May
the mumbling commence!
Am
I joyful? Are you joyful? Should we be joyful? Does joy depend upon circumstance? Where does joy rightly come from? These questions are related to one
another. Let’s turn to the fourth chapter
of Apostle Paul’s letter to the Philippians (Phillips Translation):
It
has been a great joy to me that after all this time you have shown such
interest in my welfare. I don’t mean
that you had forgotten me, but up till now you had no opportunity of expressing
your concern. Nor do I mean that I have
been in actual need, for I have learned to be content, whatever the circumstances
may be. I now know how to
live when things are difficult and I know how to live when things are
prosperous. In general and in particular I have learned
the secret of facing either plenty or poverty. I am
ready for anything through the strength of the one who lives within me. Nevertheless
I am not disparaging the way in which you were willing to share my
troubles. You Philippians will remember
that in the early days of the gospel when I left Macedonia, you were the only
church who shared with me the fellowship of giving and receiving. Even in Thessalonica you twice sent me help
when I was in need. It isn’t the value
of the gift that I am keen on; it is the reward that will come to you because
of these gifts that you have made.
Now
I have everything I want – in fact I am rich.
Yes, I
am quite content, thanks to your gifts received through Epaphroditus. Your generosity
is like a lovely fragrance, a sacrifice that pleases the very heart of God. My God will supply all that you need from his
glorious resources in Christ Jesus. And may
glory be to our God and our Father for ever and ever, amen! (Verses 10-20)
Joy
and contentment are not based on circumstance.
There is a secret to tackling either plenty or poverty. That secret is knowing what our true source
of joy is. Our true source of joy is the
inner strength that we have through the working of the Holy Spirit living
inside us… the Spirit of Christ living within us. With this Spirit of joy living within us, we
are indeed ready for anything!
And,
when we are ready for anything, then we are empowered to give to others
generously. Generosity is the smell of
mission. It is a pleasing aroma of
sacrifice that reaches the very heart of God.
Generosity is chasing after God’s heart.
Generosity
and joy feed upon one another and grow exponentially. As we get caught up in the joy of Jesus
through our generosity, we will find that we can never out-give God.
And
all of these things are for the glory of God the Father yesterday, today and
forever.
Enough
mumbling for now…
Peace
Out
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