New Generosity

New Generosity

This Sunday at CDC, we had the privilege of my father, Gong Wooi Sing speak on the message: New Generosity from Philippians 4:10-19.

As Paul came to the closing of his letter, the great Apostle thanked the Philippian church again for their generosity and also shared with them how he had learnt to be content in any and every circumstance. He also reminisced fondly on how the Philippian brethren were the only church to send help to him when he set out from Macedonia. Finally, he encouraged them that God would indeed meet all their needs.

10I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 11I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

 14Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. 15Moreover, 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; 16for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid again and again when I was in need. 17Not that I am looking for a gift, but I am looking for what may be credited to your account. 18I have received full payment and even more; 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. 19And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.

From this passage, my dad drew our attention to two main principles that summed up what new generosity is really all about – Concern and Contentment.

Firstly, looking at Contentment, there are three important points. First, contentment does not depend on circumstances. Paul writes how he has learned to be content whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty of in want. Hence, contentment is not about having enough of everything we want, but being happy and thankful for everything we have. Furthermore, contentment is learned. The Greek translation of Paul’s words basically mean “I have been initiated through the experience of life to know how to be content.” Paul learnt how to be content as he faced various experiences in life - beaten, tortured, insulted, imprisoned, shipwrecked, deserted. Contentment is not something that we have or don’t have when we are born. It is developed over time as we depend on Christ’s power to brings us through any and every situation. The Lord’s grace is sufficient for us and His power is made perfect in our weakness. Finally, contentment is a matter of attitude. Here, we are specially warned against having a covetous attitude. Contentment makes a poor man rich and a rich man poor. A man who continuously seeks more and more for himself will never be satisfied. A man who has learned to give is so much closer to contentment. In his eighties, my late granduncle shared how he was thankful to God for each new morning. Indeed, contentment is a matter of attitude.

The second principle is Concern/Giving. Being contented sets us free to be concerned about others and to give freely.

He who is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward him for what he has done. Proverbs 19:17

Generous giving pleases God and God will definitely repay his loans with interest.

Luke 12:33 Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys.

Furthermore, our Lord Jesus shows us that giving to the poor lays us treasure for ourselves in heaven that will last forever.

2 Corinthians 9:7 Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

Finally, the attitude of our heart is especially important when we give, for God loves a cheerful and willing giver.

May the Lord help us learn to be contented and happy with what we have, and be generous and kind to the poor that we may please God. In Jesus name, Amen.

God bless,

Jason