Friday, May 17 | Philippians 4:10-23 | Alvin Pelton
Following his own advice Paul is rejoicing in the Lord, as he continues to close out his letter of thanksgiving to the church at Philippi. Several times (Philippians 4:15-18) he uses financial terms so this may well imply that the gift primarily consisted of money but I think we could also assume that other items of necessity would have been included to ease the hardship of his imprisonment.
Moving toward a conclusion we find an interesting play on words. Our protagonist was a master communicator and in some Scriptures we hear him reshape the thoughts of the Greco-Roman philosophers to share the message of Christ. Aristotle defined contentment as “possessing all things and needing nothing.” The Stoic ideal was to be “self-sufficient in all things.” Paul takes some of those messages and applies them to his complete dependence on God. In Philippians 4:11-12 we read “I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what is to be in need, and I know what is to have plenty.” In Philippians 4:13, Paul reminds us that “I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.” Paul was content and it was not based upon need or self-sufficiency, but because he was utterly dependent on a God who gave him all that was needed. Counter to the Stoic’s ideal, Paul told us that God’s grace was sufficient for us and that His power is made perfect in our weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9).
Not wanting his dear friends in Philippi to think he was ungrateful when he said he needed nothing, he again expresses thanks to them “…it was so good of you to share in my troubles” and then he says, “Not that I desire a gift. I desire that fruit might abound to your account.”
With the closing strokes of the pen he closes his letter with a benediction and gives God all praise and glory. Do not neglect to notice who is included in the closing greetings…those who belong to Caesar’s household.
When we read Paul’s testimony and follow his many journeys, it seems almost laughable to think that some individuals accused him of being nothing more than a “seed picker” because he was not a trained speaker. (See Acts 17:18 and 2 Corinthians 11:5-6)
Saturday, May 18-Sunday, May 19 | Philippians 3:1-4:23
Reread Philippians 3:1-4:23 over the weekend. Reflect on all that God has been saying to you through His word this week.
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