Celebrities interviewed for a magazine are sometimes asked if they prefer to give or to receive, or neither or both. Paul would probably answer, ‘Both!’ He had given his life over to serving God and had given up everything for the sake of knowing Christ (3:8). Elsewhere, he wrote a list of his sufferings for the gospel (2 Corinthians 11:16–33). In particular, he has showered his love and affection upon these Christians.

For their part, they have a history of being generous towards him (v 16). Most recently, Epaphroditus has brought a gift from them to him in prison (v 18). How far do you think Paul is saying, ‘I don’t need anything! You needn’t have bothered’, or ‘Thank you, I’m really grateful’? Again, both are probably true. Paul has learned to be content (v 11). 

I grew up thinking verse 13 meant that I could do and be anything I want. The sky is the limit. (I realised that was impossible.) Paul meant that he accepted whatever came his way in life because God’s strength in him was inexhaustible. 

We may be generous and grumble like the Philippians. But essentially, God calls us to be content, living a cross-shaped life, like Jesus. We receive far more than we give.

Thank God for the person who led you to Christ. Was it just one person or were there others supporting them, perhaps financially? 

‘I rejoiced greatly in the Lord’ (v 10). By now we are not surprised that Paul says this. He’s urged us repeatedly in this letter to rejoice.¹ As emphasised in the Introduction to these notes, he wants us to know ‘solid joys’.² He feels it himself and knows how wonderful it is. He doesn’t direct us to focus on joy per se, but on the reasons we have for rejoicing: we are ‘in the Lord’. Paul does not so much pursue joy, rather he pursues Christ and resolutely focuses on him and his gospel, giving himself in the service of Christ and of Christ’s people. He does this knowing that this is the way we experience true joy. 

We see this with particular clarity as Philippians comes to its conclusion. As Paul thanks the church for their generous support, he says that what they give is ‘credited’ to their account (v 17). They are investing in gospel work and partnering closely with Paul. In a very real sense, they share the ‘credit’ for every sermon preached, every person saved, every church planted, every believer discipled. They are buying into a work which is offering great and eternal returns. Here are ‘treasures in heaven’, treasures that will last for ever.³ The Philippians are not losing out through their sacrifice; far from it (vs 18,19). Rather, they are investing in the bank of heaven. Let’s follow their example and speculate to accumulate! 

Finance and festivity are not often thought of together, yet the connection is entirely appropriate. The investment Paul is talking about yields great dividends now, with many further returns to come. Where we spend our money reveals much about our true priorities. If someone reviewed our finances, what would they conclude was most important to us? 

Review your financial giving and, if possible, commit to give more – cheerfully, as an investment for the future. Thank God for the joy which is – and will be – yours. 

¹ Phil 3:1; 4:4  ² John Newton, 1725–1807, ‘Glorious Things of Thee are Spoken’  ³ Matt 6:20