Why Give?

Philippians 4 14-18

Why Give?

Philippi church was a young, vibrant local church with a missionary vision for the whole world, they were ready when other churches were not, to give to this cause.

No local church is on a biblical foundation without a strong missionary emphasis. 

A local church must sacrifice to see the Great Commission filled in any given generation.  Jesus said, “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation” (Mk. 16:15).

As Jesus sat across from the treasury of the temple and watched many rich people put in large sums of money, there came a poor widow and she gave in two small copper coins.

The poor woman, as a widow, would have had no source of income after her husband’s death, therefore the two small copper coins were all she had, yet she offered them to God.

Jesus said to his disciples this poor widow hath cast more in, than all those who have cast into the treasury.

So, Paul explains the same here by saying, ‘Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account.

Even though Paul wants to be clear that it was Christ that enabled him to face his various tribulations, he wants the Philippians to understand that their gift was joy upon joy.

Paul makes it clear that the Philippians were partnering with Paul in his ministry.

He is describing the fellowship that followers of Christ share, because such partnership and community marks a true Christian relationship.

Paul recalls how the Philippians repeatedly helped to meet his needs throughout his journey in Macedonia and even to Thessalonica, even though God alone could meet Paul’s needs, yet they were used by God to meet his needs.

He reiterates his selfless mentality by stating that he seeks the fruitful increase of the Philippians’ account rather than their gift itself.

As Jesus said in Matthew 6:19-20, Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust corrupt them, and where thieves break through and steal,

but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust nor get corrupted, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:

Too often, we either give less than we should or not at all because we are waiting for God to give us a greater ability to give. 

God expects us to give sacrificially, while trusting Him to provide, indeed, as we support the work of His kingdom, God will be faithful to support us.

Lets Pray:

Loving Father, we stand amazed at Your gracious bounty, knowing that You care about both the little things that we need today, as well as the eternal blessings that are being laid up for us in heaven, for which we praise Your holy name, in Christ Jesus, I pray, AMEN.