Gospel-Driven Giving, Part 2

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We return again, this morning, to the fourth chapter of Paul’s letter to the Philippians. Philippians chapter 4. And we find ourselves in the middle of what has been properly called a “Thank-You Note,” written by the Apostle Paul to the church at Philippi, in response to a financial gift that they had sent to him. Epaphroditus, their servant and messenger, has made the 40-days’ journey from Eastern Greece to Central Italy, in order to deliver the Philippians’ gift to Paul which they hoped would minister to him during his imprisonment in Rome. And he’s received that gift from Epaphroditus and has been blessed by it, so, as he prepares to send Epaphroditus back to Philippi with this letter in hand, and after addressing a number of his own pastoral concerns to this dear church in the body of the letter, he takes up this subject of communicating his gratitude to the Philippians for their gracious and generous support of him in the midst of his present affliction. And so in verses 10 to 20 of chapter 4, we have Paul’s thank-you note for the Philippians’ gift.

And we noted last time that Paul has a great concern to attend to as he writes his thank-you note. And that concern is that he would tactfully and courteously express his gratitude and appreciation to the Philippians for their gift, while at the same time not giving the impression that his heart was set on receiving their gift. He wants to honor the Philippians for their well-doing...