The Secret of Contentment (Php. 4:10-23)

Michiana Covenant Presbyterian Church

A pastor friend of mine was visiting in a church in a culture of honor. After the service they had to stack the chairs, so as they were talking, he began to help. The church had a couple of young associate pastors, as soon as the visiting pastor stacked a chair, they stacked two chairs for every chair he stacked. He was busy talking with the senior pastor and didn't notice how quickly the associate pastors were working. Finally the senior pastor pulled him away and explained – "If you keep stacking chairs you will create a disaster, because everyone else will see the associate pastors stacking chairs, and then they will feel obligated to do even more."Paul understands that culture of honor – and so he has to figure out how to thank the Philippians for their gift without creating a sense of further obligation!In Paul's context, if he simply says "thank you for the gift" – then the Philippians will hear – "please send another one!" And that's not what he wants to say...