Philippians 4:14-19
I love that as Paul wraps up his letter to the church in Philippi, he thanks them for everything. Early on, they had given to Paul to support his ministry. By doing so, they partook in what he was doing. They were sharing in his sufferings and the gospel going forward. They gave to him as a sacrifice. They wanted to serve Paul in his needs and by doing so, they served God with their things. Paul describes them as a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, and pleasing to God. What an incredible example we see here from the Philippians! They made a sacrifice of their possessions and money to help support the gospel going forward.
Ministry is a weird thing in a way. We want to see the gospel going forward. We want to see the church grow. We want to hear the stories of the gospel reaching the world. However, we often forget that it can take resources to be able to do these things practically. We know that God supplies the church with what is needed and us in our own lives. What we often forget is that God wants us to partake in this as well. God wants us to give financially to the church for the sake of the gospel and to do it as a sacrifice to Him. This can be very difficult to do because we rely on money to live. By giving sacrificially, we are worshipping God and showing that we trust in Him with everything, even what we live on. That we will rely on Him rather than what we have. God also uses what we give to give practical resources for ministries to function. The church needs money to function. To pay for a building, utilities, programs, staff, helping people, etc. When we give, we know that it helps the ministry continue and go forward in a practical way. And in doing so, we are also serving God by giving and trusting in Him to provide our needs.
Paul is saying thank you to the Philippians for their sacrifice. It has practically helped support him in his ministry journey. Paul is so thankful and filled with joy knowing that the church gave their possessions as an offering to the Lord first. To see the church loving the Lord and wanting to see the gospel go forward, what a joy! Paul was incredibly thankful for the Philippians in many ways. In the same way, we as staff members and pastors of the church are incredibly thankful for your sacrifice to the Lord! It helps support the ministry and us to continue. Let us always look to be serving and glorifying our great God in every way!
I love that as Paul wraps up his letter to the church in Philippi, he thanks them for everything. Early on, they had given to Paul to support his ministry. By doing so, they partook in what he was doing. They were sharing in his sufferings and the gospel going forward. They gave to him as a sacrifice. They wanted to serve Paul in his needs and by doing so, they served God with their things. Paul describes them as a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, and pleasing to God. What an incredible example we see here from the Philippians! They made a sacrifice of their possessions and money to help support the gospel going forward.
Ministry is a weird thing in a way. We want to see the gospel going forward. We want to see the church grow. We want to hear the stories of the gospel reaching the world. However, we often forget that it can take resources to be able to do these things practically. We know that God supplies the church with what is needed and us in our own lives. What we often forget is that God wants us to partake in this as well. God wants us to give financially to the church for the sake of the gospel and to do it as a sacrifice to Him. This can be very difficult to do because we rely on money to live. By giving sacrificially, we are worshipping God and showing that we trust in Him with everything, even what we live on. That we will rely on Him rather than what we have. God also uses what we give to give practical resources for ministries to function. The church needs money to function. To pay for a building, utilities, programs, staff, helping people, etc. When we give, we know that it helps the ministry continue and go forward in a practical way. And in doing so, we are also serving God by giving and trusting in Him to provide our needs.
Paul is saying thank you to the Philippians for their sacrifice. It has practically helped support him in his ministry journey. Paul is so thankful and filled with joy knowing that the church gave their possessions as an offering to the Lord first. To see the church loving the Lord and wanting to see the gospel go forward, what a joy! Paul was incredibly thankful for the Philippians in many ways. In the same way, we as staff members and pastors of the church are incredibly thankful for your sacrifice to the Lord! It helps support the ministry and us to continue. Let us always look to be serving and glorifying our great God in every way!
Posted in Devotional