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OPENING PRAYER
OPENING COMMENTS
The theme for this week is the problem of expectations.
SPEAKING OF LIFE
PROGRAM TRANSCRIPT +
SERMON REVIEW
Giving It All Away
Philippians 2:1-13 (NRSVUE)
You may have heard of “The Giving Pledge,” a philanthropic organization set up by Bill and Melinda Gates and Warren Buffet that invited billionaires to commit to giving away the majority of their wealth either during their lifetime or in their wills. While Gates and Buffett have given away billions, they still have plenty left. However, back in 1984, long before The Giving Pledge, one billionaire made it his goal to die broke. His name is Chuck Feeney.
Born in New Jersey to Irish American parents, Feeney started earning his billions in 1960, when he co-founded the retail shop Duty Free Shoppers located in many airports. He lived a frugal life and developed the concept of “Giving While Living,” donating in a significant way to charitable causes to see the positive impact while alive. Over a forty-year period, Feeney was able to donate anonymously more than $8 billion through his foundation, The Atlantic Philanthropies. Forbes magazine called him “the James Bond of Philanthropy.” Though he set aside $2 million in retirement funds for he and his wife Helga, he gave away 375,000% more than his net worth. In 2020, Atlantic Philanthropies closed, its mission complete. Now 92, Feeney lives with his wife in a two-bedroom apartment in San Francisco that has been described as similar in size to a “freshman dorm room.”
We rarely see this kind of intentional generosity among human beings unless we consider the example of Jesus. Intentional generosity and a willingness to give it all away characterized Jesus’ life on earth. This way of living doesn’t happen naturally for most people, but as Paul points out in our sermon text, Jesus lived an abundant generosity of spirit that often brought him into conflict with the religious authorities of his day. Let’s read Philippians 2:1-13 to figure out why.
If, then, there is any comfort in Christ, any consolation from love, any partnership in the Spirit, any tender affection and sympathy, 2 make my joy complete: be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or empty conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not to your own interests but to the interests of others. 5 Let the same mind be in you that was[a] in Christ Jesus,
6 who, though he existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be grasped,
7 but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, assuming human likeness.
And being found in appearance as a human,
8 he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death — even death on a cross.
9 Therefore God exalted him even more highly and gave him the name that is above every other name, 10 so that at the name given to Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
12 Therefore, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed me, not only in my presence but much more now in my absence, work on your own salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who is at work in you, enabling you both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
Context
The “Christ Hymn” found in Philippians 2:5-11 is a favorite among believers because it reminds us of Jesus’ willingness to be one of us to the point of death on the cross, as well as giving us the promise for eternity held by his resurrection. Today’s Revised Common Lectionary reading, however, provides us the larger context the Christ Hymn appears in.
Paul encourages believers to embrace the mind of Christ:
Make my joy complete: be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. (Philippians 2:2, NRSVUE)
From there, Paul indicates that this mindset is humble and concerned for others’ wellbeing:
Do nothing from selfish ambition or empty conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. Let each of you look not to your own interests but to the interests of others. (Philippians 2:3-4, NRSVUE)
Paul is persuading the Philippians that Jesus provides a pattern for us to follow in the way we think about ourselves and others, and then he demonstrates how that affects the way we live our lives. He shows how humility influences our ability to achieve unity.
Humility Defined by Jesus
It’s unfortunate that religion has turned into a quest for personal moral perfection, one that often aligns itself with capitalistic goals of success and wealth. For Jesus, success was found in letting go – letting go of his status as God, and letting go of the cultural norms and expectations that hurt people. Jesus embraced a “spirituality of descent,” as explained by American priest and author Richard Rohr:
Spirituality is about honoring the human journey, loving it, and living it in all its wonder and tragedy. There is nothing really ‘supernatural’ about love and suffering. It is completely natural, taking us through the deep interplay of death and life, surrender and forgiveness … Authentic Christianity … shows us how to give away our life, how to give away our love, and eventually how to give away our death. Basically, how to give away – and in doing so, to connect with the world, with all other creatures, and with God. (The Universal Christ, 216-217).
Not only did Jesus let go of his divine status as the Son of God to become human, but Jesus’ “giving away” culminated in his death on the cross:
Who, though he existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, assuming human likeness. And being found in appearance as a human, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death — even death on a cross. (Philippians 2:6-8, NRSVUE)
Though most (if not all) of us will not face death on a cross like Jesus, we are called to die daily to the self, the egoic part of us that breeds “selfish ambition or empty conceit” (Philippians 2:3). This daily dying to self is not asceticism or abandoning all joy in God-given human activities. For example, Jesus was called a glutton and a drunkard (Matthew 11:19). Also, keep in mind that Jesus exhibited an abundant intentional generosity with everyone he met, but especially those who suffered under cultural oppression, such as the sick, women, and children. Theologian, author, and Episcopal priest Cynthia Bourgeault describes Jesus as possessing a “messy, freewheeling largeness” of spirit:
Abundance and a generosity bordering on extravagant seemed to be the signatures of both his teaching and his personal style … As we look further, that extravagance is everywhere. When he feeds the multitudes at the Sea of Galilee, there is not merely enough to go around; the leftovers fill twelve baskets. (The Wisdom Jesus: Transforming Heart and Mind, 69-70)
We can consider other recorded statements from Jesus that mirror this extravagant generosity:
Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. (Luke 12:32 NRSVUE)
Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap; for the measure you give will be the measure you get back. (Luke 6:38 NRSVUE)
This abundant intentional generosity, which Jesus defined as “the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6), is an expression of humility that conveys the heart of God. American Christian historian Diana Butler Bass says that
“Jesus uses these terms to explain how he embodies a way of being in this world [that is] so close to the heart of God that God can be known in and through Jesus” (Freeing Jesus, 165-168)
Butler Bass goes on to explain that “the way, the truth, and the life” are relational words, Jesus’ method of interacting in the world. These words are not maps, techniques, philosophies, or dogma. Instead, they reflect humility as an expression of Divine Love. Understanding how to live loved and loving in an intentionally extravagant way is key to the next part of Paul’s pattern: achieving unity.
Unity Fueled by Humility and Grounded in Love
Because how we think impacts the way we live, it’s important to begin from a position of humility that comes from a generous love. Philippians 2:5 encourages believers to have the same embodied way of moving in the world as Jesus did:
Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 2:5 NRSVUE)
That mindset of Christ involved giving himself fully into life and death, but in our case, this mindset is not something we “work up” on our own. Paul’s wording of verse 12 can be confusing if the proper context is not understood:
Therefore, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed me, not only in my presence but much more now in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. (Philippians 2:12)
Some might think that the wording “work out your own salvation” implies we have to earn our righteousness or salvation. But if we remember the context of Philippians 2:1-13, Paul is discussing the connection between humble, abundant, loving generosity and unity. Paul wants believers to recognize that unity is only possible if they embrace the humility and extravagant love Jesus showed others and then express it themselves. Also, let’s note the word we translate as “work” in verse 12 is from the Greek word katergazomai which implies “finish” or “fashion.” In verse 13, he establishes that this extravagant love originates with God and flows to us and through us:
For it is God who is at work in you, enabling you both to will and to work for his good pleasure. (Philippians 2:13 NRSVUE)
Without God working in us and through us, achieving unity with others through humble, generous love isn’t possible. Rather than letting selfish ambition or conceit drive us, we can think about Jesus’ pattern and way of living embodied in the world. We also can reflect on Chuck Feeney’s words: “Our giving is based on the opportunities, not a plan to stay in business for a long time.” Let’s consider the opportunities we have each day to live generously, extravagantly, and lovingly with others.
Call to Action: This week, take some time to praise God for the love and humility Jesus showed us. As we look for ways to love others as Jesus loves, look for the chance to treat yourself and others with extravagant generosity. Though we’re quick to think this involves money, consider also the extravagant generosity of allowing yourself to rest when tired or giving someone a kind word when they’ve messed up or are discouraged. Give thanks to God for the grace lavished on you.
Small Group Discussion
Philippians 2:1-13 (NRSVue)
If, then, there is any comfort in Christ, any consolation from love, any partnership in the Spirit, any tender affection and sympathy, 2 make my joy complete: be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or empty conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not to your own interests but to the interests of others. 5 Let the same mind be in you that was[a] in Christ Jesus,
6 who, though he existed in the form of God,
did not regard equality with God
as something to be grasped,
7 but emptied himself,
taking the form of a slave,
assuming human likeness.
And being found in appearance as a human,
8 He humbled Himself
and became obedient to the point of death —
even death on a cross.
9 Therefore God exalted Him even more highly
and gave him the name
that is above every other name,
10 so that at the name given to Jesus
every knee should bend,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue should confess
that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
12 Therefore, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed me, not only in my presence but much more now in my absence, work on your own salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who is at work in you, enabling you both to will and to work for his good pleasure.