Good morning brothers,

So far we have talked a lot about joy and the different things we can be joyful about. There is the joy of suffering, serving, believing, and now we discuss the joy of giving. Now for some conspirators out there that may stumble on this blog, let me be clear about the giving that Paul is referring to. There should never be time when you are “guilted” into giving to any church or ministry. This is why Paul talks about “joyful” giving.

Our hearts, if we allow the Spirit to work in our lives, will see things in a different manner we are normally accustomed to. We read about this in the entire book of Philippians as he joyfully writes to his friends from prison. The idea is when we suffer, we experience joy; when we serve, we experience joy; when we believe… you guessed it, we experience joy. So through our joy experiences, we should also be joyful when giving to others too. In reality, would you want to receive a gift from someone who is unhappy or has been pressured to give to you? Try and imagine in your head that scenario. Talk about uncomfortable! You probably wouldn’t accept the gift (unless it was a really, really nice car or truck.. kidding). 

Think about this, technically, everything you have – your house, money, car, and other resources – all of it comes from God. He blessed you with a job, blessed you with a vehicle to get to the job, blessed you with wisdom and knowledge to perform your best so you can earn money that God wanted you to have. So if all of this is God’s, don’t you think He gave it to you because He trusts you will do what is best with it? 

Believe me, you can read a few postings back that I sometimes struggle with joyful giving. However, I am quickly reminded that I am entrusted with resources that God personally gives me. So yeah, to know that God has given me a mission with some of His resources, no matter if it’s $100 dollars or $100,000 dollars, when I get in this mindset, it’s pretty exciting (joyful) to fulfill God’s mission. After all, it’s my duty.

So my challenge for you this week is to think about the resources God has given you. Try to get in the mindset that He has given you a mission to use His resources the way He wants you to. I think that once you accomplish the mission our creator has given directly to you, you will be pretty excited..or.. joyful too! 

This is the last chapter in Philippians. Thank you to everyone who participated and came back weekly to read and discuss the letter Paul wrote to his friends in Philppi. I’d like to get some feedback from you and maybe some suggestions about which chapter you would like to study next. The forum is open so please do share and invite your friends.

I wish you the best this week and may God bless you in very many ways. Keep your heads up, especially during these trying times, and remember, our lifetime on earth pales in comparison to eternity with Christ and our Heavenly Father! Now that is something to be joyful about. I leave you with this passage:

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admierable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.” Philippians 4: 8

Cheers,

Mark