+I. The extent of a Christian's ability.+--1. _He is able to
discharge every duty._ 2. _He is able to endure every trial._ 3. _He
is able to brave every suffering._ 4. _He is able to overcome every
temptation._
+II. The source of the Christian's ability.+--1. _Christ strengthens
us by His teachings._ 2. _Christ strengthens us by His example._
3. _Christ strengthens us by the moral influence of His death as a
sacrifice for our sin._ 4. _Christ strengthens us by uniting us to
Himself, and bestowing on us, in answer to the prayer of faith, the
influences of the Holy Spirit._ Christ is the fountain of spiritual
strength.--_G. Brooks._
_MAIN HOMILETICS OF THE PARAGRAPH.--Verses_ 15-19.
_A Generous Church_--
+I. Spontaneously contributing to the earliest efforts in the
propagation of the Gospel.+--1. _Its generosity conspicuous by its
solitary example._ "No Church communicated with me as concerning
giving and receiving, but ye only" (ver. 15). In the account between
us, the giving was on your part, the receiving on mine. The
Philippians had followed Paul with their bounty when he left
Macedonia and came to Corinth. We are not to wait for others in a
good work, saying, "I will do when others do it." We must go forward
though alone (_Fausset_). Their liberality followed him on distant
missionary tours, and when no longer in their own province. One
single example of generosity is an inspiration and a hint to others.
Any Church will wither into narrowing dimensions when it confines its
benefactions to itself.
2. _Its generosity was repeated._--"For even in Thessalonica ye sent
once and again unto my necessity" (ver. 16). Even in Thessalonica,
still in their own province and not far from Philippi, they more than
once contributed to his help, and thus rendered him less dependent on
those among whom he was breaking new ground. Help in time of need is
a pleasant memory; and the apostle delights in reminding the
Philippians of their timely and thoughtful generosity. Repeated
kindnesses should increase our gratitude.
+II. The gifts of a generous Church are appreciated as indicating
growth in practical religion.+--"Not because I desire a gift; but I
desire fruit that may abound to your account" (ver. 17). It is not
the gift he covets, but that rich spiritual blessing which the gift
secures to its donors. The apostle wished them to reap the growing
spiritual interest of their generous expenditure. Not for his own
sake but theirs does he desire the gift. He knew that the state of
mind which devised and contributed such a gift was blessed in itself,
that it must attract Divine blessing, for it indicated the depth and
amount of spiritual good which the apostle had done to them, and for
which they thus expressed their gratitude; and it showed their
sympathy with the cause of Christ, when they had sought to enable
their spiritual founder in former days to give his whole time,
without distraction or physical exhaustion, to the work of his
apostleship. This was a spiritual condition which could not but meet
with the Divine approbation and secure the Divine reward (_Eadie_).
+III. The gifts of a generous Church are accepted as a sacrifice well
pleasing to God.+--"Having received of Epaphroditus the things which
were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice
acceptable, well-pleasing to God" (ver. 18). It was a gift in which
God delighted, fragrant as the sweet-smelling incense which burned in
the censer. It was felt that God is supreme Benefactor and that all
possessions are His gracious gift, that these have an end beyond the
mere personal enjoyment of them, that they may and ought to be
employed in God's service, and that the spirit of such employment is
the entire dedication of these to Him. The money, while contributed
to the apostle, was offered to God. They discharged a spiritual
function in doing a secular act--"the altar sanctified the gift"
(_Ibid._). Giving to the cause of Christ is worship, acceptable and
well-pleasing to God. It belongs to the same class of acts as the
presentation of sacrifices under the old economy, which was the
central act of worship. For the proper use of no talent is
self-denial more needed than for that of money.
+IV. The gifts of a generous Church will be recompensed with abundant
spiritual blessing.+--"But my God shall supply all your need
according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus" (ver. 19). The
money we give to God's cause is well invested and will yield a rich
return: spiritual blessing in return for material gifts; this is
beyond the power of arithmetic to compute. This was no rash and
unwarrantable promise on the part of Paul. He knew something of the
riches of the Divine generosity, and was justified in assuring his
kind benefactors of God's perfect supply of every want of body and
soul, bestowed not grudgingly but with royal beneficence.
+Lessons.+--1. _Gratitude for blessings received should prompt
generosity._ 2. _Money is never more wisely employed than in
forwarding the cause of God._ 3. _Our gifts to God are handsomely
rewarded._
_GERM NOTES ON THE VERSES._