LA UBF

Php_4_10-23_I_Have_Learned_To_Be_Content_G.docx

Php_4_10-23_I_Have_Learned_To_Be_Content_G

Philippians4-10-23_Note_25.docx

I Have Learned To Be Content

Key Verses 13: “I can do all things through him who strengthens me”.

V. 10

¹⁰ I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity.

Introduction: Today’s passage is Paul’s last words to the Philippians. He recognized their support again and again. He shared that he could be content in any situation. But Paul said the real value of their offering and support. What does the offering really mean before God’s eyes? What is the meaning of any kind of offering for others and God?

Why did Paul rejoice greatly? (10) How did Philippians express their concerns for Paul? How can we show concern for one another?

Why did Paul rejoice greatly? (10)

¹⁰ I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity.”

Because finally, they revived their concern for Paul. They were concerned, but they did not have the opportunity to show it. Now they did it.

How did the Philippians express their concerns for Paul?

By sending their gift to Paul through Epaphroditus. They were able to show their concern in a very visible and practical way.

How can we show concern for one another?

One way is to send a gift. Another is to visit a person. We can show our concern visibly and practically. The best approach is to identify the needs of others and fulfill them practically.

Additional note from Q.1 (v.10)

¹⁰ I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity.”

Paul was very pleased to see their support. The church supported Paul from the beginning, either sending money or a gift. Somehow, they stopped doing it for a while. Maybe their finance were tight or the church had inner problems. So when Paul saw that they sent the gift again, he was very pleased to see their gift.

Paul explained why he was so rejoiced at the resumption of their support. It was not because Paul was in need. But because of the many spiritual benefits they could receive from God through their gift. Paul wanted them to know the blessings that come from supporting him.

“I rejoiced in the Lord GREATLY”. “You have revived your concern for me.” They gave their heart to God first. And they were mindful of Paul’s situation and his well-being. Through their gift, Paul could see their sincere heart. He was so moved and thankful for them.

“You were indeed concerned for me.” He knew their concern. Paul could see their real concern for him when he received their gift from them. How can we express our concern for someone?

“But you had no opportunity.” They had always been concerned for him. But because of some unknown reasons, they could not do it.

Paul had a great joy in their concern for him. Why is it so important to show our concerns for each other, and why is it so important to show concern for each other?

One person gave another person an expensive medicine. The receiver was really moved.

We pray for Sh. Athiana, who has a cancer. We sent some offerings through M. Philip. Nathan was his bible student. M. Philip visited the St. Paulo chapter and delivered our money to Sh. Athiana. M. Philip was so moved. M. Philip sent an appreciation email, a very lengthy email. Nathan also shared his appreciation.

This kind of expression of our concerns encourages people and builds up our relationship. Our coworkers in Africa appreciate our support for them. LA UBF is supporting chapter for all African UBF chapters. Because of this, they want one member from LA UBF to visit them in December every year, where they have an African leaders meeting.

The previous African continental coordinator, sh. Joshua Surh and his wife remembered P. John and M. Maria Kwon’s visit. And they are always very thankful.

As we express our support, we experience great joy. Jesus said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Joy comes from giving rather than receiving.

Paul was really encouraged when he received the gift although he was alone in Rome. He thought, “They remember me and are concerned for me.” Paul was so pleased because he saw the spiritual maturity of the Philippian church. When our children give us gifts, we parents are pleased not because of their gifts but their concern for us.

Usually, we don’t have enough concern for others when we focus on ourselves. Then we become self-centered. What we have is grace, and we need to open our hearts for others.

“You have revived your concern for me.” Even in small things such as one text, we can revive our concern for others.

V. 11-13

¹¹ Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned, in whatever situation I am, to be content. ¹² I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. ¹³ I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

What did Paul learn? (11,12) How can we be content in whatever situation and what is the secret(13)? Why do you think it is important to learn how to be content in whatever situation?

What did Paul learn? (11,12)

He has learned to be content in whatever situation he is in. He knows how to be brought low and how to abound. He has learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.

He called it a secret. Probably, he learned it in the course of serving Christ and depending on him for his needs.

How can we be content in whatever situation, and what is the secret (13)?

“I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” (v.13)

We can be content in whatever situation through Jesus Christ.

Paul’s secret is Christ. Since he wants to know Christ, everything comes from Christ. As he prays to know Christ in whatever situation, Christ must have strengthened him, and that is his secret. Paul wanted to know Christ. So every secret of Paul comes from Christ. Christ strengthens him in times of financial hardship. He helped him find a way to manage his finances. When we know the love of Christ for us nothing can matter. ³⁷ No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. (Rom 8:37)

Christ strengthens Paul when he is in abundance. So Paul did not waste his financial resources or become proud. When he was in need Christ strengthened him so that he could manage his fiance by his grace and meet all his needs.

Broadly, the faith in the goodness of God and his love is the secret. To believe in the goodness of God in any and every situation can be the secret. To believe God will provide our needs.

Why do you think it is important to learn how to be content in whatever situation?

If we learn to be content in whatever situation, we are free from worries about our finances. We can focus on serving Christ instead of our financial security.

Additional note from Q.2 (V. 11-13)

Paul said he was not in need. It was not the reason why he was happy. Even if the Philippians did not send the gift, he would be happy.

“I have learned, in whatever situation I am, to be content”. Being content, in Greek words, in Greek culture and philosophy, means “You are stable. You are still existing, not shaken. You overcome. You transcend. You are not affected by outward conditions. You are stable and consistent (regardless of situation).” Paul was saying, “I mastered. I am not having ups and downs. I am satisfied with the current situation. I am stable. He was not affected by situations.

¹² I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.

This shows Paul’s life situation. His situation has many ups and downs. We Christians want to be in good condition all the time. But even the apostle Paul, the most powerful, most honored servant of God, faced many ups and downs. Indeed, it is true he went through many ups and downs. His tent-making income was low. His job was not available all the time. His financial situation had many ups and downs.

We think Paul was serving the Lord so powerfully. Therefore, God would provide him abundantly. It is not true! Sometimes he was brought low (by God!) Whatever God provided, he was content.

In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.

Not only in a needy situation, but some people fail when they have abundance. When they become rich, they become complacent and lose direction. We need to learn to be content in both situations.

So it is important to know that what we hope for and pray for us should not be improving of our financial situations. We may think, “When my financial condition becomes better, I will serve God better”. But we need to learn how to be content in any situation. Then we can serve God regardless of our financial situation.

So our prayer topic should not be financially abundant situations, but being content in whatever situation. True men of God enjoy surfing over the waves of ups and downs of finances.

¹³ I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

What kind of strength does Jesus give in both rich and poor situations? How did he help us or strengthen us?

One person says, “College students' concern is not poverty but depression (comparative poverty). Many have depression medicine. They are slow in thinking because of medication. Being content not only in finances but also in a relationship with God is important. Some have dreams of Disney marriage - live happily ever after. If God loves me, I will not have a hard time.” But that is not true.

Being content is to have absolute faith in God, even when you become a martyr. Spiritual poverty is a real matter.

We can be content in Jesus, knowing Jesus. In abundance, we have many resources such as finance. We come to Jesus and seek what Jesus wants to give us. It is not something in the world but the kingdom of God, eternal life, and true glory.

When we focus on what Jesus wants to give us, we do not fail.

In poverty, we think about how much Jesus made us rich in him, such as forgiveness, etc. We have a promise in Jesus Christ. God is always with us and provides us with what we need.

When we are in Christ and believe in God’s provision, we are strengthened. God wants us to find everything in Christ Jesus. Whatever our visible situation, we can be strong with what we have in Jesus Christ.

Some may say, “I cannot serve God because I am too poor.” But, others, because of their great wealth, fail to follow Christ.

So in every situation we need to focus on Jesus and live the life of faith.

Paul’s hope is in the kingdom of God and resurrection. If we find treasure in Christ, we can pursue the right things for Christ.

When we feel we are poor, Jesus may ask, “Why are you poor? You have all the kingdoms of God and all my blessings.” Paul was left alone by many people who left him. He was only. That was another kind of poverty. But Jesus says, “I am with you.”

But Jesus is our true wealth and treasure.

When Jesus is not our true wealth and treasure, we have other problems. One old grandma lives in fear and anxiety because she was an unbeliever. Even during the day, she closed all her windows with curtains out of fear. Her heart is in trouble all the time because she only thinks about herself and what could make her happy, even at the sacrifice of others.

However, regardless of our situation, we can serve others when we have faith in Jesus. How much can we be content? Then check our faith. Then we can see the level of our content.

V.14-20

¹⁴ Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble. ¹⁵ And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. ¹⁶ Even in Thessalonica, you sent me help for my needs once and again. ¹⁷ Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit. ¹⁸ I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. ¹⁹ And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. ²⁰ To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.

How did Philippians support Paul? (14-16) What does Paul seek through the Philippians’ giving? (17) How does Paul describe the Philippians’ gifts to him, and what can we learn from this? (18) What does God do for those who give, and how does Paul praise this God? (19,20)

How did Philippians support Paul? (14-16)

They shared Paul’s trouble by sending gifts to Paul at least 3 times: 2 times in Thessalonica, 1 in Philippi. No churches sent the gifts to Paul except the Philippian church. It is no wonder Paul had a deep affection of Christ for them.

What does Paul seek through the Philippians’ giving? (17)

¹⁷ Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit.

Paul was seeking their fruit through their gift. It is an increasing credit for them. Their credit before God was increasing. Their heavenly saving account is increasing.

Jesus said, “¹⁹ “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, ²⁰ but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. ²¹ For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Mt 6:19-21)

When we have money, the best way to use it is to serve God.

“In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ” (Acts 20:35)

Paul wants to know Christ. Even though he was entitled to get financial support from other churches where he taught the gospel, he worked. He wanted to practice what Jesus said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” To Paul, to know Christ by obeying his word is millions of times more important and precious than enjoying his due privilege.

How does Paul describe the Philippians’ gifts to him, and what can we learn from this? (18)

¹⁸ I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God.

Paul described their gift as “full payment, and more,” and he is “well supplied”. He accepted their gift as the maximum payment. They did not need to pay. But they paid the full amount and more. Paul saw their gift as payment. Maybe it comes from knowing Christ, who paid the full payment and more on the cross for us.

Paul described their gift before God as “A fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God.” Paul saw their gift as their offering to God. Before God’s eyes, their gift is not an expense that reduces their financial resources. It is their fragrant offering and sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God.

What does God do for those who give, and how does Paul praise this God? (19,20)

¹⁹ And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. ²⁰ To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.

God will supply every need of theirs according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Paul credits God and the Father with the eternal glory. One of the reasons Paul praises God and Father is his generous provision for every need of the believers, including the Philippians. Paul knew Christ would strengthen them as he had strengthened him in times of need.

Additional note from Q3. (v.14-20

V.14-20

Paul calls “my God” in v.19. The God Paul knows. The God Paul experiences. The God who is his personal God. The God whom Paul can claim “my God.”

Paul helped them to see what they did (their gift) from God’s perspective. How is God’s reward, and what is it before God’s eyes?

¹⁴ Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble.

¹⁵ And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only.

At the beginning, only the Philippian church participated in giving and receiving. Later, other churches could join. Paul could encourage them to give. Without the support, Paul could not do such great work. Many people think Paul could do the great work all by himself. But he served the mission work always together with others and other churches.

¹⁶ Even in Thessalonica, you sent me help for my needs once and again. ¹⁷ Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit.

Paul did not say this to encourage them to keep doing for him, but to increase their credit.
It is the fruit of love, service, and care. “Increases to your credit” - credit that they will get from God. They stored their treasure in heaven.

“Giving is an act of righteousness.”

Paul was pleased and encouraged them to keep doing so, not because of his needs but to increase their credit and God’s reward for them.

¹⁸ I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God.

Paul told them that what they had given was before God. Before God, their offering was a “fragrant” offering. “Fragrant” is a pleasing aroma to God. God really accepts it with great joy.

a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God.

In OT, people made animal sacrifices. But what God pleased was their offering.

The Philippians supported him. Paul was saying, “You gave it (your gift) to me. But you actually gave to God.” Even though we offer our service to others or churches or we support some needy people, God accepts them as our offerings to God.

When we give something to others, the impact does not happen only between the giver and the receiver. It affects God. When we sin, we sin against God. In the same way, when we give to others, God accepts it as our offering, and our relationship with God also changes.

If they knew this truth, the Philippians would send their gifts with a different mindset because they know they are offering to God. Paul wanted them to know the value of what they are doing.

He encouraged them to do all the more, not because of his (Paul's) benefit but because of their credit (Your credit). Through the offering, he could see their spiritual maturity.

Why do we encourage others and our children to serve God? It is for their blessings, and their relationship with God increases.

But some people misunderstand and say, “Oh, I sacrifice too much for the church”. Our service is not giving something to others but to God.

¹⁹ And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

How will God reward them? God will supply every need of theirs according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. God never forgets what we give. We do not say, “We offer something to get something from God.” But we offer to God out of great thanks and joy. But in supplying every need of ours, God expresses his generosity.

God treats us according to how we treat others. Through faith in God, by giving to others, we can experience God’s generosity. If we are stingy, that person cannot experience God’s generosity.

“according to his riches”- Once God rewards us, it is abundant. Our offerings are limited. But God’s reward is not limited.

God reveals his glory

his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

God’s grace in Jesus does not depend on what we do or do not do. His grace in Christ is abundant and generous.

But if we do not do this, we may not have a chance to experience the generosity of God.

If we are always concerned for others and offer our best to God, we can experience God’s generosity.

²⁰ To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.

By remembering God’s provision. Our God and Father. God is our Father who always cares about us and gives us his blessings and generosity. Paul really experienced God’s generosity as his Father.

He knew that God was the Father, and he would provide. One of the best ways to help our children is to live by faith in God the Father. The best way to live an abundant life is to keep giving to others. If they live for themselves selfishly, they will suffer from anxiety, fear, and live in poverty.

V. 21-23

²¹ Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me greet you. ²² All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar's household. ²³ The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

What does Paul tell the Philippians to do? (21a) What do you think it means to greet one another in Christ Jesus? How does Paul convey the greetings of those with him to them? (21a-23) Why do you think it's important to greet one another in Jesus?

What does Paul tell the Philippians to do? (21a)

²¹ Greet every saint in Christ Jesus.

He wants the Philippians to greet every saint in Christ Jesus. Some of them could be total strangers to the Philippians. But Paul wants them to do so.

What do you think it means to greet one another in Christ Jesus?

To recognize each other as precious saints in the Lord. They still have many problems. But they are saints in Christ Jesus. They are a part of one big family of God.

How does Paul convey the greetings of those with him to them? (21a-23)

Paul says, ‘Brothers who are with me greet you’. “All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar’s household.”

Why do you think it's important to greet one another in Jesus?

Because it is the expression of the Lord’s love for all mankind.

Additional notes from Q4 (v.21-23)

V. 21-23

A greeting is to show our love and favor to the person. Ultimately, you give yourself to another person. You let your presence be known to other people.

When we greet others, those who receive our greeting know our love through our greeting. Then they recognize our care through greeting. Then, through greeting, some fellowship and connections arise. If there is no greeting, there will be no exchange or fellowship. Even in a simple greeting, such as a simple text, works. The receiver thinks, “Oh, he remembers you.”

“Greet every saint” Paul wants everyone to greet and make connections.

The brothers who are with me greet you.

In doing God’s work, Paul always tries to connect people and work together with others. Last Sunday, we had a West Coast regional UBF chapter directors’ meeting. And we could see what we did during the West Coast Regional Summer Bible Conference. Some chapters are changing due to the conference. Most of all, by meeting together and having fellowship, they were greatly encouraged.

San Diego UBF appreciated the conference. They are willing to come to the Christmas worship service, too.

In greetings, sometimes we need to make an effort.

In conclusion, we want to learn how to be content in all situations. We continually serve God and the mission. Our support for others is a great fragrant offering to God. We recognize it all the more. And we may experience God’s great reward all the more everywhere in a church or all over the world.

LA UBF Bible Study Materials