Word@Work Phil54 - Philippians 4:18
Published: Tue, 12/08/09
Word@Work from BeaconLight
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Phil. 4:18 I have received full payment and even more; I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. (NIV)
It is God's nature to provide abundantly. Paul never felt neglected when he had little, but neither is he ungrateful now that his needs are met. We do not know what Epaphroditus brought from Philippi, but Paul wants to make the point that the gift provided even more than he needed, and he is truly thankful. He does not assume that the gifts are a right, the duty of a church towards their apostle; nor does he presume that they will send more: his gratitude overflows.
But Paul is also their pastor. He wanted to teach the church that their present was more special than they may have thought, because their physical gifts to him were also a sacrifice to God. Doubtless, the presents were costly and therefore a sacrifice for the believers; but giving them to the apostle was to give to God Himself. In Matt 10:40-44 Jesus says "He who receives you receives me, and he who receives me receives the one who sent me. Anyone who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet's reward, and anyone who receives a righteous man because he is a righteous man will receive a righteous man's reward. And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward."
God sees beyond even our best intention, to His own purpose in stimulating us to give. He wants us to participate in His reward when we see Him one day. He wants our lives to count now, in blessing others, but to do it for His sake. The nature of that reward is not defined (see Mark 10:29-30), but includes a more-than-adequate provision now and all the blessings of eternal life to come. God sees our sacrifice as a costly offering (the same word is used of the sufferings of Jesus in Eph 5:2) which comes from an obedient heart and is greatly pleasing to the Lord. The Macedonian church was not wealthy, so even more important than Paul's gratitude for the gifts, the Lord accepted them as an offering to Himself. And Hebrews 6:10 says, "God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them." So it is time to ask the Lord to prompt your heart to give!
Prayer: Dear Lord, who has given Yourself for me, please prompt my heart to give out of gratitude to You. May my giving be the means of blessing through Your love, and may others have opportunity to glorify You because I have been obedient to Your call. In the Name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
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You can read the verses around this Bible passage from the Internet Bible: - in English, and many other languages
It is God's nature to provide abundantly. Paul never felt neglected when he had little, but neither is he ungrateful now that his needs are met. We do not know what Epaphroditus brought from Philippi, but Paul wants to make the point that the gift provided even more than he needed, and he is truly thankful. He does not assume that the gifts are a right, the duty of a church towards their apostle; nor does he presume that they will send more: his gratitude overflows.
But Paul is also their pastor. He wanted to teach the church that their present was more special than they may have thought, because their physical gifts to him were also a sacrifice to God. Doubtless, the presents were costly and therefore a sacrifice for the believers; but giving them to the apostle was to give to God Himself. In Matt 10:40-44 Jesus says "He who receives you receives me, and he who receives me receives the one who sent me. Anyone who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet's reward, and anyone who receives a righteous man because he is a righteous man will receive a righteous man's reward. And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward."
God sees beyond even our best intention, to His own purpose in stimulating us to give. He wants us to participate in His reward when we see Him one day. He wants our lives to count now, in blessing others, but to do it for His sake. The nature of that reward is not defined (see Mark 10:29-30), but includes a more-than-adequate provision now and all the blessings of eternal life to come. God sees our sacrifice as a costly offering (the same word is used of the sufferings of Jesus in Eph 5:2) which comes from an obedient heart and is greatly pleasing to the Lord. The Macedonian church was not wealthy, so even more important than Paul's gratitude for the gifts, the Lord accepted them as an offering to Himself. And Hebrews 6:10 says, "God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them." So it is time to ask the Lord to prompt your heart to give!
Prayer: Dear Lord, who has given Yourself for me, please prompt my heart to give out of gratitude to You. May my giving be the means of blessing through Your love, and may others have opportunity to glorify You because I have been obedient to Your call. In the Name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
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