A Pouring Out

The Christian community I have known for better than twenty years has always tossed around verses as slogans. As if you could take Scripture and create a brief bumper sticker that contains all the meaning surrounding a single verse, they gleefully accept a whole suitcase-load of meaning devoid of its original context. Yesterday in Philippians I saw a couple of those slogans unpacked.

From Philippians 4, two favorite verses include 13: "I can do everything through him who gives me strength." and 19: "And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Chist Jesus." These are often used as palliatives that demand nothing of us and merely express that God will place his stamp of approval upon all of our endeavors - and bless them with power and riches. Paul would reel at this kind of catch-phrase theology.

The first three rules of Real Estate are the same as those of proof-texting: "Location, location, location." Located within the entirety of Philippians 4, verse 13 contains a catch. Paul prefaces the "I can do everything" with "I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances." Given Paul's history of walking into the unknown in complete faith, sometimes being well-received, sometimes being flogged and stoned, contentedness follows outpouring. Paul laid his all on the line for his message.

Similarly, verse 19 has an atecedent. The Philippians have provided for Paul on his journeys when no one else would. Given this it is safe to assume they were not in complete poverty and had their needs met to such a degree that they could also supply Paul. So why would Paul then promise that God would "meet all (their) needs?" Clearly, the church's gift to Paul was the precedent to their own provision. As Paul had given his all, so too had the Philippians. Both would receive "contentedness" in their "need" through their sacrificial giving.

We must not deceive ourselves that God will simply bless whatever we put our hand to without the requirement of sacrifice. Neither can we expect to feel blessed, or content, unless we have offered our best. Paul poured out his life for the mystery of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The Philippians poured out their love through material goods to support that mission. God supplied strength and provision. Likewise, we should expect to receive the contentedness and ample supply experienced by Paul and the Philippians only as we offer our all, "a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God."