PHILIPPIANS 4:10-19

1. WHEN WE GIVE IN FAITH, GOD'S WORK GETS DONE:
1. Paul spoke of the Philippians giving to meet his needs as he preached the Gospel to them and then to other parts of Macedonia. God was working through the Philippians to enable Paul to perform his mission: spreading the Gospel. God works through us, too, when we give in faith:
1. The gospel is sent to parts of the world to which we cannot go. Through Faith Promise giving missionaries in various parts of the world are accomplishing God's work - and because of our giving, God's work gets done.
2. The needs of many are met. Giving to the Gospel Mission meets some particular needs; our benevolent funds meet some needs; youth groups meet needs; our worship services meet needs; and when we give in faith we support those works and God's work gets done.
3. Bible colleges we support train workers for various ministries. Supporting them helps get God's work done.
2. This congregation is dedicated to doing God's work. Sometimes that's done locally; sometimes more globally; sometimes on a fairly large scale, and sometimes in smaller ways. But when you give you are helping God's work to get done.
3. Remember that money needs to be released to be useful. Think of it like this: salt in a shaker or other container doesn't do any good; it doesn't flavor food; it doesn't melt ice on a sidewalk; it just sits there being salt. You have to pour it out to make it do what it is intended to do. Just so, money must be put in circulation to do any good. I could have $1,000.00 in my billfold and starve to death or run around half naked because I haven't used the resource to buy food or clothing. You have to put it into circulation to make it do what it is intended to do. No how much you have, burying it does no one any good.
4. One little girl gave in faith and furthered God's work. Her name was Hattie Wyatt. She went to Sunday School and was told there was no room for her; the classes were full. Hattie went home and began saving pennies. She became seriously ill and died. Under her pillow they found 57 pennies and a note that said, "These pennies are to help buld a bigger Sunday School so little girls won't be turned away." Those 57 pennies struck the heart chords of many who heard the story - and those 57 pennies grew into thousands of dollars - and a bigger Sunday School was built. God's work was accomplished by this little girl's faithful giving.

When we give in faith, God's work gets done.

2. WHEN WE GIVE IN FAITH, OUR WEALTH IN HEAVEN INCREASES:
1. We are often so earth oriented, so focused on what we have here, that we forget what God says about wealth in heaven.
1. For one thing, our giving should not be ostentatious or to draw attention to ourselves. Jesus said, "Give your gifts in secret, and your Father, Who knows all secrets, will reward you." Matthew 6:4 (NLT).
2. "Don't store up treasures here on earth, where they can be eaten by moths and get rusty, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where they will never become moth-eaten or rusty and where they will be safe from thieves. Wherever your treasure is, there your heart and thoughts will also be." Matthew 6:19-21 (NLT). That works both ways; where our treasure is our hearts and thoughts will be and where our hearts and thoughts are our treasure will be.
3. Jesus tells how to lay up treasures in heaven. He said to the rich man who inquired about eternal life, "You lack only one thing. Go and sell all you have and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me." The man's face fell, and he went sadly away because he had many possessions." Mark 10:22 (NLT). And his many possessions had him, depriving him of wealth in heaven.
4. Paul explains it like this, "Tell those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which will soon be gone. But their trust should be in the living God, Who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment. Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and should give generously to those in need, always being ready to share with others whatever God has given them. By doing this they will be storing up their treasure as a good foundation for the future so that they may take hold of real life." 1 Timothy 6:17-19 (NLT).
2. Wealth in heaven is directly connected to sharing wealth on earth. Giving to good purposes increases our stock in eternity. And you can trust that it will be there for you when you get there. We were investing in mutual funds and the broker was not astute. We lost $100,000 of our retirement. But what we invest in God's work will never be lost.
3. Some want to give what doesn't cost them much; but little invested means little stored up. Some want to give the left-overs of their wealth, but they not only deprive God's work, they deprive themselves of eternal wealth.
4. One old man was well known for his giving to the Lord's work. A friend said, "Henry, you know that you barely have enough to live on. How can you afford to give so much to the church? You are doing without a lot of necessities." Henry smiled and said, "Couple it to heaven, my friend, couple it to heaven." He knew where his wealth was because he put his heart there.

When we give in faith, our wealth in heaven increases.

3. WHEN WE GIVE IN FAITH, GOD IS PLEASED:
1. Note what Paul said about the offering of the Philippians. They gave to him to help him in his work, but Paul said of their offerings, "They are a sweet-smelling sacrifice that is acceptable to God and pleases him." That parallels, "Don't forget to do good and to share what you have with those in need, for such sacrifices are very pleasing to God." Hebrews 13:16 (NLT)
2. Now, how many of you want to please God? We would all one day like to hear Him say, "'Well done, My good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let's celebrate together!'" Matthew 25:21 (NLT) .
3. If we love someone we want to please them just for the sheer joy of pleasing them. A Some give their money grudgingly and others give with a grim sense of duty and some do it pragmatically just to keep the bills paid. But God wants our giving to reflect of our love for Him and our desire to please Him. No repayment considered; nothing that we are trying to gain; no ulterior motives; no hidden agenda. Just giving to please Him. Let me illustrate: The other day Tommy knew I was really tired. He came up to me and said, "Grandpa, would you like a cup of tea?" And at my assent, he went out and brewed me the best cup of Green Tea. He did it to please me - and you know it did please me. I hope that pleased him, too.
4. One lady called the Butter Ball turkey company and said "I have this turkey that has been in the freezer for 23 years. Is it still good?" They cautiously replied,"If you are absolutely certain that the temperature never got above zero it might be okay; but the meat is probably deteriorated and wont taste good." She said, "Well, that's what I thought. We'll just give it to the church." That kind of silly giving, giving what we don't want for ourselves, doesn't please God. Was God pleased? Do Polar Bears live like to eat seals?

When we give in faith, God is pleased.

4. WHEN WE GIVE IN FAITH, GOD PROVIDES FOR OUR NEEDS:
1. There are certain needs God provides for everybody. But His promise to provide all our needs is reserved for those who have faith.
2. Note that Paul talks about needs, not just any old thing our heart desires. And note that Paul says that God will provide according to His riches - not according to the riches of some pauper like Donald Trump or Bill Gates.
3. You may think, "But my needs are not being met!"
1. Perhaps you are confusing wants with needs.
2. Perhaps it is not God's time to meet that need yet.
3. Perhaps God has or is meeting your need and you haven't recognized it yet.
4. Or, please forgive my bluntness, perhaps you are not meeting the criteria of faith and obedience requisite to God acting.
5. Perhaps you are saying, "When God provides, I'll give, I promise." God says, "When you give, I'll provide, I promise."
4. When our daughter, Keri, was small, Marlene was getting dinner on the table. She put a baked potato on my plate, and John's plate and her plate. Keri said, "I want a baked potato, too!" Marlene said, "Keri, do you think I'd give everybody a baked potato and not give you one, too?" Sometimes we feel left out - but maybe it's because we are leaving God out of our finances and faith. Give and it will be given to you - you have God's word on that; and He won't give everybody else their needs and not meet yours, too!

One thing is sure, you will never out-give God. And when you surrender your life: your will, your affections, your purposes, your money to God, great things happen. Your life will be changed. God will be glorified. And you will have your socks blessed off - or on, if you don't have socks. God will not go back on His word. Take the first step of surrender to Jesus Christ as Lord of all your life. Trust Him, and obey Him and find out what happens next.

Hattie Wyatt from Knight book of illustrations; Turkey from sermon in Take God At His Word: Expect A Harvest