BLESSEDNESS OF GIVING

TEXT: PHILIPPIANS 4:15-20.
🔑KEY VERSE “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” (PHILIPPIANS 4:15).

A story was told of a very wealthy businessman in the United States who was committed to giving to foreign gospel mission. On one occasion, he decided to visit the mission field in an Asian country where his donations had been deployed for a church building project. As he got there, he was attracted by an unusual sight of a peasant farmer yoked to an ox ploughing a farmland. Curious, he asked why. He was deeply humbled when he learned that the farmer, without money but willing to contribute to the building of the church, had sold off the other ox and donated the proceeds towards the building project! The businessman learned a lesson in sacrificial giving.

In the passage under consideration, Paul the apostle commends the Philippian church for ministering to his needs. The church itself was a giving missionary church. It ministered to Paul’s needs during his travels. Paul appreciated not just the gift, but the spirit of love and devotion, which the church manifested.

Missionary support as with giving and welfare outreach to the needy in the household of faith is honoured and accepted by God as “an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well pleasing to God.”

What we give to the support of missionary work is regarded as an offering brought to God. The Lord regards whatever we do for one of the least of our brothers or sisters as done for Him. He wants us to always remember the poor and helpless ones in our midst. In return, He has promised to reward us in time and eternity.

✍THOUGHT FOR THE DAY God loves a cheerful giver.

BIBLE IN A YEAR 2 CHRONICLES 22-25.

MEDITATION

Some remarks on Christian giving

1. Christian giving should be directed to the needy ministers and saints, and not to make the rich richer vv14,16, 2 Corinthians 8:3,4.
2. The motivation for service to saints should not be reception of gifts or rewards from the people served, although when it is given it may be accepted and should be appreciated. God is the Rewarder, v17, 18.
3. Giving is a seed that yields in multiple fold if done cheerfully and for the right purpose v19, 2 Corinthians 9:10. For example, the Philippians only gave some gifts to Paul but they were rewarded back with multiplied, multidimensional blessings vv18,19.
4. While giving does not make one righteous, it is counted as righteousness to the righteous givers, v18, 2 Corinthians 9:9,10.
5. God is glorified through giving 2 Corinthians 9:12-14.
6. Ministers should encourage giving, not for the purpose of ministerial enrichment, but for the purpose of making their members partake of the blessings of giving v17.
7. There should be no compulsion, except persuasion v17, 2 Corinthians 8:8.
8. Giving should be proportional to income. In fact, it should go beyond and higher that that of the Old Testament I Corinthians 8:12-14.
9. Since it is a proof of our love to Christ and the saints, it should be given according, and if possible, beyond our ability 2 Corinthians 8:2-4.
10. It takes the grace of God to give the way God expects 2 Corinthians 8:7.
    Praise the Lord for giving His whole life as a gift to us🙏
    Ask for grace to be a cheerful giver like Jesus🙏
    Ask for the willing hearts and love to always willingly give the needy among Church members🙏
    Pray for the door of blessings of abundance to be opened for all members of the church🙏

HYMN Give of your best to the Master