Jump Start # 3174

Philippians 4:15 “And you yourselves also know, Philippians, that at the first preaching of the gospel, after I departed from Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving but you alone.”

In my office at the church building stands a very old pulpit. It looks old and it is old. Best that we can gather is that it was one of the first pulpits used by this congregation, likely around 1914. Was it new then, no one seems to know. Some were going to toss it, but I’m a pack rat when it comes to saving old things. Inside this pulpit has become a treasure chest of items given to me through the years that pertain to the history of this congregation. I have bulletins from the 1950’s. I have old photos. I have dozens of different directories through the years. I have some financial ledgers. The insides of this old pulpit is stuffed with the history of this congregation. I now have been given another special item to add to this wonderful collection. Two small wicker baskets, believed to have been the original collection plates in this congregation were donated to my stash of items. The baskets are small, but so were the contributions back then.

As I looked at those wicker baskets many thoughts came to my mind. I wonder how many wonderful preachers were helped through the years by the monies collected in those small baskets. Very likely, the men that stood behind that old wood pulpit in my office, were given money out of those wicker baskets. It’s like two old friends being reunited again after all those years. The old pulpit and the old baskets, back together again.

I also wondered how many hard working men and women put what they could into those wicker baskets hoping that the congregation would continue to grow and continue on through the decades. That little house where this congregation started in 1913, moved to a frame building, then to a large Bedford stone structure for half a century. Today, the congregation meets in a different location, in a massive building but it was the love and generous contributions a long, long time ago that opened the doors for where we are today. Those early folks of this congregation would never dream of a congregation the size and a building like we have today. And, as we give each Sunday, it’s with that love for the kingdom and that desire to keep things going that compels us to give as we do.

Our verse today comes from a thankful Paul who was reaching out to the Philippians for helping him. No one else did. His travels were not funded by some organization. He didn’t have sponsors that allowed him to travel freely. There was no one to turn expenses in. There were times when the apostle made tents. There were times when he went hungry. Many of the first Christians were poor. Many were servants and slaves. And what the Philippians had, they gave to help Paul. It made a difference. He was so thankful.

And, through the years, our contributions to our congregations have allowed the Gospel to be spread worldwide. Podcasts, blogs, class material, mics, lights, air conditioning all have to be paid somehow. Bringing in guest speakers, helping needy brethren, pushing the message out, costs. It’s the generous hearts that have made all of this possible.

I wonder what little boys might have dropped a penny into those baskets long ago. And, those same boys, grew up and they preached God’s word or went on to serve as shepherds of this very congregation. I would love to have a display case to put these old items in. There just isn’t much room to do that. Knowing the history, the sacrifices and the love that fueled a congregation is something that every member out to know about their own place. Most congregations have had some ups and downs. There were some bright moments and some sad days. But those that endured, have done so because of sacrifice, dedication and love.

In those early 1920’s, there may have been more pennies and nickels than anything else. As the depression years hit, congregations were hurting financially. Times were tough. Paying a preacher a chicken is about all that some could do. And, that poor preacher was glad to have that chicken because he could feed his family.

Today, it’s checks and electronic giving. The costs of buildings, the salary of preachers, and the upkeep expenses would shock those long ago wicker basket brethren. But the principle remains the same. We give because we love the Lord. We give because we want the doors to stay open. We give because we want the kingdom to expand. We give because we want to put the devil on notice. We give because the Lord first gave to us. God gave the best of Heaven, Jesus Christ. We can never match that gift. We can never thank the Lord enough for that gift.

Two old wicker baskets. They tell a story. They are a reminder of our past. They are a reminder of the love of others who are now on the other side. I’m so glad to have those baskets.

Roger

Jump Start # 1608

Philippians 4:15 “You yourselves also know, Philippians, that at the first preaching of the gospel, after I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving but you alone”

  Our verse today is interesting for several reasons. First, it shows that N.T. pattern that a church sent money directly to the preacher. In this case, it was Paul. The money was NOT sent to another church, and then to Paul. The money wasn’t sent to some organization which made decisions who would get what and how much. This was a choice of the Philippian church. They sent their money to Paul. He received what they sent. This is exactly what they wanted done. Paul got it. There was no middle man taking his cut. There was no money that went to some general fund and from that a portion was sent to Paul. One church decided that they wanted to help Paul, and they did. This is the way it ought to be done. Far too many times, others get involved. Things get messy. It doesn’t look like what happened here. This is so easy and so simply. Just do what the Philippians did.

Secondly, we notice that no one else helped Paul but the Philippians. He says, “No church shared with me…but you.” Were there other churches? Certainly. Why did they not help out? Didn’t have any money? Didn’t see the importance? Who knows. Later on, when Paul is in Rome and is tried by Caesar, he states that no one stood with me. They all deserted him.

It’s a cold feeling when others let you down. This is especially true when fellow Christians let you down. This is all it takes for some to quit. They get so disappointed with what others have done that they will give up the journey. They throw in the towel. They are done. You’ll notice Paul didn’t do that. No church but the Philippians came through. He doesn’t quit. He doesn’t give up.

Sometimes we can be let down by the person we are married to. We can feel that the marriage has become one sided. I’ve heard some even say, “It seems that I am the only one that cares about this marriage.” This may be the words of a wife whose husband comes home and buries himself in front of the TV each evening until it is bed time. The kids need him, but that isn’t happening. There are things he could do around the house to help out. But he doesn’t. He works and he watches TV.

Sometimes we can be let down by our church family. Maybe there has been some problems, a crisis and you had to endure it alone. Maybe you longed for spiritual fellowship, but you were excluded. Maybe you were hungry for some depth and teachings, but no one stepped up to help you. You come to worship, but you feel alone in a crowd. It seems that no one is interested in you. It seems that you are invisible and people see right past you. Being let down by your church family is hard to deal with. It’s hard to continue on when that happens. It’s enough for some to say, “I’m done.”

When we read about Paul’s trial before Caesar and the mention of everyone deserting him, he reminds us that the Lord stood with him and strengthened him. The Lord will not desert you. The Lord will not leave you. The Lord will not let you down. Others may forsake you, but the Lord won’t. Don’t quit the Lord because of what others have done. Don’t take your disappointment in others out on the Lord. Paul stayed with the Lord, until the very end. He finished. He kept. He fought. Even though other churches didn’t come through for him. Even though other Christians didn’t do as they ought to do.

Far too many times we get all worked up about how others have treated or mistreated us. We can’t move past those things. We dwell on what others have failed to do. We talk and talk about it. We can put far too much attention and concern about how we are treated rather than how the Lord is being honored and obeyed.

There is a wonderful third lesson found in our verse today. Those amazing Philippians. They came through. They delivered. They were there for Paul. No other churches BUT the Philippians. Thank you, Philippians. What they did made a difference. What they did was recognized by Heaven and greatly appreciated by Paul. What they did was amazing. Now, do you see a lesson here? Do we praise the Philippians in our lives or are we only seeing the churches that did nothing? Elijah had this problem. He thought he was the only one who was doing right. He never saw the thousands, not dozens, not hundreds, but thousands, who had not bowed to Baal. Why did he not know about them? Why did he not see them? Could it be that he only saw the churches that did nothing rather than the Philippians that did what they could?

We can feel the same way about our homes. Maybe we don’t see the teenager who is helping out. We can feel this way about our church family. Maybe we don’t see the family that is doing what they can. Maybe we don’t see the deacon who comes down to the church house on a Saturday morning to do what he can. It is so easy to focus upon the churches that don’t do anything, rather than the Philippians who did what they could.

I guess this is nothing more than the “half empty or half full” principle. Complaining about what others are not doing can blind us to what some are doing. We can paint with a broad brush the gloom and doom picture. A teenager sleeps during services. We can think all the teenagers are weak. Someone forgets their class book and we can declare that no one is interested. That broad brush of generalization often points the finger at people who are innocent and more than that, people who are trying.

Have you been let down by others? You can spend the rest of your life reliving that sad memory over and over, or, you can be thankful that God has put some Philippians in your life. You have been blessed. God is good to you. God’s people are amazing, talented, and helpful.

The way some talk, I wonder why they even show up at church on Sunday. Nothing is right. Nothing is good. Nothing is working. Instead of dwelling on that, maybe we ought to see what an awesome spiritual family there is. They give a guy a second chance. They love. They care. And even when some fumble the ball, there is always a Philippian here or there that will make a difference.

No church…but the Philippians. Something to think about.

Roger