Conversations on Money: an Essential Element of Discipleship

Scripture:

Phil. 4:¹⁸ I have been paid in full and have more than enough; I am fully satisfied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. ¹⁹ And my God will fully satisfy every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. ²⁰ To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.

Observation:

Paul is continuing his words of thanksgiving to the Philippians. He doesn’t want the people of Philippi to think that they have to keep giving to him. He also wants to honor them and help them to see that their offering is one that may be given to him, but is lifted up before the Father as a pleasing sacrifice. He is assuring them that he is in plenty — even while he is in prison. He has already mentioned that he has learned to be content with whatever it is that he has, and now, he wants them to know that they can be content in all that God supplies. 

Even today conversations around money are uncomfortable. Flemming says that “money is a paradox. It can become either an idol or a channel of grace, depending on how we treat it” (NBBC, 326). The Philippians have been generous and this has become sweet in the eyes of God. They have filled Paul up with what he needed, and they have exceeded his expectations. 

Paul uses their own generosity as a promise. God will supply their needs through his generosity. What they have done is a reflection of the nature of Christ. Then, why would they not experience the same generosity from Christ, himself? The result of this lifestyle of giving and receiving is one that gives glory to God the Father. Paul jumps into a doxology here, praising the Lord for this glorious reflection of a life that is “in Christ.”

Application:

Paul talked about giving with the Philippians, and it was all about discipleship. We often neglect this essential “element of our discipleship,” and when we do “we rob believers of the spiritual growth and freedom that goes hand in hand with the grace of giving (see 2 Cor 8 and 9). John Wesley understood this; he has more sermons on money than on Christian perfection” (Flemming, NBBC, 326). Obviously, our attitude toward money speaks volumes about our life as a disciple. 

Let’s talk about money! This entire conversation about giving, receiving, needs supplied, and an offering before the Lord are within the context of a people who are “in Christ,” “have the same mind that was in Christ Jesus,” “of one mind.” In other words, these were God’s holy people who were living the sanctified life, and their attitude toward their resources was impacted by their life in Christ. Because they were in Christ they were also part of a community that was “in Christ.” This included Paul, so if Paul was suffering, they had to help to alleviate his suffering, because he was a part of the body.  They understood the ways in which they were knit together through their participation in Christ. 

When we are “in Christ” then our financial resources are also sanctified. That which we have is not ours, but it belongs to God and is fit for his purposes. If every person who called themselves a Christian in the world would tithe, most needs within a community could be cared for. When you find a strong tithing community, you find a people who, like Paul are joyful in their giving. 

God’s promise speaks to supplying our need. This promise is one that many of us have held onto throughout our lives. Mostly we think about it in terms of our material needs, but the promise extends beyond that to emotional and spiritual needs as well. Not everything we need in life is material, but we do need the sustaining presence of our Lord on a daily basis. Flemming goes on to suggest that this promise is to a church, and therefore, “we can depend on God’s provision for our corporate needs—wisdom, unity, maturity, generosity, a consistent and courageous witness, and more—all fully supplied out of God’s lavish grace (NBBC, 329-330). 

Our attitude of generosity speaks volumes about our discipleship journey. If money has a grip on you, then God doesn’t. I urge you, have the same mind in you that is in Christ Jesus. Live in Christ, allow him to be the source of the pattern for living and you will have a heart flowing with generosity, and God will supply your needs. 

Prayer:

Lord, my resources are your resources. May I trust you with what I have, what I give away, and what I need. Amen.