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Homework from last week:
Read 2 Corinthians 8:1–5. What does this passage tell us about the Philippian Christians’ circumstances? After knowing this background, what do you think was Paul’s pastoral purpose for sharing his own insight into the secret of being content in Christ?
Background:
Paul’s letter to the Philippians draws to a close with another reminder of the sweet gospel partnership that the elderly apostle and the church in Philippi shared. Paul had been instrumental in leading some of the first Philippian believers to Christ and establishing their church, and in turn the church had supported his ministry financially—even from a distance. In this lesson, we will see Paul celebrate the generosity of the Philippian church and rejoice in the spiritual blessings these believers receive when they share in his gospel ministry for the sake of Jesus Christ.
READ: Philippians 4:14-23
14 Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. 15 Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; 16 for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid more than once when I was in need. 17 Not that I desire your gifts; what I desire is that more be credited to your account. 18 I have received full payment and have more than enough. I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. 19 And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.
20 To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
21 Greet all God’s people in Christ Jesus. The brothers and sisters who are with me send greetings.
22 All God’s people here send you greetings, especially those who belong to Caesar’s household.
23 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.
- As this passage begins, in 4:14–16, what might lead us to think that Paul is about to ask for more support from the Philippians—or at least to indicate his dependency on them?
- Are you surprised by the shift in Paul’s tone and focus that is introduced in 4:17–19? What does he focus on as he discusses the financial support the Philippian believers have given him? Does he mention anything about his ongoing financial need?
- Think about how you have heard Christian leaders, churches, and ministries talk about money and finances. Some may hesitate to say anything about money; others may constantly talk about their financial status or need. What leader or ministry has handled this issue well, in your opinion? What principles are important for the area of communicating about finances for ministry?
- Although he appreciates their financial contributions to his ministry, Paul ultimately seeks something for the Philippians rather than from them (4:17). What is it?
- What do you think the Philippian believers would find encouraging about Paul’s closing words (4:21–23)? How do these words serve to call them, again, to forsake anxiety and instead to find joy and comfort in the Lord and in the advancement of the gospel?
- The “health and wealth” gospel—or “prosperity” gospel—is a false teaching that links obedience, faithfulness, and generosity with physical health or financial prosperity (or both!). What makes this false teaching dangerous? Based on your study of this epistle, and of this passage in particular, how could you demonstrate that this is not a teaching promoted by Paul?
- What spiritual blessings do people risk missing out on when they hold back from being financially generous? Why is it so important to remember that Paul does not promise physical health or worldly wealth to the Philippians because of their financial support?
What can you take with you today?
What is the one thing you will remember from the letter to the Philippians?
Thank you for reading through the letter to the Philippians with us!
Bibliography:
Nielson, J. and Johnson, D.E. (2022) Philippians: To Live Is Christ, A 13-Lesson Study. Edited by D.M. Doriani et al. Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R Publishing (Reformed Expository Bible Studies).
English above. Afrikaans hieronder
Verlede week se huiswerk: Lees 2 Korintiërs 8:1-5. Wat sê hierdie gedeelte vir ons oor die gelowiges in Filippi se omstandighede? Met dit in gedagte, hoekom dink jy deel Paulus sy eie insig in die geheim van hoe om tevrede in Christus te wees?
AGTERGROND:
Aan die einde van hierdie brief aan die Filippense herinner Paulus die gelowiges aan die goeie vennootskap wat daar tussen die gemeente en die apostel bestaan. Paulus het van die eerste gelowiges in Filippi na Christus gelei en so die gemeente gestig, en hulle het sy bediening finansieël ondersteun – selfs oor ‘n afstand. Hier sien ons hoe Paulus die vrygewigheid van die Filippense vier en homself verbly in die geestelike seëninge wat hulle ondervind wanneer hulle deel in sy verkondiging van die evangelie.
LEES: Filippense 4:14–23
14 Nogtans was dit goed van julle om in my swaarkry te deel. 15 Julle weet ook, Filippense, dat aan die begin van my evangelieverkondiging, toe ek van Macedonië vertrek het, geen gemeente tot my rekening van inkomste en uitgawes bygedra het nie, behalwe slegs julle. 16 Ook in Thessalonika het julle meer as een maal iets vir my behoeftes gestuur. 17 Dit is nie dat ek van julle ‘n bydrae verlang nie; ek verlang eerder dat die opbrengs op julle belegging toenemend sal groei. 18 Ek is ten volle vergoed, en het meer as genoeg; ek is ten volle versorg, noudat ek van Epafroditus ontvang het wat van julle af kom: ‘n geurige offer, ‘n aanneemlike offergawe wat God behaag. 19 En my God sal ruimskoots in al julle behoeftes voorsien, in ooreenstemming met sy heerlike rykdom in Christus Jesus. 20 Aan ons God en Vader kom die heerlikheid toe vir ewig en ewig! Amen.
21 Groet elke heilige in Christus Jesus. Die broers wat hier by my is, stuur vir julle groete. 22 Al die heiliges, veral dié van die keiser se huishouding, stuur vir julle groete.
23 Die genade van die Here Jesus Christus bly met julle gees!
NADENKE
- Laat 4:14-16 jou dalk dink dat Paulus gereedmaak om meer ondersteuning van die Filippense te vra – of om ten minste aan te dui hoeveel hy ondersteun op hulle bydraes?
- Verbaas Paulus se toon en fokus in 4:17-19 jou? Waarop fokus hy wanneer hy praat oor die finansiële ondersteuning wat hy van hulle ontvang? Noem hy iets van sy finansiële nood?
- Dink na oor hoe jy christelike leiers, kerke en bedieninge hoor praat het oor finansies. Sommige praat skaars daaroor, ander praat amper net daaroor. Watter leier of bediening het dit, in jou opinie, goed hanteer? Watter beginsels is belangrik wanneer oor die finansies van ‘n bediening of gemeente gepraat word?
- Alhoewel Paulus die Filippense se bydraes vir sy bediening waardeer soek hy iets ander vir hulle eerder as van hulle (4:17. Wat is dit?
- Wat in Paulus se slotwoorde (4:21-23) sal bemoedigend wees vir die Filippense? Hoe help hierdie woorde hulle om nie angstig te wees nie en om eerder vreugde en troos te vind in die Here en in die uitbreiding van die Evangelie?
- Die “gesondheid en rykdom” evangelie – of voorspoedsteologie – is ‘n valse lering wat gehoorsaamheid, getrouheid en vrygewigheid koppel aan fisiese gesondheid en finansiële welvaart. Wat maak hierdie lering gevaarlik? Vanuit wat jy in hierdie brief geleer het en in hierdie gedeelte gesien het, hoe vergelyk hierdie lering met wat Paulus verkondig?
- Waarop mis mense uit as hulle nie finansieel vrygewig is nie? Hoekom is dit belangrik om te onthou dat Paulus nie fisiese gesondheid of wêreldse rykdom aan die Filippense belowe as beloning vir hulle finansiële bystand nie.
Wat kan jy vandag met jou saamneem?
Wat is die een ding wat jy uit die brief aan die Filippense met jou kan saamneem?
Sankie dat jy saam deur die brief aan die Filippense gewandel het!
Bibliografie:
Nielson, J. and Johnson, D.E. (2022) Philippians: To Live Is Christ, A 13-Lesson Study. Edited by D.M. Doriani et al. Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R Publishing (Reformed Expository Bible Studies).