In the final section of Paul’s letter to the Philippians, he thanks them

for their generosity in supporting him financially. However he is at pains

to show he’s more appreciative of the friendship and partnership in the

gospel that their generosity reveals than he is with the money they have

given. This is because, in God’s kingdom, people are more important than

things. The gospel is more important than money. To have our priorities

correctly aligned like this requires learning to be content in all

circumstances. In particular it requires contentment in relation to money.

We live free from the enslaving power of money when learn to treat it as

Jesus taught - something not to be worshipped, nor fled from, but to be

mastered and held lightly. Generosity, discipline and learning to give

money away is one of the best ways to set ourselves free. At the end of

this talk we consider why and how all of us, as integral parts of the

church, can financially support the work of bread.

By Ed Flint