“I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid more than once when I was in need. Not that I desire your gifts; what I desire is that more be credited to your account. I have received full payment and have more than enough. 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.”

‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭10‬, ‭14‬-‭18‬ ‭NIV‬‬

It seems that Paul was reluctant to end his letter. He kept adding to his “finally” with more thoughts before he said goodbye. Perhaps he was so aware of his impending death that he wanted to teach them as much as he could before he was no longer with them. 

“Oh, by the way…thank you for your gift via Epaphroditus,”…but, for Paul, just saying “thank you“ wasn’t enough. This was not the first time the Philippians had sent him money but…it wasn’t about the money. The money was the messenger…first, that they cared about him,…second, that they were aware of his needs and…third, that they did something about it. 

More than once, these people were the only ones who sent Paul money when he was travelling around and probably unable to do what brought him an income. 

However, for Paul, the money was not the issue. What the money said and did was of greater importance to him. What did their gifts say to him? 

“Not that I desire your gifts; what I desire is that more be credited to your account.”

First…they cared enough about him to look after his needs. That spoke volumes about the love that grace has taught them. Generosity and consideration towards him were the fruit of their union with Jesus. That pleased Paul more than the money itself. 

Second…their generosity was credited to their heavenly “bank account”. 

“But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭6‬:‭20‬-‭21‬ ‭NIV‬‬

 Paul instructed Timothy…

“Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.”

‭‭1 Timothy‬ ‭6‬:‭17‬-‭19‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Wow! Who would have thought that giving money to someone in need would have such a profound effect on one’s own eternal status?

Third…God also had a perspective of their gift to Paul. 

“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.”

God views whatever we do for someone in need as an acceptable sacrifice offered to Him. 

“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭25‬:‭40‬ ‭NIV‬‬

So, Paul elevated the simple act of giving to the level of an act of worship…a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. 

Imagine how much poorer we would have been had Paul not added his thanks about the money the Philippians had sent him!  

To be continued