Category Archives: Bible Study

PAUL’S HAPPY LETTER…AND RECEIVING – 17b

Bible Study, ,

“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…”

‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭15‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Giving and receiving…I wonder why Paul wrote about giving and receiving. Learning to give, we understand…but… is there something about receiving that we ought to know?

In our last post, we learned about some of the considerations Paul mentioned about the Philippians’ gifts of money to him…things like… it was not about the money but the message the money carried… about their love, care, and consideration for him when they were the only people who took care of his needs more than once. 

Their gifts were about what God thought about them…He saw their gifts as a fragrant offering and a sacrifice…an act of worship to Him. 

Why was the way these Philippians received help, if at some time they did, as important as the way they gave help to Paul? 

In a previous post, I explained that God’s economic system creates a current. Unlike the world system, which is strictly tit-for-tat…for example I sell, you buy…God teaches us to keep money circulating by giving and receiving.  Since He is generous…giving us liberally whatever we need…we must, in turn, be generous towards others. Again, giving and receiving is a faith partnership with Him. When we give, God gives back but…always through people because that’s the way He has chosen to work. 

We learned that like everything else we do, no matter how mundane it may seem, we do it first to Jesus and then to one another. In this way, we show our love for Him. 

So, He wants us to receive the generosity of others in the same way as we give…not resisting…not reluctant or protesting as some do, thinking that we are being humble or that we really don’t need help when we do. 

Receiving is as much an act of grace as giving because…first, we are part of the circulation of resources. If we are reluctant or refuse to receive… we break the cycle. 

Second, we dishonour God because He is the one who prompts the giver to be generous. 

Third…we rob the giver of the blessing that follows generosity. 

Fourth…and this one really matters…we rob God of the glory due to Him because giving and receiving reflect Him when we keep the resources circulating. God desires equality in His family. We can only experience true equality when we co-operate fully with His plan. 

“For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you. Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous. And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will thank God. As a result of your ministry, they will give glory to God. For your generosity to them and to all believers will prove that you are obedient to the Good News of Christ. And they will pray for you with deep affection because of the overflowing grace God has given to you. Thank God for this gift too wonderful for words!”

‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭9‬:‭10‬-‭11‬, ‭13‬-‭15‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Can you see the outcome of generosity? Both giver and receiver are righteous and blessed, and God receives the praise. 

Paul said something at the end of this teaching that is mostly taught and understood out of context. 

“Thank God for this gift too wonderful for words!”

What was the gift Paul referred to? Most people immediately think of God’s gift as Jesus but…let’s look at the context. Surely, Paul must have been referring to the grace of giving and receiving as God’s gift to us.  Why? 

Greed, not generosity, is the characteristic of people in the world. People don’t like parting with their money. They want more, not less. They don’t think of money as seed or “currency”, increasing as they sow it or keeping the cycle going so that everyone has enough. The world’s way doesn’t work like God’s way because God is never in the mix. 

Generosity, giving and receiving, is God’s gift to us, marvellous because it involves a change of heart. When we get in on His way, we enter the flow of what the Bible calls “righteousness”. Especially in the Old Testament, righteousness, generosity and mercy are all attributes of God and are interconnected. 

“The wicked borrow and do not repay, but the righteous give generously (they are full of mercy and give), …I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread. They are always generous (Hebrew-full of mercy), and lend freely; their children will be a blessing.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭37‬:‭21‬, ‭25‬-‭26‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Another interesting point…the word “children” in verse 25, 26 is actually translated from the Hebrew word for “seed”. 

Our children are our seed for the next generation. In the same way, our money is our seed for the next harvest. If we don’t have children, there will be no seed for the next generation. Likewise, if we don’t sow our “seed”, our money now, we will not have seed for next year…nothing to eat and nothing to sow. 

Paul likened generosity with our money to sowing seed and reaping a harvest of more seed…and righteousness in our hearts and behaviour. 

“Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness.”

‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭9‬:‭10‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Consider these verses…

“Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word should share all good things with their instructor. Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

‭‭Galatians‬ ‭6‬:‭6‬-‭9‬ ‭NIV‬‬

 Is Paul not issuing this warning in the context of “the law of the harvest”? What is “sowing to the flesh” here? Is he not referring to greed or stinginess if people fail to support their teachers. He has just instructed his readers to be generous to those who teach them. After all, they depend on the generosity of those who are taught for their income since teaching is their “work”. 

In this context, if they fail to sow, according to the law of the harvest, they will not reap a harvest because this is the way God works. The way we use our money is one of the clearest ways of revealing what is in our hearts. 

Jesus put it like this…

“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭6‬:‭24‬ ‭NIV‬‬

…not “money” but “Mammon”…greed…the attitude behind money. 

Now, let’s pull this together. 

Giving and receiving are part of the same process…keeping the circulation of God’s resources going… which is the way God distributes His gifts through people, to provide for everyone’s needs. 

We are in partnership with God, both by eating what we need and sowing the seed He provides to keep the seed multiplying so that everyone has enough. This “law of the harvest” from the natural world demonstrates God’s “righteousness” at work in us, contributing  to our righteousness in response to God, and to God’s glory. 

To be continued

PAUL’S HAPPY LETTER…GIVING – 17a

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“I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. 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; for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid more than once when I was in need. Not that I desire your gifts; what I desire is that more be credited to your account. 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.”

‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭10‬, ‭14‬-‭18‬ ‭NIV‬‬

It seems that Paul was reluctant to end his letter. He kept adding to his “finally” with more thoughts before he said goodbye. Perhaps he was so aware of his impending death that he wanted to teach them as much as he could before he was no longer with them. 

“Oh, by the way…thank you for your gift via Epaphroditus,”…but, for Paul, just saying “thank you“ wasn’t enough. This was not the first time the Philippians had sent him money but…it wasn’t about the money. The money was the messenger…first, that they cared about him,…second, that they were aware of his needs and…third, that they did something about it. 

More than once, these people were the only ones who sent Paul money when he was travelling around and probably unable to do what brought him an income. 

However, for Paul, the money was not the issue. What the money said and did was of greater importance to him. What did their gifts say to him? 

“Not that I desire your gifts; what I desire is that more be credited to your account.”

First…they cared enough about him to look after his needs. That spoke volumes about the love that grace has taught them. Generosity and consideration towards him were the fruit of their union with Jesus. That pleased Paul more than the money itself. 

Second…their generosity was credited to their heavenly “bank account”. 

“But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭6‬:‭20‬-‭21‬ ‭NIV‬‬

 Paul instructed Timothy…

“Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.”

‭‭1 Timothy‬ ‭6‬:‭17‬-‭19‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Wow! Who would have thought that giving money to someone in need would have such a profound effect on one’s own eternal status?

Third…God also had a perspective of their gift to Paul. 

“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.”

God views whatever we do for someone in need as an acceptable sacrifice offered to Him. 

“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭25‬:‭40‬ ‭NIV‬‬

So, Paul elevated the simple act of giving to the level of an act of worship…a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. 

Imagine how much poorer we would have been had Paul not added his thanks about the money the Philippians had sent him!  

To be continued

PAUL’S HAPPY LETTER…FINALLY – 16 d

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“And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.”

‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭8‬-‭9‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Finally, one final thing!

God’s peace is real…present…active…in guarding our hearts and minds from the confusing thoughts that mess with our peace but…how do we keep it that way? What can we do to prevent the conflicting thoughts from intruding into our inner beings?

Paul gives us the practical steps we can take to guard the peace that guards us. Two  ways…

First, take control of your thoughts! Yes, we can discipline our minds to create paths of thinking that protect us from the random thoughts that get us into trouble. 

“Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.”

Choose what you think about…and keep exchanging your random thinking for disciplined thoughts. When we allow our thoughts to roam…to follow what we see and hear without considering what these thoughts do to us…when it’s time to make decisions, we have no disciplined thought-paths to follow. 

The best way to organise our thinking into useful and positive paths is to fill our minds with God’s Word…what He says about Himself, about us, and about what He thinks of us. When we have issues to face and decisions to make, our thoughts will guide us towards His way, undergirded by His truth. 

When we actively work at disciplining our thoughts, as  I have so often said, we become partners with God. He does something special!

There is a path towards God’s interventions on our behalf that goes even beyond His promise never to abandon us. Yes, He is within us by His Spirit. Yes, He fills heaven and earth. Yes, it is impossible to escape Him, even if we tried, but…

…for those who actively pursue Him…purposefully obey Him and seek His will…there is something more…favour!

“Surely, Lord, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭5‬:‭12‬ ‭NIV‬‬

There are two men in Scripture…who experienced God’s favour in a profound way…

Joseph…

“The Lord was with Joseph, so he succeeded in everything he did as he served in the home of his Egyptian master.”

‭‭Genesis‬ ‭39‬:‭2‬ ‭NLT‬‬

David…

“David continued to succeed in everything he did, for the Lord was with him.”

‭‭1 Samuel‬ ‭18‬:‭14‬ ‭NLT‬‬

This “with” suggests that God’s favour rested on these men so profoundly that they were far more successful in what they did than their peers. 

Paul uses a similar idea…that God will personally accompany those who follow the path of peace with His favour… by walking on the same road that He walks. 

What is that road?

“Fear of the Lord is the foundation of wisdom. Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgment. Wisdom will multiply your days and add years to your life. If you become wise, you will be the one to benefit. If you scorn wisdom, you will be the one to suffer.”

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭9‬:‭10‬-‭12‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Solomon, the wise man, gives us the prescription. 

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.”

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭3‬:‭5‬-‭6‬ ‭NLT‬‬

God’s presence…favour…active intervention…is guaranteed to those who fill their hearts and minds with His word, keeping them at peace by blocking anything that tries to intrude.  There will be no place for Satan’s thoughts…to distract and cause confusion…when the mind is pre-occupied with God’s thoughts. 

So, Paul counsels…

“Let the peace of Christ rule (govern our prevail), in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.”

‭‭Colossians‬ ‭3‬:‭15‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“In the Bible, peace is not merely the quiet absence of trouble or war. It means complete wholeness, health, well-being, and right relationships.” (Source: Google AI)

This is the peace that follows a disciplined thought life and governs everyone who walks on God’s road of wisdom with Him because He is actively for them. 

To be continued

PAUL’S HAPPY LETTER…FINALLY – 16c

Bible Study, ,

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭11‬:‭28‬-‭30‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Paul’s next “finally” is one of the great keys to a life of rest in the midst of the storms which threatened to destroy them. 

Let’s unlock this one slowly. 

How can one have peace inside when the wind outside is blowing with hurricane force? These believers, under the rule of a hostile government, didn’t know whether they would still be alive the next day. They were under constant surveillance…like those in communist-ruled and Islamist countries today, whose lives are also under constant threat. 

Paul said that there is a inner peace from God that is more powerful and effective than any death threat they faced or any daily situation that confronted them. How could this peace take up its position in their lives? 

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”

‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭6‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Paul’s first word…a caution…do not allow your thoughts, not even one, to confuse you. The translation, “anxious”, masks the meaning Paul intended. Where “anxiety” conveys the meaning of “worry”, Paul meant, “Don’t allow your thoughts to pull you in two different directions.” This is not about sin…unbelief…worry. This is about confusion. 

This is the place where the “what ifs” intrude, pulling us apart inside.  Trusting God despite…collides with the frighteningly real thoughts of “what if…”, leaving us exhausted and helpless. 

What do we do with these conflicting thoughts? 

Paul said, ”Give them all to God.” Give Him all the thoughts that confuse you but…and here’s the key…although it sounds like an afterthought…do it with a thankful heart…like someone who is only too grateful to put down a burden too heavy to carry. 

“God, this is what I’m thinking but I’m thankful that you know what is best for me. I gladly give you my confusion and I trust you for the outcome.”

Once the load has been transferred onto the Father, something amazing happens. The anxiety goes…completely…and the thoughts become quiet. The storm inside stops…and a supernatural power takes its place. 

Peace isn’t the absence of conflict. It’s the powerful presence of the God of peace, that sits in the guard-post of your heart…everything you are…and your mind…everything you think…and permits nothing to get past Him that He does not authorise. 

“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭7‬ ‭NIV‬‬

With Jesus as the guarantor of everything He has done and promises to do, you are secure. Nothing can touch you that does not come through His love and for your good. 

Armed with a peace that is on permanent duty in the guard-post of your heart…the presence of God Himself…no confusion can get past Him to muddy the waters and divert your thoughts from utter and complete confidence in Him…unless you allow it!

To be continued

PAUL’S HAPPY LETTER…FINALLY – 16b

Bible Study, ,

“Let your gentleness (patience, moderation), be evident to all. The Lord is near.”

‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭5‬ ‭

The second “finally” leans heavily on God’s presence with them. Some translators introduced the idea of Jesus’ return, “the Lord is coming soon,” as the thing to remember, to keep in mind and to promt their joy… but…is this what Paul really meant? 

The Greek word for “near” is derived from the idea of a bent arm…ready to do something…to take action…to intervene. 

“The phrase “God’s arm is near” or related ideas about His arm not being too short or drawing close are found in Isaiah 59:1, which states: “Surely the arm of the LORD is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear.”Another similar passage is Isaiah 51:5, which speaks of His salvation drawing near. 

Key Verses on the Arm of God

  • Isaiah 59:1: Reminds us that God is never too weak to rescue you or too far away to listen.
  • Isaiah 51:5: Speaks of His righteousness and salvation drawing near to the people.
  • Deuteronomy 33:27: Mentions that “underneath are the everlasting arms,” showing His constant support and safety.
  • Psalm 98:1: Celebrates that His “holy arm have gained the victory.”(Source: Google AI)

Surely, then, Paul was reminding his readers that God is always near enough to help them. Therefore, rejoicing in Him always, regardless of the tough things they were enduring, kept them close to Him in their thoughts and prayers as they journeyed through their daily suffering. 

What was it that set these people apart from the world around them, and gave them joy despite their circumstances? Their character…transformed by the power of the Holy Sprit. 

People of the world live on a tit-for-tat basis… “You hurt me and I will hurt you.” Whatever is uppermost in their minds when they are ill-treated will come out. 

The believer, however, in obedience to Jesus, is learning to live by another standard…the law of God, and the character and example of Jesus. So, by putting to death…or reckoning as already dead…the old sinful nature which seeks revenge…the character of Jesus is being formed and begins to shine through deeds and words.  Instead of retaliating, he lets the hurt, the offence go. He trusts in the perfect justice of God to handle his issues. 

Why do I speak specifically of retaliation? Retaliation is our first natural and spontaneous response to injustice…and injustice is the most blatant way that humans treat one another. It’s always, “Me first…no matter who you are!” Think about it! I

Our fists go up, ready to defend or fight, whether we are right or wrong. Unfair words or treatment follow. 

Jesus earned the reward for non-retaliation…

“He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.” When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.”

‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭2‬:‭22-‭24‬ ‭NIV‬‬

…and so will we. This is the way to reveal the character of Jesus being formed in our own lives. 

“But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.”

1 Peter 2:20-21 NIV

So, the character of Jesus being formed in them, not in spite of…but because of their suffering…gave them confidence to put their trust in Him rather than to fight for themselves. He was always with them and His grace was always sufficient…in every difficult or dangerous situation. 

Jesus had promised rest to those who came to Him and embraced His yoke…accepting His way as the way to navigate life…rest from having to face life alone…from the fallout from selfishness and sin. 

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭11‬:‭28‬-‭30‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Living under Jesus’ yoke would release them from guilt, shame, and fear…and grow the gentleness that is evidence of His life within. 

To be continued