Unleash Generosity! (unlock JOY, PT 7)

I dream of a day when Restoration is like Joseph’s storehouse in Egypt – a house that is famous for its generosity to the nations (Genesis 41).  We are designed to be a light for the world and an example to the nation – with more than we need so that we can generously give to others.  THAT is the point!

 Generosity is God’s dream for us… That is our destiny!

Can we be trusted with that destiny?  If so watch out – UNLOCKED JOY is headed your way like a freight train.  But don’t settle for the idea that ‘someday my ship will come in’.  It’s a current day reality that is determined by how we are managing what we have right now.

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Read Philippians 4:10-23 (NLT)

How I praise the Lord that you are concerned about me again. I know you have always been concerned for me, but you didn’t have the chance to help me. Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. Even so, you have done well to share with me in my present difficulty.

As you know, you Philippians were the only ones who gave me financial help when I first brought you the Good News and then traveled on from Macedonia. No other church did this. Even when I was in Thessalonica you sent help more than once. I don’t say this because I want a gift from you. Rather, I want you to receive a reward for your kindness.

At the moment I have all I need—and more! I am generously supplied with the gifts you sent me with Epaphroditus. They are a sweet-smelling sacrifice that is acceptable and pleasing to God. And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.

Now all glory to God our Father forever and ever! Amen.

Give my greetings to each of God’s holy people—all who belong to Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me send you their greetings. And all the rest of God’s people send you greetings, too, especially those in Caesar’s household.

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

The first thing that strikes me is that word “content”.

Paul says I have learned to be content in whatever state I’m in.  Isn’t that what robs us of joy so often?  Discontent?  Sometimes discontent is a good thing – like being discontent with the way things are and determining to make a life change or to seek God through prayer and fasting for breakthrough.

But it’s verse 19 that we hear quoted more often.   And perhaps misapplied just as often.  What does it say?

Verse 19

“And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.”

To understand any verse of Scripture properly you have to study it within it’s context.  What is Paul talking about here?  What is the premise to the promise?

1. THE PREMISE:  I MUST BE GENEROUS TO OTHERS
   1. MY GIVING IS AN ENCOURAGEMENT TO OTHERS
   2. ​MY GIVING IS AN INVESTMENT FOR ETERNITY
   3. MY GIVING IS A SACRIFICE TO GOD
2. THE PROMISE:  GOD WILL TAKE CARE OF ME!
   1. THE SOURCE “And My God..”
   2. THE SCOPE:  “will meet all your needs”
   3. THE SUPPLY:  “According to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus

 

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