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APRIL 30 DEVOTIONAL– PHILIPPIANS 4:14-20 Generosity

APRIL 30 – PHILIPPIANS 4:14-20

GOSPEL GENEROSITY

Today, we continue our reading plan by looking at the Philippians generosity. Paul looked on their missionary gift as an investment that would pay them rich spiritual dividends. The church entered into an arrangement of “giving and receiving”; the church gave materially to Paul, and received spiritually from the Lord. The Lord keeps the books and will never fail to pay one spiritual dividend!

Paul looked on their gift as a spiritual sacrifice, laid on the altar to the glory of God. There are such things as “spiritual sacrifices” in the Christian life (see 1 Peter 2:5). We are to yield our bodies as spiritual sacrifices (Rom. 12:1–2), as well as the praise of our lips (Heb. 13:15). Good works are a sacrifice to the Lord (Heb. 13:16), and so are the lost souls that we are privileged to win to Christ (Rom. 15:16; it is God doing the work, we are just a vessel He is using). Here, Paul sees the Philippian believers as priests, giving their offering as a sacrifice to the Lord. In the light of Malachi 1:6–14, we need to present the very finest that we have to the Lord

Contentment comes from adequate resources. Our resources are the providence of God, the power of God, and the promises of God. These resources made Paul sufficient for every demand of life, and they can make us sufficient too.

14 Nevertheless, you have done well to share with me in my affliction. 15 You yourselves also know, Philippians, that at the first preaching of the gospel, after I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving but you alone; 16 for even in Thessalonica you sent a gift more than once for my needs. 17 Not that I seek the gift itself, but I seek for the profit which increases to your account. 18 But I have received everything in full and have an abundance; I am amply supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what you have sent, a fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God. 19 And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 20 Now to our God and Father be the glory forever and ever. Amen. (NASB)

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

  • Find contentment in Christ, not in material things.
  • Trust God with your worries, trials, and tribulations. He will meet your needs.
  • When God gives to His obedient children, He gives according to His infinite riches in glory

CLOSER LOOK:

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Psalm 23 Virus Devotional – The Lord is my Shepherd

APRIL 27 – PSALM 23

THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD

Psalm 23, also called the shepherd’s psalm, was composed by David, who was a shepherd in his youth. Remember what Scripture tells us about David’s life as a shepherd boy. (1) David was out keeping sheep when Samuel the judge came to his father Jesse’s home to find a king of God’s choosing (1 Sam 16:11). (2) David was the youngest of eight sons and he was left behind to tend sheep when his three oldest brothers went to battle. However, he occasionally visited them (1 Sam 17:12-20, 28). (3) David used skills sharpened during years of shepherding to kill Goliath (1 Sam 17:34-37, 40-51). (4) David is remembered as having been chosen by God and taken from the sheepfolds to shepherd the people of Israel (Ps 78:70-72).

Psalm 23 reflects David’s career shift. While the first four verses paint a pastoral picture, the last two have David sitting at a banquet table, most likely as king, while his enemies—those over whom God has made him triumph—look on. Having grown up in rural places, David had come to the city to exercise authority and power.

This passage has been looked at and remembered in many different ways and is one of the most popular passages of the Bible. Let’s try and look at it with fresh eyes to see what God is showing us.

1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2     He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
3     He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness
    for his name’s sake.

4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
    I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
    your rod and your staff,
    they comfort me.

5 You prepare a table before me
    in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
    my cup overflows.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
    all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
    forever.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Lord leads, protects, guides, and restores His flock. (v. 1-4)
  • The Lord is our Provider (v. 5)
  • Our eternal hope is in enjoying God’s presence (v. 6)
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