Philippians 4:15-23 (NRSV) You Philippians indeed know that in the early days of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you alone. 16 For even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me help for my needs more than once. 17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the profit that accumulates to your account. 18 I have been paid in full and have more than enough; I am fully satisfied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. 19 And my God will fully satisfy every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 20 To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.
21 Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The friends who are with me greet you. 22 All the saints greet you, especially those of the emperor’s household. 23 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
We will gather our promises in our worship services on November 9. Though Paul had concerns about the way the Philippians were working together in the Letter to the Philippians, this letter of “joy” is occasioned as well by their gift sent to him in his time of need, in his imprisonment for Christ, through Epaphroditus.
It is interesting to note that the Philippians were the only group in northern Greece (Macedonia) to send him a monetary gift early in his ministry. The Bereans, who searched the scriptures so intensely, and others, go unmentioned. It is easy to take, and to expect something for nothing, even for the Gospel!
Paul points out to the Philippians that God puts a need, a desire, an urge within us to give. We will really be at peace with God when HE moves us to give out of what WE have, with no foolishness about “I know I should give more.” I continue to pray that our giving be motivated only by our new nature, not out of a legalistic necessity or threat. We all know enough about how to look at what comes into our accounts. The Lord motivates our giving to be boisterous, generous, proportionate, and from the top (first-fruits). It is a way to laugh at Satan, the world, and our old sinful nature that cautions us to be careful, hold back, count our chips, look for what we will get out of our giving. It is a way to laugh with the Lord for our joy in spreading the Gospel.
We already have forgiveness of sins, life everlasting, peace with God, and aid in living within our means. Pray fervently that the Lord will guide you to give from what you have, increase your offerings as you see your blessings increase or as you see that you have been holding back, and give thank offerings to Him for His work on this earth, that the Gospel might be spread throughout the world and people will have life everlasting. Paul terms that “profit to our account.” It demonstrates our love for the Lord in action. Our promises to Him are a result of His everlasting promise to us. You will be with Me forever!
Pastor Tom Trapp, Mission Pastor
Walking the Emmaus Road with the Risen Lord
(Originally published in Emmaus Footprints, Vol. XVI, Number 4, November 2014)