Lesson 24

The Merits Of Missions Giving

Philippians 4:14-19

What kind of preacher would I be if I withheld the truth from you? What kind of pastor would I be if I withheld blessings from you? I consider it my personal responsibility both to God and to you to teach you every truth which I know and learn from the Bible. And I want you to experience every blessing which God has for you. I want you to be blessed people!

This message is about blessings and benefits which God has for you, which you may be missing out on. It is about a truth of scripture which you may not have learned. This truth and this blessing comes to you today in the form of a missionary letter, written from a missionary to a church.

Those of you who attend the mid-week service are familiar with our missionary letters. We have a time every Wednesday when we read the letters which we received the letters which we receive from our missionaries. I am told that our ladies also correspond with our missionaries wives' and share those letters at their monthly fellowship. We have the great privilege of supporting some 16xmissionary works at $50 per month plus our camp ministry at $100 per month. Those missionaries are preaching the gospel and planting churches in the United States (5 - Appalacia; Jewish community of Chicago; Indian reservation; military base; legal ministry to independent Baptists) and seven foreign countries (Canada - 3, Mexico - 2, Costa Rica - 1,xSouth Africa - 2, one each in Australia, Nigeria and Panama). We have designated 12% of our General Offering to be used for missions.

This morning I would like to read from a Missionary letter in which a missionary expresses his gratitude to the church for their support and shares with them the benefits of giving to missions. This letter is not modern-day, it was written many years ago. You can read it along with me, because it is from the scriptures, Philippians 4:14-19 (read).

The theme of this passage is expressed in verse 15xwith the words "concerning giving and receiving". Paul had received from the Philippians a gift, delivered to him by Epaphroditus and he write to express his appreciation for this gift, but in the course of his "thank-you" he shares with them the benefits which they will receive from giving.

Now, I realize that when a preacher says anything about giving there are some people who don't particularly appreciate it. It seems to be a very sensitive subject. But I really believe that is my God-given duty preach the whole counsel of God, which includes sensitive areas like what you do with your money. And I really believe that the matter of giving is not one of those burden areas of the Christian life but rather a blessed area. It is a blessing to give to the cause of Christ, not a burden. It not done because we have to do it, but because we get to do it!

I am convinced that what is truly needed is a completely changed perspective on giving. Instead of figuring out how little I can give and still tolerate myself and not be punished by God, that is, seeing how much we can keep, we need to see how much we can give. It seems to me that most Christians are motivated either by fear or by need in their giving. They tithe because they are afraid not to, that is they will be chastened by God. Or they give because they see that the church has a need. Thus, if the church doesn't appear to have a need, say it has some money in reserve, a general fund with 7 or 8 thousand, and a significant building fund, they say to themselves, "I need it more than the church needs it, so I will tithe(some of the time) and/or will give a token offering. Do you what the right motive for giving is? Not fear! Not need! We give out of heart of love! "For God solved the world that he gave ..." So the matter "I must give because I will be in trouble if I don't"; nor is it "The church really needs for me to give"; the question is "Do I love the Lord; Do I love what God loves, the church, souls...? That is the perspective we need on our giving.

While I am on the subject, there is another attitude toward giving that I think needs to be revised. For want of a better term, I call this legalistic attitude. Some people say, "I tithe, I give 10%, that is enough, I've done my duty." Other people argue that the tithe is Old Testament, under the law, and that we don't even have to give 10% now, just whatever we want. Both of those ideas are wrong! You know why? Because the standard of the New Testament living is higher than the standard under the Old Testament. Grace demands more from us than law. In the Old Testament God said, "Thou shalt not kill". But in the New Testament, Jesus said if you hate you are committing murder in your heart. In the Old Testament, God said "Thou shalt not commit adultery". But in the New Testament, Jesus said, "If you look and lust you have already committed adultery in your heart." The point is that grace demands more of us than law! If tithe was under the law, then under grace should give more than a tithe. I believe in tithing. Tithing preceded the law, tithe was under the law, and tithing is for after the law. The Old Testament saints gave more than a tithe. They also gave free-will offerings and made annual sacrifices to the Lord. I believe in tithing but I also believe in grace giving above the tithe.

The size and scope of our ministry is largely affected by the resources that we have available. The more people we have, the more areas of ministry we can enter. The more physical resources we have, the more opportunities they give us. The more financial resources we have, the more we can do for the cause of Christ. That's why I would like to see our attitude toward giving changed!

The Philippian church was not a rich church. II Corinthians 8 described how that they gave liberally amidst a great trial of affliction and deep poverty (II Cor. 8:2). Paul said they gave beyond their power. In our text, Paul is thanking them for the gifts which they sent to him. The kind of giving which is being spoken of here is missions giving. I am not talking about money which comes out of the churches treasury and goes to missions. I am talking about individuals giving to the cause of missions. It is easier for us to be generous with the funds that are in the churches treasury than it is to be generous with the funds that are in our checking account. I believe that God wants us to support the church through tithes and offerings and beyond that to support missionaries by giving money to the church designated for missions.

PERSONAL TESTIMONY: Carla and I give a tithe to the church. In addition, we give $60 per month as an offering to the church as an offering to the church. We started a year ago in May giving an extra $100 per month offering to missions. I turned down the raise which the church gave me last November. I make $582.25 per week before taxes plus medical insurance benefits. We have a house payment, a car payment, utilities. We buy our clothes at the same stores where you shop, and our groceries at the same market where you shop (There are no preacher discount stores for clothes or food). We have all 3 of our children in Christian school. We eat out. We take trips. We splurge from time to time! And we survived this year. In fact, we thrived this year! Now, I'm telling you these things with fear and trembling, not in order to brag on myself. But I tell you that as a testimony to the faithfulness and blessing of God.

Today, I want to show you from our text 5 benefits that will be yours by giving to missions.

I. It Proves Our Concern For Missions, vs.14-16.

Paul readily acknowledges that this church was sensitive to his needs. They were aware of his "affliction" (14) and did something about it (16). In fact, verse 15 indicates that they were the only church which supported him at least early in his ministry. Paul started 85 churches over a period of 35 years. But only one church sent him support, the Philippians! Usually he supported himself and his team through tent making. But being under house arrest, chained to Roman soldier makes it impossible to practice a trade. So Paul, at times, was forced to depend upon the concern and generosity of the churches in order to survive. Paul saw their sensitivity to his personal welfare as proof of their concern for him and his ministry.

You say you love missions. You say you love missionaries. You say that you are concerned about souls being saved everywhere and churches being established. Well, don't just say it, show it! Don't just say it with words, show it with your wallet!

Giving to missions is real evidence, proof of your love and concern for what God loves. Jesus said, "Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." Show me where a person puts their money, and I'll show you where their heart is!

II. It Permits Us To Be Partners With A Missionary, v.14-15.

Notice the a word found both in verse 14 and in versex15. It is the word "communicate". The old English word communicate found in our Authorized KJV meant something different in 1611 than it does today. Today, it means to talk or to keep in touch. Then it meant to share. That is the way it is used here and in Galatians 6:6. This same Greek word is translated distribute and partake elsewhere in the New Testament. The idea behind this word is partnership.

Paul is saying that the Philippians became his partners through their support of his ministry. Isn't that a great blessing? Just to think that we can be in a partnership with missionaries through our support blesses my heart. We give to them, yes, but we also receive from them as well. Look at Romans 10:13-17. If people are going to be saved they must hear the gospel (v.17) and call upon the name of the Lord (v.13). If this is to happen then someone must go and preach to them (v.14) and someone must send the preacher (v.15). This is God's plan! We are all to be involved in missions, some going others sending! We are partners! We are laborers together with God. Some plant, some water, some reap, God gives the increase. Giving to missions permits us each to enter into that partnership with a missionary.

III. It Produces Fruit, v. 17.

Paul emphasizes that he is not concerned about getting a gift. The word for desire means eagerly long for. Paul was not covetous, not greedy for money. But he eagerly longed for spiritual fruit.

What are the fruits of the Christian life? Romansx1:13 (Proverbs 11:30) it is souls; in Romans 6:22 it is holiness; in Romans 15:28 it is missions money; in Galatians 5:22-3 it is the Christian character (love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance); in Colossians 1:10 it is good works; in Hebrews 13:15 it is praise. These are the things which Paul desires.

Paul tells the Philippians that by their participation in his ministry through giving, God credits the fruit to their account. Thus, when we give money to the church and designate it for missions, the church in turn uses that money in the support of a missionary, the missionary wins people to Christ, grounds them in the faith, establishes a church, God credits that fruit to our account. Only in eternity will we then realize the fruit of our investment in eternity. What a great benefit that is to supporting missions!

IV. It Pleases God, v.18.

During the Old Testament period, the people of God gave tithes to Lord. These tithes were used in the operation of the Temple. In addition, they also made regular sacrifices to the Lord. For example, at Passover they would offer a 1-year-old male lamb which was absolutely perfect. They were various other sacrifices which were regularly offered throughout the year (Leviticus). These offerings were burnt on an altar of sacrifice. The Old Testament frequently refers to these burnt sacrifices as a sweet smell to the nostrils of God.

Paul uses that analogy, here, to describe how God feels about their missions offering. It is an acceptable sacrifice to God; it is a fragrant aroma. God is well-pleased.

Have you ever thought about God having pleasure? We have the potential of bringing pleasure to God! How? One way is by giving to missions!

V. It Promises Supply, v. 19.

The last benefit mentioned here of giving to missions is one of the most popular and often quoted verses in the Book of Philippians, verse 19 (read). It is important to realize that God's promise to supply for us is given in the context of our giving sacrificially to missions? It is a conditional promise. That is, in order to claim this promise we must meet the conditions. Paul assures the Philippians that because they have given to his need, God will provide for their need.

A. The Source of the Supply - my God

B. The Surety of the Supply - shall supply

C. The Sufficiency of the Supply - all your need

Whatever your need may be, God is able to supply. If you need love - his is perfect love that casts out fear; if you need peace - his is peace that passes understanding; if you need joy - his is joy unspeakable and full of glory; if you need satisfaction - his is a water that you drink and never thirst again; if you need a friend - he is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother; if you need grace- his is sufficient grace; if you need strength - he is able to do exceeding, abundantly above all that we ask or think; if you need victory - we are more than conquerors through him that loved us; if you need life- his an abundant life, eternal life; if you need forgiveness - he says takes away the crimson stain and makes us white as snow; if you need something to eat -he owns the cattle on a thousand hills; if you salvation - he saves to the uttermost! No wonder David said, "My cup runneth over". He can supply all you need!

D. The Standard of His Supply - according to his riches in glory. It is not out of his riches but according to his riches. His generosity to us does not make him in any way less rich.

The point is that God refuses to be in debt to anyone. You give to God sacrificially and he returns to you more than you ever gave. Lend Christ your boat for a floating pulpit and he will return it to you full of fish (Luke 5); give Christ your upper room and he will fill it with the Holy Spirit (Acts 2); give Christ your lad size lunch of barley loaves and fish and he will feed 5000 men and return you 12 baskets full (Mt.x14). "Give and it shall be given you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together and running over shall men give unto your bosom" (Luke 6:38).

I have just listed for you 5 reasons why you should be giving above you tithe, an offering to missions.

It proves your concern.

It permits you to be in partnership.

It produces fruit.

It pleases God.

It promises supply.

Do you believe God's word? If you do then you must obey.

For God so loved the world that he gave ..." So the matter is not "I must give because I will be in trouble if I don't"; nor is it "The church really needs for me to give"; the question is "Do I love the Lord; Do I love what God loves, the church, souls...? That is the question.