Phil. 4:14-23, Supply

The opposite of “contentment” we have seen is “covetousness.”  The opposite of “supply” is “lack or want” as in Ps. 23:1.  So Paul tells these believers that God will be their supply and He will supply their needs in a magnificent way.

·        What did the Philippians do to be given such assurance?  In v14 they “shared in my (Paul’s) distress.”  The word “share” is the word for “fellowship.”  That’s what fellowship means: sharing something with others.  The deeper we share the deeper the fellowship.  In the case of believers we “share” the life of Christ.  “Shared” in v15 is also a fellowship word.  In v16 Paul notes that they “sent once and again for my necessities.”  They were miles apart and yet still fellowshipped with Paul.

o   What is the difference between “generosity” and “fellowship”?  Generosity means abundantly.  It’s not just the amount of the gift; it is the size of the source of the gift.  The Philippians gave out of their poverty (2 Cor. 8:1-4).  The gift might not have been large but it was generous.  Fellowship is deeper.  Fellowship says I have you in my heart (Phil. 1:7).  Fellowship in the body of Christ means we give ourselves to God first and then to others (2 Cor. 8:5). 

o   To what extent did the Philippian Church give to Paul?  The answer to that question is quite interesting.  Paul says they helped in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia (4:15).  It was truly the beginning of the gospel; not just the beginning of Paul’s ministry.  Using the accompanying map let’s remember the story (recorded in Acts 16-18).  On his second missionary journey Paul was at Troas, seeking the Lord’s leading as to where he should go.  Troas was near what is modern day Istanbul, the city that is half in Asia and half in Europe.  While there Paul was led through a dream to go to Macedonia (Europe).  His first stop was Philippi.  While there he was helped by a new believer named Lydia who gave him and Silas lodging.  This was the beginning of the gospel to Europe.  Paul’s next stop was in Thessalonica and apparently the young church at Philippi helped him financially.  Then Paul “departed from Macedonia” going to the next region, Achaia.  He preached the gospel at Athens and then was a long time at Corinth.  Paul said that while at Corinth he robbed other churches (2 Cor. 11:8).  That sounds like Philippi.

  

What do we learn from all this?  We learn that the Philippian Church was a very “missionary” church.  In Acts 1:8 the Apostles were told to be witnesses in Jerusalem, in Judea (the region of Jerusalem), in Samaria (the region next door) and to the uttermost part of the world.  The Philippian believers did this.  They helped Paul while he was in their city; then when he moved on to the rest of Macedonia; then when he left Macedonia for the region next door (Achaia); and now they were supporting him in Rome, the uttermost part of the world.  They truly were partakers (again, a fellowship word) with him of grace both in his chains and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel (Phil. 1:7).  That is not just a “missionary” church.  That is a true church!  Every local church, however large or small, is called to the preaching of the gospel in their own city and to the ends of the earth!