Today’s passage: Philippians 4:14-20
Helpful thoughts:
- After teaching on contentment and strength in Christ regardless of his circumstances, Paul does need to thank the Philippian church for their gift.
- Their gift was not unnecessary. He did need to eat. But his desire was to allow the church’s giving to be an offering, a sacrifice pleasing to the Lord and fruit of their growth in Christ.
- Paul’s encouragement to the church in verse 19 gives evidence that this gift was a sacrifice for the church.
- We see the same heart in giving expressed to the church at Corinth in 2 Corinthians 9.
Questions to consider:
- Though we do not see anything about percentages mentioned in these passage, what principles do we find? What characteristics are being encouraged in the heart of Christian giving?
- How does the gospel change our perspective on giving? We do not give in order to earn righteousness or to buy a spot in heaven… How does our giving reflect and show the fruit of what God has already done for us?
- Are you experiencing the joy of giving? How have you seen that it is better to give than to receive (Acts 20:35)?