The Parish Church of
St Mary the Virgin, Olveston
 

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"A Life Worth Living" Sermon Series
Rev Philip Rowe

7. NEW GENEROSITY

Philippians 4:10

Sermon 7: New Generosity

Generosity is one person voluntarily giving resources to assist someone else.
The immediate background of this epistle is that the Philippians had been generous to Paul, sending him a gift.
It is a natural part of being a Christian. God is generous. 'For God so loved the world that he gave'. Always there 'you were concerned for me' (v10) as part of Christian fellowship, they 'shared his distress' (v14).
In this passage I see four reasons for not being generous, two legitimate, two illegitimate.

1. Generosity follows God's will
It is a 'fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God' (v18). It is part of our consecration to God. Our prime motivation is to please him.
What is God calling you to give to and how? Not to be generous if not God's will. We can not meet every need.

2. Generosity can only do the possible
It is physically impossible to assist - the Philippians had been in this position 'you were concerned for me, but had no opportunity to show it' (v14). If God wants us to be generous he will open up a channel, perhaps through us.

3.Coveted ness - defeated by contentment
'I have learnt to be content with whatever I have' (v11).
Contentment is a discipline we learn so we do not need more than we have.
We decide not to covet, 'not referring to be in need' (v11) or 'seek the gift' (v17)
Then in whatever condition 'I have learnt the secret of being well-fed and going hungry, of having plenty and of being in need'.
Contentment did not come easily. He learnt it bit by bit, test by test, circumstance by circumstance. It needed discipline. It is a constant battle.

4. Fear of the future is defeated by trusting God
'I can do all things through him who strengthens me' (v13). Paul could never be beaten by anything because nothing could arise that could be too much for Paul's God. God infuses power (dynamite) into Paul when the need arises.
'And my God will fully satisfy every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus'. (v19). There is nothing we need that is beyond the capacity of God to supply in glorious measure, the resources of heaven laid at the disposal of Christians on earth.

The key is to be in Christ Jesus. If we are 'in him' trusting in him by prayer and trusting the promises of the Bible, we are content, without fear for the future and free to be generous, to give to those God calls us to give to and enables us to do so.

 

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