Philippians 4:10, 14-17 NLT
[10] “How I praise the Lord that you are concerned about me again. I know you have always been concerned for me, but you didn’t have the chance to help me….
[14] Even so, you have done well to share with me in my present difficulty. [15] As you know, you Philippians were the only ones who gave me financial help when I first brought you the Good News and then traveled on from Macedonia. No other church did this. [16] Even when I was in Thessalonica you sent help more than once. [17] I don’t say this because I want a gift from you. Rather, I want you to receive a reward for your kindness.”

Paul is drawing his letter to a close, tying up loose ends before he sends it to his beloved fellow believers in Philippi. He has one or two things on his mind before he signs off.

This church family was the only one that helped him financially. It was time to mention their kindness and to put it in its correct perspective, a good opportunity to teach these people the real meaning of generosity.

One thing Paul had never done in all his ministry across Asia Minor and Europe…he had never exercised his right to financial support from the churches. It was a principle he taught…

Galatians 6:6 NLT
[6] “Those who are taught the word of God should provide for their teachers, sharing all good things with them.”

… but never demanded or expected. In fact, since Paul was a tent maker by trade, he spent many days and nights making and selling tents to support himself so that he would not be a drain on the churches. Like Nehemiah, he didn’t demand his right to be paid for his work in the service of the Lord.

Acts of the Apostles 18:1, 3 NLT
[1] “Then Paul left Athens and went to Corinth…
[3] Paul lived and worked with them, (Priscilla and Aquila), for they were tentmakers just as he was.”

1 Thessalonians 2:9 NLT
[9] “Don’t you remember, dear brothers and sisters, how hard we worked among you? Night and day we toiled to earn a living so that we would not be a burden to any of you as we preached God’s Good News to you.”

Acts of the Apostles 20:34 NLT
[34] “You know that these hands of mine have worked to supply my own needs and even the needs of those who were with me.”

Why did Paul forgo his right to financial support? Was it because the believers were experiencing severe hardships? Even government policy descriminated against them by denying them access to the markets if they refused to offer sacrifice to Caesar.

Paul chose to suffer hardship himself rather than put fellow believers under pressure to support him. So, he recognised the sacrifice they made by collecting and sending money to him more than once.

However, was their gift a sacrifice just for him?

Philippians 4:18-19 NLT
[18] “At the moment I have all I need—and more! I am generously supplied with the gifts you sent me with Epaphroditus. They are a sweet-smelling sacrifice that is acceptable and pleasing TO GOD. [19] And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.”

No, far from it! Paul recognised, in their sacrificial giving, that God, not he, was both the source and the goal of their sacrifice. As in all of life, their union with the Father through faith in Jesus was the centre of their existence. No matter what they did, it was through Him, for Him, and to Him.

Romans 11:36 NLT
[36] “For everything comes from him and exists by his power and is intended for his glory. All glory to him forever! Amen.”

Sacrifice of any kind, then, is not about giving up or giving away. Sacrifice is always about making an exchange, less for more, the material for the spiritual. Paul stated this principle clearly. Their sacrifice was not for him but to the Lord, and the Lord would reward them with His own abundant supply.

Unfortunately, as often happens with Scripture, many people claim part two of Paul’s teaching and ignore part one. No, God doesn’t willy-nilly supply all our needs just because we ask Him. He has promised to meet our needs as we offer Him the sacrifice of generosity, meeting the needs of others.

What a difference! God is not just a benevolent billionaire “Santa Claus” who dishes out money when we need it. He works according to His divine economic system, using currency to create a current.

Jesus set this plan in motion in the context of the New Covenant.

Matthew 6:7-8, 33 NLT
[7]“When you pray, don’t babble on and on as the Gentiles do. They think their prayers are answered merely by repeating their words again and again. [8] Don’t be like them, for your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him!…
[33] Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.”

The trouble is that we tend to treat God like a vending machine rather than a loving Father. If God is truly our Father, then all our interactions with Him must be as children with a perfect Father.

As the Father of a global family, God wants us to care about one another. He gives us opportunity to show our love to Him by caring in practical ways for His children. By giving to others in their need, we create a current of our currency that keeps God’s resources circulating.

2 Corinthians 8:13-14 NLT
[13] “Of course, I don’t mean your giving should make life easy for others and hard for yourselves. I only mean that there should be some equality. [14] Right now you have plenty and can help those who are in need. Later, they will have plenty and can share with you when you need it. In this way, things will be equal.”

God’s economic policy does something even bigger than taking care of financial needs. It binds people together in love and unity and…God gets the glory.

2 Corinthians 9:7-8, 13-14 NLT
[7]” You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” [8] And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others…
[13] As a result of your ministry, they will give glory to God. For your generosity to them and to all believers will prove that you are obedient to the Good News of Christ. [14] And they will pray for you with deep affection because of the overflowing grace God has given to you.”

This whole process is a God-idea! And it works! Paul himself expressed gratitude for this “gift”, not the gift of Jesus, which is not the context, but the gift of giving that produces such an amazing outcome. God does everything in and for Christ’s body that will result in… more love… greater unity…and worship that belongs to Him alone.

One last comment. Notice how Paul is also a grateful recipient. Some of God’s children love to give but they don’t like to receive. When we refuse to receive with the same happy attitude as we give, we rob the giver of the blessing of giving.

So, let’s enter into the flow of giving and receiving, beimg a part of the current that flows in God’s kingdom, and contributing to the strength of the love and unity in the body that glorify the Lord.