The Gifts: Resources and Christ-likeness Phil 4: 10-20

Yesterday we talked about contentment and said that all that we have comes from God, it is cared for by God and it is given to us by God so that it is available to others. Today’s section is one of the most vulnerable section in Philippians—because it is personal and it is about money. I remember one of my American professors in graduate school saying that the American society (and ours too) has turned liberal about everything, the vulgar and holy, secular and sacred, all but money. It is very rare to disclose even to family members how much one earns, saves or spends. Money is a taboo subject.

Of all leadership and spiritual matters, money is also the hardest issue for a Pastor. Defensive antennae and questions might be raised when a discussion comes up in church about needs and budgets. Many pastors have learnt to tread carefully. In this passage on the gifts that Paul received, I can sense Paul’s tension at having to tackle a hard subject with a church that he loves and cares so much about, “you have at last renewed your concern for me…” “I have learnt to be content in whatever circumstance…whether well fed or hungry” …” “not one church shared with me in the matter of giving…”

Not withstanding yesterday’s lesson on contentment, does it mean that at times there was no one to support his work, that he really struggled financially? Are there times he went hungry? Did he try to plant churches but could not for lack of resources? We know that in some places he made tents to make a living. In 1 Thessalonians he says and his colleagues worked night and day to provide for themselves so that they would not burden anyone while they preached the gospel. Thankfully, the Philippian church had provided for him, indeed he was amply supplied and grateful; the truth is that there are churches and christians that give generously.

It is much ado about a big deal. Money is a big issue in ministry. Just as the fields are ready for harvest but the workers are few, so are the resources limited and the needs so many. We need to pray that God will raise supporters for his work. We also need to pray that God will help us to develop and act on very personal and scriptural convictions on giving.

You know, part of the discomfort of today’s pastors is the controversy surrounding the prosperity gospel. So I would like to place this issue in the framework in Christ-like curriculum that we have considered in earlier devotions. Growing in Christ-likeness is about making Jesus and all his interests the focal point (center) of your life, including your wealth. When you give away your resources, you are re-orienting your compass from what you possess to the “True North”, to Christ. In other words, you love God so much that cannot withhold anything from him.

It is like what couples do when they say the wedding vows “all that I’m I give to you, all that I have I share with you…” At that point thess vows are motivated by pure love. It is exactly the same thing that should motive our giving and any other form of commitment we make to Christ. It is in this context (of total surrender to God) that our giving is a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice before God because it is given freely like the love of a new bride or groom. It is also in this perspective that “God loves a cheerful giver”, “gives back, good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over…” and “supplies all our needs according to his riches in Christ”.

Question for reflection: what is your personal, biblical conviction on giving? How do you act on it?