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FINANCIAL GRACE
Marilyn Prettyman
I have learned
A couple months ago, after being impressed for several days by the Holy Spirit, I turned to Philippians 4. For many years I would read this chapter, ask the Lord questions about it, make notes in the margin of my Bible, and confess and stand on the promises. However, to be honest, I hadn't read this chapter for sometime because there are things in it that I just wasn't understanding and I began to feel like, "What's the use?" I know that Philippians 4 is God's Word and it is truth, but I just wasn't seeing it and getting hold of it. I wasn't understanding what I felt needed to be understood. But as I read this chapter on this day, the Lord began to reveal truth that had previously been hidden from my eyes. It was as if He pulled back a veil and enlightened my understanding to the truth I had been searching for. The things I was now seeing excited and blessed me, and I knew then there is the need for these truths to be taught, but I did not know how or by whom. A couple of weeks ago, my brother, Richard, began to encourage me to spend more time writing and sharing the things the Lord has put in my heart. I told him I do have something but I don't know how, what or when to put it out there. Last night, however, I received direction and knew that it was now time to share with you the things the Lord was showing me.
As I said, Philippians 4 is something I have given much time to, but verses 10-19 had always left me with many unanswered questions. However, like Paul, I believe I can now confidently say, "I have learned" (vs. 11). What I have learned begins in verse 10 where we see Paul rejoicing. He was rejoicing because he had just received much needed provisions from the Philippians. He always knew that he was loved by the Christians at Philippi, but, and let's all be honest, it is wonderful to receive that love and care in tangible ways, especially when there are pressing needs. Paul was no stranger to physical needs. In verse 14 he spoke of being in "distress." In other words, he had times of extreme need. But then he tells the Philippians that what he is about to share with them has nothing to do with his needs, but has everything to do with and for their benefit. In verse 17 he says, "Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account." I have learned there is tremendous freedom and liberty within having our focus turn from our own welfare and allowing it to become fixated upon what is best for others. Of course, Paul was very glad to have received the needed provisions from the Philippians, and he did rejoice over their gift to him. He plainly told them that they had done well to have shared in his distress (vs. 14). But, it is clear that his priority was for their welfare. He had learned that their giving to him was beneficial to them. Paul was the one who also wrote to Titus, and it was there that he spoke of what Believers are to do and why they are to do it. In Titus 3:14 he said, "And let our people also learn to maintain good works, to meet urgent needs, that they may not be unfruitful." As Believers, we are to produce fruit, and one way of doing that is giving to meet the needs of others. The Philippians knew Paul had needs and they gave to supply those needs. In fact, in verses 15-16, Paul commends and praises the Philippians because from the beginning of their acquaintance with the Gospel, they shared with him in the matter of giving and receiving. Paul was continuously giving to them what he had - the teachings of spiritual truths - and the Philippians received it. In turn, they gave to Paul what they had - financial provision - and he received from them. Paul never stopped giving to them and they never stopped giving back to him. In verse 16 Paul said, "You sent me aid again and again when I was in need."
From these verses in Philippians 4, it is more than obvious there are many needs that rise up again and again when your whole life is wrapped up in preaching the Gospel. And as Paul said, he often was in distress with extreme needs. A question this always left me with was one that asked, "How could Paul stay focused on what was good and beneficial for others and not become consumed with his own needs?" As I sat before the Lord and asked Him to teach me, I saw that Paul said two times, "I have learned." What did he learn? Verse 11 tells us that he "learned to be content." Being "content" does not mean to be satisfied with being hungry, needful and living in humbling conditions. It means to be satisfied to the point that I am not disturbed or disquieted because of those conditions. Let me tell you, it is life-changing when we learn not to become disturbed and disquieted, even when the needs are weighed down with distress. But the question is, "How do we do this?" From Galatians 2:20 we see that Paul learned, "...it is no longer I who lives, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God..." From this I have learned that living by faith in the Son of God has everything to do with giving and receiving and everything to do with being content.
One afternoon as I was studying these truths, I was able to see that if everyone would do their part, then everyone's needs would be provided for. It is so easy to see that Paul did his part by teaching the truths of grace, and the Philippians did their part by supplying Paul with needed provisions. It was this giving and receiving by both parties that everyone's needs were supplied. Shortly thereafter, a ministry called and talked about their needs. As I listened, I knew we were two months behind in our mortgage and many other things as well. But as I listened to them, I also heard in my own spirit, "if everyone would do their part." With that, I made a financial pledge to that ministry and those it serves. Because I have learned to be content and not to be disturbed and disquieted, I was happy to do this by faith in the Son of God. But, it did bring up a conversation between me and the Lord. I began telling the Lord that Bob works 50+ hours a week giving to people what is needed to walk and live in the liberty of Jesus Christ, and he has done this without receiving any kind of a paycheck for several months. Many people would probably say that Bob needs to find a job that has a steady income so the bills can be paid. Believe me, Bob has applied for countless jobs in order to bring in finances while still doing all the work of the ministry, but it has all been to no avail. There are not many people who would work and not receive a paycheck. And may I just say, God's Word abounds with the fact that there is to be a paycheck. Hebrews 6:10 says, "God is not unjust to forget your work and love which you have shown toward His Name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister." 1st. Timothy 5:17-18 says, "Let the elders...be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the Word... You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out grain... The laborer is worthy of his wages." The command to "not muzzle the ox" is telling us to not silence the one teaching the Word because of a lack of finances. As I talked with the Father, He dropped into my spirit "Bob is called to do the works of the ministry and people need what I have filled his heart with." To that I said, "Okay Lord. I will trust You and not be disturbed or disquieted."
Last night, I believe the Lord directed me to close this teaching with something similar to what Paul instructed in First Corinthians 16. Paul said, "Every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income..." If everyone who receives from this ministry would set something aside and make it an offering to this ministry, then together we would be sharing in giving and receiving and together all of our needs would be supplied according to God's riches in glory by Christ Jesus" (vs. 19). To those of you who already take part in the matter of giving and receiving with this ministry, we thank you and rejoice in your love and faithfulness. You doing your part means more to us than you will ever know. It not only supplies our necessities, but it also says you appreciate the Word supplied to you and to others and let's us know that you love us.
The love of God, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you,
Marilyn
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