Morning Moments

Philippians Devotional Outline (cont)

IV. The Strength of Christ

A. Keeps Us from Wearying
B. Keeps Us from Worrying
C. Keeps us from wondering 4:15-18

Times have certainly changed for many in ministry these days. When I began preaching almost half a century ago, no "financial packages" were discussed. I was single when I began a student pastorate for $50 a week and about six months later I married and it was raised to $75 a week. I went to school full time on the GI Bill and my wife who became pregnant with our first child after three months of marriage was a homemaker. It's true everything was much cheaper then, but God had provided a place for me to preach within four months of my conversion to Christ. Everything was happening so fast and God was moving in my life light a strong breeze. God was always faithful, but to be honest there were times that we "wondered" where the next meal was coming from. It is the strength of Christ that meets the wondering head on and keeps the wearying, worrying, and wondering to a minimum.

1. The Need was Manifest 4:15a

4:15. Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia,

Paul was a tent maker by trade and he was certainly not unwilling to do what needed to be done to provide for himself, but sometimes God meets our needs in other ways.

I can remember as a young student with a couple of kids going back to school for further education. I looked for a job and I mean looked - service stations, motel clerks night duty, etc. The gas war was going on so the service station thing was out, but I was offered a job as a night clerk at a motel on Clearwater Beach. Driving back home after accepting the job, it was as if God asked me, "Is that what I called you for?" I replied, "Lord, I have to support my family and will do anything legal and moral to do that." I heard in my heart, "Then just trust me." I pulled over to the nearest pay phone, called the motel and told them I could not take the job.

The next day a man called me from a new Christian radio station and said he had been told I had radio experience. I told him I had and he hired me on the spot without ever hearing me on the air. AND paid me a salary. Shortly after that a ministry position opened also. I worked two jobs and went to school full time. How faithful God is!

2. The Need was Met 4:15b
...no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only.
We must always remember that God not only knows how to meet our needs but goes far beyond that if we only trust Him.
Obviously, God does not always just send a check to the mailbox. But if we are willing to work, God will see that we eat and beyond. There is no place in ministry for lazy preachers.

The church in Philippi had been faithful to send Paul support time and again and it is important that we not minimize that. He had poured heart and soul into that church and they reciprocated by supporting him in his other ministry efforts.

Some churches never know the joy of personal fellowship with their missionaries. That is sad. For many denominations missions is a big operation and there is very little contact with those they support through the mission agency. I wish all this could somehow become more personal for all. It would make a major difference in the way and amount we give to mission work. But don't throw the baby out with the bath water. We must do all we can as long as we can even if it could and should be a little different.
4:16
4:16. For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity.

These precious folks in Philippi not only gave, but they gave when they could not always afford to give because the need was there. They had seen the fruit of the apostle's work there and wanted to see that fruit elsewhere also.

It is a wonderful thing these days that so many church members are able to make mission trips to other parts of the world to see how great the needs are in other places. Youth involved in reaching beyond themselves and embracing the world for Jesus find life far less boring and much more fulfilling.

These Philippians were involved in the ministry of Paul and if your "little" church will get personally involved with the ministry of someone with a world vision as Paul had, who is getting the job done, it will be a life changing experience. Send your Epaphroditus to see him and help him.

3. The Lord's Name was Magnified 4:17-18

4:17. Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account. 18. But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God.

Paul was about getting rich off churches as so many do today. He wanted fruit for them and he knew that as they were involved with him, they would also be a part of the eternal reward from God deposited to their account. That's how it works.

He says, "Look, I am content regardless, but what you have done and are doing not only pleases and helps me in ministry but it is a sweet smell in the nostrils of God. It pleases Him to see you care for me so that I can carry on this vision that we both share.

THAT, my friend is how and why God motivates churches to support those who are willing to trust God for the need with or without a denomination endorsement or guarantee of income. I know there are nightmare stories of dud missionaries, just as there are stories of dud everything else, but once again, we do not throw the baby out with the bathwater. We do what we can, while we can, when we can, as long as we can, for whom we can, to get the world reached for Jesus. End of Story!

BLESSINGS!