Philippians 4:10-20

Philippians 4:10-20

But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly

Paul’s gratitude

I.

He acknowledges the gift--rejoicing in the spirit that prompted it; expressing his contentment and confidence in God; confessing the seasonable nature of the supply.

II. He commends the givers for their special and repeated generosity; exemplification of the spirit of Christianity; acceptable sacrifice to God.

III. He assures them of an abundant recompense. God is rich; will supply all their need; by Christ Jesus. (J. Lyth, D. D.)

A grateful heart

I. Sees God in every benevolent action.

II. Rejoices in the Spirit that dictates it.

III. Puts the highest value on the gift. (J. Lyth, D. D.)

Philippian charity and Pauline delicacy

They had revived, he says, or more exactly--for the figure is taken from the beautiful burst of spring--they had, like a tree long bare and frost bound, put forth new sprouts and shoots under the genial influence of God’s rain and sun shine; they had thus sprouted and germinated afresh, after a season of apparent deadness, in their care or thought for him. But no sooner has he written the word than he feels, with that quickness and delicacy of perception which is one of the great charms of his character, that the expression may seem to involve a reproach for the lateness or tardiness of their offering; and therefore he adds instantly, that he knows that they had all along been thinking and caring for him, and had only wanted the opportunity of actually showing and proving it. For this he rejoiced in the Lord. Their kindness had given him a pleasure, not as a man only, but as a Christian. And he goes on to tell them why. (Dean Vaughan.)

Hearing and doing

A brief and simple, but very expressive, eulogy was pronounced by Martin Luther upon a pastor at Zwickaw, in 1522, named Nicholas Hausman. “What we preach,” said the great reformer, “He lives.” A good woman who had been to the house of God was met on her way home by a friend, who asked her if the sermon was done. “No,” she replied, “it is all said; it has got to be done.” (Biblical Treasury.)

Importance of opportunity

Opportunity is like a favouring breeze springing up around a sailing vessel. If the sails be all set, the ship is wafted onward to its port; if the sailors are asleep or ashore, the breeze may die again, and when they would go on they cannot: their vessel stands as idle as a painted ship upon a painted ocean.

Hesitation destructive

The beautiful drosera, or sun dew, lifts its tiny crimson head. The delicate buds are clustered in a raceme, to the summit of which they climb one by one. The topmost bud waits only through twelve hours of a single day to open. If the sun do not shine it withers and droops, and gives way to the next aspirant. So it is with the human heart and its purposes. One by one they come to the point of blossoming. If the warmth of confidence and hope glow in the heart at the right moment, all is well; but the chill of hesitation or delay will wither them at the core. (J. Denton.)