Since our beginning, I have never preached on tithing; as a church, we have never passed the boot around – not that we don’t believe in giving, but because we believe God loves a cheerful giver. Having said that, I will not avoid speaking about it when the passage come up – which today is one of those days.
I know several of you have come to me and expressed the message was aimed at them and where they are on their individual journey the past few messages. What I find powerful about that is the fact that Roman and I went through the messages in Philippians and had them all prepared before we ever began preaching this series. The timing of the messages rests solely in the hands of God.
Today’s message, as uncomfortable as it maybe, is no exception to that, nor could it come at a better time. At the end of 2025, we all knew the situation we were in with a building we had filled for nearly a year. I presented the possibility of us getting this building here on Reidville Road.
Looking at the numbers – none of us were comfortable, because the numbers of what it would cost, verses what we had coming in – the numbers didn’t add up. So we knew coming here that this was going to be a huge step of faith for everybody. So, as a church, we prayed and we put our faith in God (and one another) agreed to take that step of faith.
For the first couple of months, we went from 8 people you faithfully, consistently gave to our ministry, to 16 people who jumped onboard and gave, not to mention our cash giving, which has tripled, and so after three months, having taking on over 7K a month in expenses we never had before – we still had in the bank the 30K we had when we came here. BUT GOD is all I can say.
Over the past six months, we have given out over 120 t-shirts, baptized 25 people, our numbers in attendance have increased to the point we have been full almost every Sunday.
As exciting as it has been, I’m afraid many of us only see the ministry from a micro perspective, and not a macro perspective. In other words, some folks only see ministry through their lens, but they don’t see the big picture. So my hope is to give you a glimpse into the big picture.
Let me give you some Micros – Many discussed our next steps: tearing down the wall; making more room for more growth; increasing our classroom sizes; Some have discussed caring for our widows; While others want to take trips and do fun stuff – and these are all great things; However, the truth is, as legitimate and needed as some, if not, all these things are – they all come at a cost.
But, now here is the MACRO – the “big Picture.” Though God has truly blessed our ministry, when it comes to the giving to support our ministry, since moving here, we have taken on two additional regular, faithful givers, and our cash giving has increased, which took us to 18 faithful givers. However, over the past 3 months, we have fallen from 18 people who were giving consistently back to 8 people who faithfully, consistently give to this ministry. As a result, instead of maintaining around 28-30K, we have fallen to around 22-23K in only 3 months time. That is nearly a 6K drop in 3 months’ time. That may not concern you – but it concerns me greatly. And the sad truth is, at this point, I’m more concerned about having enough funds in our account at the end of the lease to even be able to renew the lease.
And listen, I’m not trying to be mean, I’m not trying to guilt trip any one. If you’re new here, please don’t feel like I’m trying to solicit funds from you or just another church asking for money – because that is not the case. At the end of the day – we are still not taking up and offering, and we still believe God loves a cheerful, faithful, and generous giver. What I am trying to give you today are the facts of where we are.
Sadly, the first thought that comes to many minds is that “we need to do more fundraisers.” And here is why I am so against that: fundraising in the community has never been a replacement for faithfulness of God’s people – the Church! To rely on the community to provide for our church robs our people of the opportunity to be partners in the ministry.
As the apostle Paul begins this portion of Scripture in my mind, I believe he thinks of all the churches he started – in Ephesus, in Galatia, in Thessalonica, in Macedonia, in Colossi, in Rome, and in Philippi, yet, the only church that supported his entire ministry was the Church in Philippi.
So the question has to be, “Why only one church?” And I think the truth is, for many people, giving generously is viewed more as losing something rather than investing in something greater.
Many believers struggle with giving because they see it as an obligation instead of an opportunity. They worry about whether or not they’ll make ends meat, if they’ll have enough to get by, and far too often, we view generosity as a burden rather than a blessing.
As a result, we miss one of the great joys of the Christian life – the privilege of partnering with God in His work and experiencing His faithful provision. In other words, putting God to the test and seeing if He will not open the windows of heaven and pour you out a blessing.
As Paul closes his letter to the Philippians, he thanks them for their faithful generosity. But he does more than thank them. He teaches us powerful truths about giving, faith, and God’s provision.
In Philippians 4:15-19, Paul reveals five truths that should motivate believers toward joyful and faithful generosity.
IT PRODUCES PARTNERS IN GOD’S WORK (v. 15-16)
“Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only.”
Paul begins by reminding the Philippian believers of their unique partnership.
When Paul first began taking the Gospel throughout Macedonia, many churches benefited from his ministry, but only the Philippians consistently supported him financially.
They understood something many Christians never grasp: The Gospel advances through partnership.
The Philippians helped make that ministry possible. They were not standing in the spotlight, but they were helping hold up the light.
Paul even says in verse 16, “For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity.” Their giving was not occasional.
- It was intentional.
- It was consistent.
- It was sacrificial.
Every successful church requires partnership. Missionaries are sent because someone gives. Churches are planted because someone gives. Children ministries grow because someone gives. Ministries continue because someone gives.
When you give, you become a partner in every ministry your church supports.
- You may never stand behind a pulpit.
- You may never travel overseas.
- You may never teach a class.
But through faithful giving, you become part of the work God is doing. Giving is not merely paying bills. Giving is participating in God’s mission.
IT PRODUCES ETERNAL FRUIT (v. 17)
“Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account.”
Paul’s focus was not on receiving money. His concern was the spiritual growth of the Philippians. He says, “I desire fruit.” Paul understood something important. The greatest benefit of giving is not what it does for the ministry. The greatest benefit of giving is what it does in the life of the giver.
- Giving develops faith.
- Giving teaches trust.
- Giving breaks the grip of materialism.
- Giving helps believers focus on eternity instead of temporary possessions.
A farmer understands that seed placed into the ground seems lost. Yet that seed eventually produces a harvest. The farmer does not mourn the seed. He anticipates the crop.
Likewise, every gift invested in God’s work becomes spiritual seed planted for eternity.
- Lives are changed.
- Souls are saved.
- Disciples are made.
- Churches are strengthened.
The fruit continues long after the gift is given.
One day in heaven, we may discover that people came to Christ because of ministries we helped support but never personally witnessed.
That is fruit that abounds to our account. The world says, “Keep everything you can.” God says, “Invest what you can.”
The greatest returns on investment are always eternal.
YOUR SACRIFICE PLEASES GOD (v. 18)
“I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God.”
Paul describes their gift in worship language. He compares their generosity to an Old Testament sacrifice.
When sacrifices were offered to God with sincere hearts, the Bible often described them as a sweet-smelling savor before the Lord.
The Philippians were not merely sending money. They were worshiping God, and that changes everything.
Giving is not primarily a financial issue – Giving is a worship issue.
- It reveals what we value.
- It reveals what we trust.
- It reveals what we love.
God is never impressed by the amount, He is concerned with the heart.
The widow’s two mites pleased God more than the large offerings of the wealthy because her gift reflected faith and sacrifice.
A gift may be large in dollars and small in faith. Or it may be small in dollars and great in faith. God sees the difference.
Every act of sacrificial generosity rises before Him as an act of worship. When believers give with thankful hearts, God is pleased. Not because He needs our money. Because He desires our devotion and partnership in the ministry.
IT TRUST GOD’S PROVISION (v. 19a)
“And my God shall supply all your need…“
This is one of the most beloved promises in Scripture. But notice its context. This promise was given to generous believers.
The Philippians had given faithfully, and Paul reminds them that God would not overlook their sacrifice. The God who supplied Paul’s needs would supply theirs.
Many believers want the promise of verse 19 without the generosity of verses 15-18. But the Philippians had demonstrated faith through giving.
Now Paul reminds them they can trust God for their future.
Every rider eventually learns that trust is essential. You cannot enjoy the ride if you are constantly worried about every mile, every turn, or every possibility. Trust allows you to move forward confidently.
Likewise, believers must trust God’s provision. This does not mean God promises luxury. It means He promises sufficiency. Notice Paul says God will supply every need.
- Not every want.
- Not every wish.
- Not every preference.
- But every genuine need.
God knows what His children require. And He faithfully provides. He always has. He always will.
IS FULLY DEPENDENT ON GOD’S RICHES (v. 19b)
“According to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”
This phrase is powerful. Paul does not say God gives “out of” His riches. He says God gives “according to” His riches. There is a difference.
A wealthy person may give ten dollars out of his wealth. But giving according to wealth reflects the size of the resources available.
God’s resources are limitless.
- He owns the cattle on a thousand hills.
- He created the universe.
- He spoke galaxies into existence.
There has never been a need too great for Him. There has never been a burden too heavy for Him. There has never been a crisis that caught Him by surprise.
- Our resources are limited – but God’s resources are unlimited.
- Our strength is finite – but God’s strength is infinite.
- Our vision is short-sighted – but God sees the end from the beginning.
That is why believers can give generously. We are not depending upon our resources. We are depending upon God’s riches in glory through Christ Jesus.
CONCLUSION
Picture a group of riders gathered at a fuel stop during a long journey. One rider notices another has run short on fuel. Without hesitation, he reaches into his pocket and helps cover the cost. At the moment, it seems like a small act. A few dollars exchanged. A simple gesture of kindness. But because of that gift, the rider continues the journey.
- The destination is reached.
- The mission is accomplished.
- The fellowship continues.
What seemed small became significant. That is exactly how God views generosity. The gifts of the Philippians may have appeared ordinary, but God used them to sustain a missionary, strengthen a ministry, and spread the Gospel throughout the known world.
Today, God still uses ordinary gifts to accomplish extraordinary things. Remember what God has built us to do:
- To Partner in God’s Work
- To Produce Eternal Fruit
- To Please God Through Sacrifice
- To Trust God’s Provision
- To Depend on God’s Riches
Church, generosity is not about what leaves your hand. It is about what God does with what you place in His hands. The world says, “Get all you can.” God says, “Give what you can.”
And when God’s people give faithfully, the Gospel advances, lives are changed, and God receives glory.
- So invest faithfully.
- Trust God completely.
- Give joyfully.
And watch what God can do through a generous heart. God has not built you merely to receive His blessings. He has built you to become a blessing.
Fighting for My Pea Patch 