PHILIPPIANS 4:19 WAS EARNED
Memorise: Not because I desire a gift: but I
desire fruit that may abound to your account. - Philippians 4:17
Read: Philippians 4:14-19
14 Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my
affliction.
15 Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel,
when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning
giving and receiving, but ye only.
16 For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity.
17 Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your
account.
18 But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of
Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a
sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God.
19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in
glory by Christ Jesus.
MESSAGE
If you are enjoying God’s love, you must be ready to give something in return
to him as a demonstration of your love for Him. This was demonstrated by the
church at Philippi in today’s Bible reading. Paul reported that they were the
only ones who stood with him during the period of his trial and need. After he
left Macedonia, some churches used that as an excuse not to support him
anymore, but not the brethren at Philippi. Even after he travelled to
Thessalonica, they repeatedly sent provisions to meet his need there. Today,
some people still hide under the cover of distance to shy away from showing
love through giving. They would say “You are so far away and that is why it is
so difficult to send assistance to you.” If it is difficult to send assistance
now, it was much more difficult to do so then. As challenging as it was then,
the brethren in Philippi found a way around the difficulties and supported
Paul. They knew what they were doing. They become a major financial backbone of
the ministry of Paul. Paul declared that by virtue of their being so
sacrificial in giving, he was full, having all his needs met. It was based on
this that he prayed that God would supply all their needs in Philippians 4:19.
Just as you have needs, so does God have needs. If you can meet Gods needs, He
will surely meet yours. The project of expending God’s kingdom on earth has
needs. There is therefore a need to support anymore or any cause that is
dedicated to meeting these needs. Why did Paul not pray the same prayer for the
other churches? It is because a person has the responsibility to provoke the
blessings that come to him or her as an individual, family or church. Before
you expect so much from God, ask yourself what you have done to provoke what
you are expecting. As revealed in Philippians
4:17, know that everyone has an account
with God:
“Not because I desire a gift: but I
desire fruit that may abound to your account.”
Everything you give to God grows that account. It is when your account is full
that your harvest will come. The church at Philippi got their harvest. What
about you? What have you given to God in demonstration of your love for Him?
What contributions have you made to grow your local parish and meet their
needs? How have you met the needs of your pastor and his family?
Key Point: Can your pastor say like Paul that he is full and has no
needs as a result of your care?
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