Philippians 4:10-23

Rachel Workman: 10 How I praise the Lord that you are concerned about me again. I know you have always been concerned for me, but you didn’t have the chance to help me. 11 Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. 12 I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. 13 For I can do everything through Christ,[d] who gives me strength. 14 Even so, you have done well to share with me in my present difficulty. I love how he states I've learned to be content with what I have. With Christmas time in full swing and me feeling the crunch of having spent too much money I really do need to learn to be more content with what I have. I also love how he says I can do all things with Christ BUT you did well to share in my suffering with me. In other words he was encouraged by Christ but also by his fellow man. I love that.

15 As you know, you Philippians were the only ones who gave me financial help when I first brought you the Good News and then traveled on from Macedonia. No other church did this. 16 Even when I was in Thessalonica you sent help more than once. 17 I don’t say this because I want a gift from you. Rather, I want you to receive a reward for your kindness.

18 At the moment I have all I need—and more! I am generously supplied with the gifts you sent me with Epaphroditus. They are a sweet-smelling sacrifice that is acceptable and pleasing to God. 19 And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.

20 Now all glory to God our Father forever and ever! Amen.

21 Give my greetings to each of God’s holy people—all who belong to Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me send you their greetings. 22 And all the rest of God’s people send you greetings, too, especially those in Caesar’s household.

23 May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.[e]

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John Burnett:  ¹⁰ But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned before, but you lacked opportunity. ¹¹ Not that I speak ^[a]from want, for I have learned to be ^[b]content in whatever circumstances I am. ¹² I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. ¹³ I can do all things ^[c]through Him who strengthens me.  One of the most quoted verses in the Bible.  One of the other most quoted is “All things are possible” but the “to those who love God,” part is left off many times.  We have to belong to him to receive the strengthening that comes during the process of sanctification.  Many think the “strengthens me” part is for physical strength but Paul is really talking about spiritual strength to make it through the spiritual battle we will all face. ¹⁴ Nevertheless, you have done well to share with me in my affliction.

¹⁵ You yourselves also know, Philippians, that at the ^[d]first preaching of the gospel, after I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving but you alone; ¹⁶ for even in Thessalonica you sent a gift more than once for my needs. ¹⁷ Not that I seek the gift itself, but I seek for the ^[e]profit which increases to your account.  There are false teachers out there that seek the gift, rather than the reward the gift could produce.  G5 Lear Jets are purchased instead of Bibles to be distributed or missionaries being supported.  God doesn’t need our gift, he wants to see our attitude in giving. ¹⁸ But I have received everything in full and have an abundance; I am ^[f]amply supplied, having received from Epaphroditus ^[g]what you have sent, ^[h]a fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God. ¹⁹ And my God will supply ^[i]all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.  God always provides exactly what we need.  No one knows us better than Him and he provides for the birds, how much more will he provide to those who He paid for with the blood of His one and only begotten Son.  ²⁰ Now to our God and Father be the glory ^[j]forever and ever. Amen.

²¹ Greet every ^[k]saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren who are with me greet you. ²² All the ^[l]saints greet you, especially those of Caesar’s household.

²³ The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

The celebration of Christ coming to earth as a man, dying on the cross, and being resurrected as a once and for all payment for sins is what this season is all about.  He came once and He promises that He is coming again.  We should be looking with the same anticipation for His second coming as a child waits to open their gifts on Christmas morning.  Merry Christmas.

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Allen Michaels:  ¹⁰ 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. ¹¹ I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. ¹² 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. ¹³ I can do all this through him who gives me strength. Paul knew how to be content whether he had plenty or whether he was in need. The secret was drawing on Christ’s power for strength. It’s not always about what we want. Learn to rely on God’s promises and Christ’s power to help you be content. If you always want more, ask God to remove that desire and teach you contentment in every circumstance. He will supply all your needs but in a way that he knows is best for you.

Paul was content because he could see life from God’s point of view. He focused on what he was supposed to do, not what he felt he should have. Paul had his priorities straight, and he was grateful for everything God had given him. Paul had detached himself from the nonessentials so that he could concentrate on the eternal.

Can we really do everything as Paul states in verse 13? The power we receive in union with Christ is sufficient to do his will and to face the challenges that arise from our commitment to doing it. He does not grant us superhuman ability to accomplish anything we can imagine without regard to his interests. As we contend for the faith we will face troubles, pressures, and trials. As they come, ask Christ to strengthen you.

¹⁴ Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. ¹⁵ 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; ¹⁶ for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid more than once when I was in need. ¹⁷ Not that I desire your gifts; what I desire is that more be credited to your account. When we give to those in need, there is not only benefit to the receiver, but we are benefited as well. ¹⁸ 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. ¹⁹ And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. We can trust that God will always meet our needs. Whatever we need on earth he will always supply, even if it is the courage to face death as Paul did. Whatever we need in heaven he will supply. We must remember, however, the difference between our wants and our needs. By trusting in Christ, our attitudes and appetites can change from wanting everything to accepting his provision and power to live for him.

²⁰ To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Final Greetings

²¹ Greet all God’s people in Christ Jesus. The brothers and sisters who are with me send greetings. ²² All God’s people here send you greetings, especially those who belong to Caesar’s household.

²³ The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen. Though a prisoner in Rome, Paul had learned the true secret of joy and peace, and that was imitating Christ and serving others. By focusing our minds on Christ we will learn unity, humility, joy, and peace. We will also be motivated to live for him. We can live confidently for him because we have “the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ” with us.