Tag Archive | giving

2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 351

Dec17

   Day 351—We are in the LAST month of Bible reading for the year, studying the LETTERS of the Apostles.

Day 351 – Philippians 1 – 4 (Greetings & prayer, exhortations, two fellow workers, warnings, two women, encouragement)

Paul writes this letter while still in prison in Rome. It’s towards the end of his two years. He says his case will soon be tried before Caesar, and he hopes to be released.

The Philippian church first began in Lydia’s home. Philippi is where Paul and Silas were imprisoned for releasing a fortunetelling girl from demons. They were singing when an earthquake set them free. The Jailer and his household believed in Christ.

Philippians 1.

Paul and Timothy greet the church, thank God for them, and encourage them by praying for them. He tells them that his time in prison in Rome has “served to advance the Gospel so that Christ has become known throughout the whole imperial guard.” He thanks them for their prayers and offerings.

In all things – life or death – Paul’s only desire is that Christ be honored in his body. “For me to LIVE is Christ, and to DIE is gain.”  “My desire is to DEPART and be with Christ, for that is far better. But to REMAIN in the flesh is more necessary on your account…for your progress and joy in the faith.”

He tells them that persecution is to be expected.  “For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ, you should not only believe in Him but also suffer for His sake, engaged in the same conflict you see me in.”

Philippians 2.

He encourages them by setting up Jesus as their example of suffering. “Have this mind in you, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though He was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made Himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on the cross.

And he, like they, will be rewarded. “Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on Him the NAME that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is LORD, to the glory of God the Father.”

Paul then tells the church that he hopes to send them his beloved Timothy, who has been genuinely concerned for their welfare. (He hopes to come to them himself soon.)  Paul is also sending back Epaphroditus, a fellow worker and soldier.  This man had brought an offering to Paul from them but had gotten ill and nearly died. But God had mercy on him, and now he was well.

Philippians 3.

Paul exhorts the church members to always REJOICE IN THE LORD.  They are to look out for evil doers and those of the circumcision who put confidence in the flesh.

Paul then tells them that HE – if anyone – has reason to boast in the flesh, having been a Jew from the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews concerning the  law, a Pharisee, a persecutor of the church, under the law, blameless!  BUT.. “I count it as LOSS for the sake of Christ…because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as trash so 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 comes through faith in Christ. 

“One thing I do is forget what lies behind and strain forward to what lies ahead. I press on toward the goal of the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Then Paul challenges them to JOIN IN IMITATING HIM in this goal.

Philippians 4.

Paul’s last words are exhortation, encouragement, and prayer for them.  He writes to Syntyche and Euodia to not fight and come to an agreement. 

He tells them to rejoice in the LORD continually, not to be anxious about anything, but to pray about everything so God’s peace will guard their hearts and minds. 

“Finally, brothers, whatever is TRUE, whatever is HONORABLE, whatever is JUST, whatever is PURE, whatever is LOVELY, whatever is COMMENDABLE, if there is any EXCELLENCE, if there is anything worthy of PRAISE……………..think on these things, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.”

Paul thanks them again for their generous offerings; they are a fragrance, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. He’s learned the secret of being content in every circumstance. “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” 

He ends by sending greetings. “All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar’s household!”

Where Do I Do My Banking?

Dec1

Offering plateOne day Jesus and His disciples were watching the offering box at the Temple. (Mark 12:41-44) As they watched, many rich people put in large amounts. (That’s good, right? The priests and their families need support, the Temple needs upkeep. The rich people need tax deductions.) I can imagine the disciples giving a group “thumb’s up” sign.

Then a poor widow woman put in two pennies. She took her little coin purse, turned it upside down, and shook out those last two coins. Or more likely…she carried them all the way from home in her hand, tucked under her shawl, having emptied the last of her earnings jar before she came. She probably slipped them into the box making no noise at all.

But, you may think, what can two pennies buy? Some people won’t even bend over to pick up a penny from the sidewalk. Perhaps the disciples shook their heads at the uselessness and sadness of such a small offering.

But Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box.”

Huh?

He continued, “For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.” Jesus explained that the rich gave a percentage of what they had, while the widow gave all she had.

More actual cash from the rich men went into the Temple coffers, but more investment value from the widow reached Heaven’s treasury.

How strange is God’s bookkeeping. He considers things of lasting value, like heart generosity and sacrificial giving, more important than obligated giving. (Philippians 4:18*)

Yes, wise, carefully calculated donations are important, but God doesn’t really need our money.  He owns everything (Psalm 50:10-12*). He can give us all we need or ever ask for from the vast riches He has. (Philippians 4:19*) God wants our heart. He loves a contrite heart, a poor-in-spirit, humble, depending-on-Him-alone heart. This He praises and rewards. This glorifies Him. (Psalm 51:16-17*, Matthew 5:3*)

“Man sees on the outward appearance, but God looks on the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7)

 

Lord, you see my  heart. You see the discontent and greed and coveting that I hold dear, and You see the struggle I have to defeat those sins. You see my worldliness, my love of things, my stinginess. But You also see my desire to know and to love You foremost…to treasure You above everything.   

Help me release to You all I hold dear, and give You my “last penny,” my future, my life… and then joyfully depend on You, O, Creator, Sustainer, and Owner of the universe and all that is in it. (Luke 12:32-34*)

 

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*Philippians 4:18 – “I have received full payment and more. I am well supplied, having received …the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God.”

*Psalm 50:10-12 – “For every beast of the forest is mine; the cattle on a thousand hills. I know all the birds of the hills, and all that moves in the field is mine. If I were hungry, I would not tell you, for the world and its fullness are mine.”

*Philippians 4:19 – “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”

*Psalm 51:16-17 – “For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it; you will not be pleased with a burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God you will not despise.”

*Matthew 5:3 – “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

*Luke 12:32-34 – “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”