WHY WE GIVE: Philippians 4:17-18


OUTLINE

I. GIVING IS NOT ABOUT THE GIFT AS MUCH AS THE ONE IT IS GIVEN TO—NAMELY, GOD (v. 17a)

II. GIVING PRODUCES HAPPINESS BOTH FOREVER AND NOW (v. 17b)

III. GIVING MUST MAINLY BE FOR THE ADVANCE OF THE GOSPEL AND FOR THOSE IN NEED (v. 18a)

IV. GIVING IS TO BE A SWEET FRAGRANCE TO GOD (v. 18b)

V. GIVING IS TO BE A SACRIFICE TO GOD (v. 18c)

VI. GIVING IS ACCEPTABLE AND PLEASING TO GOD (v. 18d)

DISCUSSION

1. What does Paul not mean in verse 17? What does he mean? How does Matthew 6:20 help clarify?

2. Read verse 18. What were the Philippians gifts to Paul? What were the gifts before God? What do we learn here concerning Christian generosity?

Ekklesia Muskogee is a reformed baptist church that gathers for worship in Muskogee, Oklahoma. We confess the 1689 second London baptist confession of faith. We affirm the five solas of the Reformation as well as the doctrines of grace (otherwise known as the five points of Calvinism), and each of our pastors would not be ashamed to be called a Calvinist. We are a church led by elders, of which there is a plurality (also called pastors and overseers in the Scriptures). Our mission is to make disciples, love cities, and plant churches.