A STUDY OF PHILIPPIANS 4:4-23 John 3:16, For God loved the world in this way: He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. (HCSB) 2 Corinthians 9:7, For God loves a cheerful giver. (HCSB) In Philippians 4:4-23 we will see: The heart of generosity. The practice of generosity. The reward of generosity. In Philippians 4:4-23 we will also see: 1
That generosity involves time. That generosity involves talents. That generosity involves treasures. THE HEART OF GENEROSITY, part 1 THE TEXT Philippians 4:4 (HCSB) 4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Rejoice be glad, be joyful, be well off... in the Lord Philippians 4:5 (HCSB) 5 Let your graciousness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Graciousness gentleness, patience Philippians 4:6 (HCSB) 6 Don t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. 2
Philippians 4:7 (HCSB) 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses every thought, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7 (NLT) 7 Then you will experience God s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:8 (HCSB) 8 Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable if there is any moral excellence and if there is any praise dwell on these things. Dwell to count, to take inventory, think on True unconcealed, manifest, truthful Honorable honest, serious, reverent Just innocent, holy, right Pure modest, clean, proper Lovely pleasing, agreeable, friendly Commendable good report, praiseworthy, well-sounding 3
Moral excellence virtue, valor, manliness Praise commendable, to lift up, acknowledge How is your thinking? 2 Corinthians 10:5b, We take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. (NIV) Philippians 4:9 (HCSB) 9 Do what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you. THE APPLICATION Philippians 4:4 (HCSB) 4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! When I don t have everything I want... how is my attitude? When asked to give of my time, talents and/or treasures for others, seeing no benefit, what is my attitude? Philippians 4:5 (HCSB) 5 Let your graciousness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. 4
Am I generous with patience, forgiveness, or whatever others need from me? Philippians 4:6 (HCSB) 6 Don t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. But if I have to give up... time, talent, treasure... what will I do? How will I make it? Doesn t charity begin at home? Philippians 4:7 (HCSB) 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses every thought, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Am I resting in His peace or my practices? Philippians 4:8 (HCSB) 8 Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable if there is any moral excellence and if there is any praise dwell on these things. What do you think about most? Getting? Giving? Self? Others? 5
Philippians 4:9 (HCSB) 9 Do what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you. Whose example are you following? Jesus or Satan s? Having trouble with generosity? Jesus said in Matthew 6:21, Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be. (NLT) Where is your heart? What are your true treasures? 6