Joyful Giving

Date : 13 January 2019 

Speaker : Rev. Renny Khoo 

Topic : Joyful Giving 

Text : Philippians 4:10-20 

Introduction: 

In tandem with our church’s tradition, we come together to pledge our offering towards the community, this year we are also pledging towards the Kyrugma House Repair and Renovation Project. In Phil. 4:10-20, the Philippian church saw the need to give and gave generously and joyfully towards Paul. These scripture teaches us how giving can be done in a joyful manner! 

Ways giving makes you a joyful person 

1) Giving revives our concern (v10) V.10 Renew or “revive” means making something that was dead (not totally dead, but still have life in it) to come back to life. Picture of tree/plant barren in winter, but not dead, but blossom with new shoots and flowers when spring comes. Philippian church was barren but with the giving to Paul it revives their concern for Paul. Giving takes the attention off oneself and place it onto someone else. When we see the need of others and give towards that, it brings joy. 

Illustration of Rev. Renny and friend buying the “soto ayam” from a stall where no one patronize, shifted their focus to look at people with the need to survive, and this incident revived their concern for people in need. 

2) Giving teaches us contentment (v11) Phil. 4:11; Heb. 13:5 Paul’s joy rested in being contented with all he has, his sufficiency rested in Christ. Contentment is not trimming down our desire but living with a sense of God’s adequacy. A conviction that God is adequate with any need we face, therefore we can give joyfully knowing God will supply all our needs. 

3) Giving makes us partners in ministry (v14) Phil. 4:14 “Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles.” “Share” is often translated as “fellowship”, this word denotes partnership. Each time we give to the Lord, we are partnering in God’s kingdom, e.g. KKE’s partnership with Grace Centre to give education to children. Not all of us can be in the field to do the work, but by giving, we participate in partnering with God’s people in the different ministries. 

4) Giving pays spiritual dividends (v17-18) Phil. 4:17-18 “Not that I desire your gifts; what I desire is that more be credited to your account. I have received full payment and have more than enough….” “Credited to your account” implies that when we give to the Lord, we are investing into the kingdom matter, kingdom work pays spiritual dividends. When we give with the right attitude, it becomes a fragrant offering to the Lord. 

5) Giving grows our faith in God (v19) “My God” – God meets our needs personally “every needs” – God meets our need liberally “according to his riches… Jesus” – God meets our needs gloriously. By giving, it helps us to grow our faith in God, trusting that He’ll meets our needs lavishly, he will not give us just enough. Conclusion: Illustration given of a primitive tribe in South American jungle, the anthropologist learnt that the most important people of the tribe is the person entrusted to keep the flame alive, this task is vital. As we give to the Lord’s work, we becomes the keeper of the flame, we participate, we help, we play the little role in spreading the gospel message to the community, we play a little role in meeting people’s needs, helping people to grow spiritually. We enable our church to shine as God’s light to the world. Therefore, we can have joyful giving. 

Questions 

1) “For it is in giving that we receive.” Francis of Assisi. Share your responses on the above quote. 

2) Share your thoughts on any one of the five ways of joyful giving.