About 20 years ago, our family was in a car wreck. I had my cruise control set at 45 mph (which was the speed limit for that road) as I was about to drive through a red-light intersection. I had a green light and a car in the oncoming traffic was waiting to make a left turn. The driver in the oncoming traffic lane waited for our van to approach and moments before reaching the intersection, the other driver made the left turn right in front of our van. With no time to stop, I swerved the van around the car but headed right for the light pole. Missing the light pole, our van hit the medium and some mile markers with reflectors on them. Air bags deployed, windows burst, the manifold separated from the body of the van, and the van was totaled. The driver who caused the accident did not stop. We ended this event with no vehicle for a family of 7, an insurance claim, and the cost of our deductible. We learned a few things in the days that followed. We learned how God miraculously guided me to drive and miss hitting the other car and miss hitting the light pole. We learned how thankful we were that none of us were seriously hurt. We learned how God supplied even better transportation than we had been using. I could enumerate further, but I think you get the point.
In this last section of Philippians 4, Paul shares 5 life lessons he has learned from the position of hardship. It is so important that we choose to learn from hardship. Consider your trials today. What is God graciously teaching you? The first things the apostle Paul speaks of is thankfulness.
THANKFUL (4:10)
Let’s look at some points to ponder as Paul introduces this section of his letter (Source: Pulpit Commentary):
o Paul expresses his thanks for the financial gift the Philippian church gave to Epaphroditus (4:18) to bring to him.
o Notice Paul is modeling the very exhortation he gave the Philippian believers earlier in this same chapter (verse 4).
o Paul is greatly encouraged that the Philippians care for him has been revived (“your care of me hath flourished again”). One commentator points out that this verb is correctly used “of a tree putting forth fresh shoots after its winter sleep.” Some believe this points to the possibility that it was springtime when he wrote those words. Paul is genuinely built up knowing these believers were mindful of his needs and of his sufferings – no other church helped him! (4:15)
o “…now at last” speaks to a delay in receiving help. The delay in receiving this gift was not due to their neglect of Paul. The phrase “ye lacked opportunity” is tied to not knowing one who was traveling the considerable distance to Rome.
o Paul is careful to declare God as the source of this provision.
We need to be careful we do not grow cold to the needs of others, specifically of those serving the Lord. However, this comes more from deeper relationship with God (more time in His Word, in prayer, in worship, in Bible meditation). A growing love for God will overflow as a love for others—and that love will be kind, humble, unselfish, not angry, and patient (I Cor. 13:4-8). In short, that love will be God-focused and others-minded.
CONTENT (4:11-12)
The second life lesson Paul learned from hardship is contentedness. This Roman imprisonment no doubt caused times of great need for Paul. He makes it clear he is not complaining. He had learned to be thankful for what God had chosen to entrust to him – whether that be abundance or scarcity. We must also note that this verse is referencing a “contented mind.” It is not what I see that makes me content, but rather it has much more to do with what I rehearse in my mind.
A man drove a car with a gas gauge that no longer functioned. He would fill up his tank, mark down the mileage, and then take note what his mileage would be when it was time to get gas again. Some connections for the gas gauge needed to be repaired.
When the believer is disconnected from regular relationship with Jesus, he will struggle with a discontent. The gauge of our “contentedness meter” is overwhelmingly connected to living in the reality of the presence of God. Hebrews 13:5 reveals a vital truth for the content life.
“Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee nor forsake thee.”
What you have, God allowed. What you do not have, God has not chosen to entrust to you yet. God has not forgotten you. God has not left you on your own. God loves you…and He is in all places at all times! The lesson of contentedness is one many will battle. Rehearsing the reality of God’s loving presence and character will directly impact a person’s contentedness.
DEPENDENT (4:13)
The third lesson from hardship that Paul shares is one of dependence on God. Paul states God gives him the strength to do all things. Think of Paul’s experiences as context of verse 13. He was shipwrecked more than once. He was whipped, unjustly imprisoned, physically beaten by a Jerusalem mob, and stoned almost to death. He now writes under Roman confinement, having recently experienced a significant lack of resources. No matter the resources God entrusts to you, it is God who enables you to serve Him with what He has given you. (Source: Barnes Notes on the Bible)
We can fill our days with excuses to reason our own exemption from serving the Lord; however, no matter our location or abilities or resources, we are all called to serve Him. We must choose Him and He is the One who enables us to serve.
APPRECIATIVE (4:14-18)
The fourth lesson from hardship that Paul shares is appreciation. Paul takes time to show appreciation and to point out the godly choices these believers made. They made choices like:
o Sacrificial giving when no other church was helping (4:15)
o Showing practical love for this missionary/evangelist
o Giving to his ministry more than once (4:16)
o Striving for eternal fruit (4:17)
o An offering they gave to God from which Paul benefited (4:18)
Parents have the responsibility to provide for the needs of their children (i.e.-clothing, food, shelter). As a child grows up, they eventually get a job and start buying some of their own clothes and various wants. It is interesting to watch the change of priorities take place when the maturing teenager now has to buy their wants with their own money. They suddenly look for sales and choose not to purchase something because it is too expensive. The value of money impacted their priorities.
The choices we make not only reveal our values, but they also have an eternal impact! We must evaluate our priorities in view of scripture. We will all bow the knee and confess Jesus is Lord one day (Rom. 14:11-12). We will all be left without our “reasonable excuses” when we face the judgment seat of Christ (I Cor. 3:9-15). Now is the time to pursue Jesus and make a profound impact for all eternity! Pursue Him in your home, in your marriage, in your workplace, and most importantly — in the privacy of your own mind.
OUTCOMES (4:19)
The last lesson from hardship spoken of in this section of scripture is the impact of outcomes. This passage has often been incorrectly used as a catch all verse – meaning, no matter your state of generosity, God will supply your needs. Although there are other Bible passages that speak of God’s provision, this particular passage ties the outcome of God’s provision to our generosity. Barnes Notes on the Bible Commentary explains this verse and context with this helpful nugget:
“You have shown your regard for me as a friend of God, by sending to me in my distress, and I have confidence that, in return for all this, God will supply all your needs, when you are in circumstances of necessity.”
The apostle Paul makes the bold declaration of God supplying their needs in the context of their having sacrificially supplied his needs. Paul believes God would regard their offering with favor (Source: Barnes Notes on the Bible). This is a Divine investment return!
Through Jesus, “we have grace to do what is good, and through Him we must expect the reward” (Source: Matthew Henry Commentary). They did not give in order to get. This would have selfish motives. The Philippians gave out of love, kindness, and generosity and Paul says God will meet their needs.
It is so important that we learn from hardship. May we all learn to be thankful, to be content, to be dependent, to be appreciative, and to be mindful of the outcomes of our choices.