May 26, 2025 -- Philippians 4:18-20 -- Sacrificial Giving
/People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!
I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. 19 And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 20 To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.
Philippians 4:18-20 ESV
Sometimes someone else expresses the meaning of a passage so clearly, I can’t help but quote him. That is why I am quoting Sinclair Ferguson on this passage.
This, then, for Paul is the wonderful thing about the Philippians’ gifts (v.18):
they reflect the ministry of all believers as priests before the Lord. Not only
have they exercised the priesthood of all believers in praying for Paul; their
gifts have been like thank-offerings to the Lord, with which he has been
pleased. What a delight it was to the apostle to think that these Christians he
had nurtured were also doing things that were a delight to the Lord!
To give sacrificially, as the Philippians did, means that we may be in
danger of impoverishing ourselves (cf. 2 Cor. 11;8). Paul has some words of
encouragement: their needs will be supplied, in turn, by the Lord, according to
his riches in glory (v. 19). He is reminding them of the principle, illustrated
frequently through-out Scripture, but powerfully enunciated by Jesus himself:
whatever we yield up to him we will regain again and again (Luke 18:28-30).
Sinclair Ferguson: Let’s Study Ephesians, page 112.
He then asks three penetrating questions:
Am I really concerned for the welfare of the Lord’s servants?
Do I regard my Christian stewardship, particularly although not exclusively of money, as a partnership?
Do I really believe God will supply what I need if I give sacrificially?
Ibid, page 113.
Grant us, O Lord, to pass this day in gladness and peace, without stumbling and without stain; that reaching the eventide victorious over all temptation, we may praise thee, the eternal God, who art blessed, and dost govern all things, world without end. Amen.
Divine Service Book for The Armed Forces, “IN THE MORNING'“, 1950, page 32
https://youtu.be/9rZ8k9m2hwo?si=Uzx9_hojrmnzt--O Give Me Jesus
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