received and had nothing to give back to them.

33. To whom he serves, He will give according to (equal) His riches in glory: if it were Paul who rewarded him according to (equal) what he had prison, chains, etc.

34. The provision with which God will provide for all the needs of the Philippians will be as befits "so great a Lord."

35. Not only is God the Supreme Lord and Owner of the entire Universe, but His riches are inexhaustible (cannot be exhausted) (not spent, consumed, or finished) because it is He Himself who gives Himself in all the infinity (infinite) of His person and His love.

36. They are glorious riches.

37. The Bank of Faith.

a. My God- the name of the banker.

b. It will provide- the promise of payment.

c. To all our needs – the value of the check.

d. According to His wealth – the capital of the bank.

e. In glory – the bank's address.

f. In Christ Jesus – the signature at the bottom (alongside, beside), without which the check is worthless. Amen.