Philippians 4:11 says, Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. Paul had just written about the help that he received from the church at Philippi, but he now said that he didn't allow that to influence what he had written to them. Paul said he had learned to be content no matter what his physical or material status might have been, and as followers of Christ, we need to learn the same thing. Verse twelve adds, I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. Paul basically said that he had known bad times and good times, and neither changed him. I believe that we often have more faith in God in the bad times than we do in the good times, but our faith should remain the same no matter what is happening in our life. Verse thirteen continues, I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Paul said that he could do all things, not by his own strength, but by the strength that Christ empowered him with. If we begin to feel weak or defeated in the world today, we as Christians must simply rely on the strength of Christ to be empowered to do whatever He calls us to do. Verse fourteen states, Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction. Paul said that in spite of the fact that he was content no matter what and knew that Christ would empower him to do anything that He called on him to do, that the church at Philippi had done well to help him during his affliction. I believe Paul saw their help as coming from God, but he wanted them to know that he appreciated their generosity in helping him. We should always show our appreciation to those who help us in our work for God and never feel that it is just something that we deserve. Verse fifteen adds, 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 said at the beginning of his ministry after leaving Macedonia that the church at Philippi was the only one that communicated with him concerning giving and receiving. They had been there to help Paul for a long time, and he commended them for it. We need to truly appreciate those who have helped us spiritually from the beginning of our Christian life, no matter how they may have shown that support. Verse sixteen continues, For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity. Paul said that their support had been an ongoing thing, even helping him while he was in Thessalonica. Again, Paul said that this was to help meet his necessities in life and not to enrich him. Verse seventeen says, Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account. Paul said that he wasn't commending them because he wanted another gift but was commending them because he wanted them to know the spiritual fruit of their gifts. We should never give nor receive gifts, or material support, from God for our own enrichment, but always give to others or receive His gifts from them for the advancement of the gospel and for God's glory. Verse eighteen adds, But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God. Paul said because of the help that the Philippians had sent by Epaphroditus that he had all that he needed and even more, and that their sacrifice in helping him was well pleasing to God. This should be our ultimate test whether what we are doing is well pleasing to God or not. Verse nineteen continues, But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Paul said that just as God had provided for his needs partly by their help, that his God, the only true God, would provide for their needs as well. We should never refuse to help others, especially our fellow Christians, because we are afraid that we cannot afford to do so if God is directing us to do it. Verse twenty states, Now unto God and our Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen. Paul asked that everything that they or he did be done for the glory of God, and this should be our desire today as followers of Christ. Verse twenty-one adds, Salute every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren which are with me greet you. Paul begins the close of his letter by asking them to salute, or show respect to, all the believers in Christ that they knew or met. He also said that those with him saluted the believers at Philippi as well. We should have a mutual respect for all Christians. Verse twenty-two continues, All the saints salute you, chiefly they that are of Caesar’s household. Paul said all the saints, especially those of the household of Caesar, saluted them. Saints were not some group of super Christians but were simply those who had put their faith in Jesus Christ. We are all a part of the priesthood of believers as followers of Christ and we should support and respect one another. Verse twenty-three concludes, The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. It was written to the Philippians from Rome by Epaphroditus. Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account. Paul asked that the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, both theirs and his, be with them. We definitely need that grace in our lives today.
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